Bible Strands
Judges 20:29
So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes Israel's military maneuver immediately after the Lord commands them to fight the Benjamites the next day. Israel positions troops around Gibeah following the divine directive in Judges 20:28.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיָּשֶׂם (va.ya.sem) literally means "and he set," describing the placement of אֹרְבִים ('orvim), "ambushers," around הַגִּבְעָה (ha.giv'ah), "Gibeah." The adverb סָבִיב (saviy) specifies this positioning as "round about."
The thread — This tactical deployment echoes the ambush strategy at Ai in Joshua 8:4 and mirrors David's circumferential warfare in 2 Samuel 5:23. The narrative continues with the select men's frontal assault in Judges 20:34.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition of how divine command translates into coordinated human action. It requires the reader to observe the precise execution of a military plan without adding theological commentary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
Cross-references
- Joshua 8:4 with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready.
- 2 Samuel 5:23 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
- Judges 20:34 Then 10,000 select men from all Israel made a frontal assault against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce. But the Benjamites did not realize that disaster was upon them.