New International Version The Israelites had arranged with the ambush that they should send up a great cloud of smoke from the city, New Living Translation They had arranged to send up a large cloud of smoke from the town as a signal. English Standard Version Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city Berean Standard Bible The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, Berean Literal Bible And there was a signal between the men of Israel and between those lying in wait, that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise up from the city, King James Bible Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. New King James Version Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise up from the city, New American Standard Bible Now the agreed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city. NASB 1995 Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city. NASB 1977 Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city. Legacy Standard Bible Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city. Amplified Bible Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city. Berean Annotated Bible The men of Israel (he wrestles with God) had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, Christian Standard Bible The men of Israel had a prearranged signal with the men in ambush: when they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, Holman Christian Standard Bible The men of Israel had a prearranged signal with the men in ambush: when they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, American Standard Version Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait was, that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city. English Revised Version Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait was, that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city. GOD'S WORD® Translation The men of Israel had arranged with those waiting in ambush that they would make a big column of smoke rise from the city as a signal. Good News Translation The main Israelite army and the men in hiding had arranged a signal. When they saw a big cloud of smoke going up from the town, International Standard Version Meanwhile, the army of Israel had arranged to signal their soldiers who had been hiding in ambush by sending up a cloud of smoke from the city. NET Bible The Israelites and the men hiding in ambush had arranged a signal. When the men hiding in ambush sent up a smoke signal from the city, New Heart English Bible Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city. Webster's Bible Translation Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke to rise from the city. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, World English Bible Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the appointed sign of the men of Israel with the ambush was their causing a great volume of smoke to go up from the city. Berean Literal Bible And there was a signal between the men of Israel and between those lying in wait, that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise up from the city, Young's Literal Translation And there was the appointed sign to the men of Israel with the ambush -- their causing to go up a great volume of smoke from the city. Smith's Literal Translation And there was an appointment to the men of Israel with the ambush for them to raise up a great ascending of smoke from the city. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow the children of Israel had given a sign to them, whom they had laid in ambushes, that after they had taken the city, they should make a fire: that by the smoke rising on high, they might shew that the city was taken. Catholic Public Domain Version Now the sons of Israel had given a sign to those whom they had stationed in ambushes, so that, after they had seized the city, they would light a fire, and by the smoke ascending on high, they would show that the city was captured. New American Bible The arrangement the men of Israel had with the men in ambush was that they would send up a smoke signal from the city, New Revised Standard Version Now the agreement between the main body of Israel and the men in ambush was that when they sent up a cloud of smoke out of the city Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow there was an appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush, which was that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And there was a signal to the men of Israel with the ambush, to send them up as smoke would go up from the city OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait, that they should make a great beacon of smoke rise up out of the city.-- Brenton Septuagint Translation And the children of Israel had a signal of battle with the liers in wait, that they should send up a signal of smoke from the city. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Civil War Against Benjamin…37The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. 38The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, 39the men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.”… Cross References The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: Joshua 8:18 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out your battle lance toward Ai, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out his battle lance toward Ai, Joshua 8:19 and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire. Joshua 8:12-13 Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. / So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley. When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, Joshua 8:20 When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers. Joshua 8:21 When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai. Revelation 18:18 and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. Numbers 31:3-6 So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them. / Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.” / So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war. … 1 Samuel 14:12-14 So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” / So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. / In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land. 2 Samuel 5:24-25 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 2 Kings 3:20-24 The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land. / Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border. / When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. … Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. Jeremiah 50:40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors,” declares the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there. Ezekiel 38:22 I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. Hosea 10:14 the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children. Amos 2:2 So I will send fire against Moab to consume the citadels of Kerioth. Moab will die in tumult, amid war cries and the sound of the ram’s horn. Matthew 24:15-16 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Treasury of Scripture Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. sign. Jump to Previous Ambush Ambushers Appointed Arranged Attack Beacon Causing City Cloud Israel Liers Making Pillar Rise Sign Signal Smoke Surprise Volume WaitJump to Next Ambush Ambushers Appointed Arranged Attack Beacon Causing City Cloud Israel Liers Making Pillar Rise Sign Signal Smoke Surprise Volume WaitJudges 20 1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong8. The decree of the assembly 12. The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites 18. The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand 26. They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred. The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: Israel’s forces coordinated their attack in advance, assigning the ambush force a clear signal to begin the decisive stage of the battle. The plan combined disciplined military action with the judgment God had authorized against Benjamin. Jos 8:18 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out your battle lance… When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, The rising smoke showed that the ambush had captured Gibeah and set it on fire. It alerted the main Israelite force that the city had fallen and that Benjamin’s army was now cut off from its base and retreat. Jos 8:20 When the men of Ai turned and looked back,… Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe collective tribes of Israel, who are engaged in a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin due to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah. 2. The Men in Ambush A group of Israelite soldiers strategically positioned to attack the city of Gibeah as part of a military tactic. 3. The City of Gibeah A Benjamite city where a heinous crime occurred, leading to the conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. 4. The Signal A prearranged sign involving a great cloud of smoke, used to coordinate the attack and ensure the Israelites' victory over the Benjamites. 5. The Tribe of Benjamin One of the twelve tribes of Israel, which is defending itself against the other tribes due to the actions of some of its members. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinThe events in Judges 20:38 are a direct result of the sin committed in Gibeah. Sin has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only individuals but entire communities. The Importance of Unity The Israelites' ability to coordinate and execute a complex military strategy underscores the importance of unity and cooperation among God's people. Strategic Planning in Spiritual Warfare Just as the Israelites used a signal and ambush, Christians are called to be strategic in their spiritual battles, using wisdom and discernment. God's Justice and Mercy While the passage highlights God's justice in dealing with sin, it also points to His mercy, as the conflict ultimately leads to reconciliation and restoration. The Role of Leadership Effective leadership is crucial in times of crisis. The Israelites' leaders played a key role in organizing the ambush and ensuring the success of their plan. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 20:38?2. How does Judges 20:38 illustrate the importance of following God's battle strategies? 3. What can we learn about obedience from the signal of "a great cloud"? 4. How does this verse connect to other biblical battles involving divine intervention? 5. In what ways can we seek God's guidance in our personal conflicts today? 6. How does the use of signals in Judges 20:38 apply to spiritual warfare? 7. What is the significance of the smoke signal in Judges 20:38? 8. How does Judges 20:38 reflect God's justice in warfare? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 20:38? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 20? (38) signal which had been agreed upon. That they should make.--Literally, multiply to cause to ascend. The actual words of the agreed on signal are quoted. For the word hereb (which is an imperative) some MSS. read chereb, "a sword," and this is adopted by the LXX. (Cod. A). But the flash of a sword would not be seen at such a distance, and the word gives no good sense. Otherwise it would remind us of the shield, which was seen to flash in the sun as a traitorous signal from Athens to the Persians, just before the battle of Marathon. A great flame with smoke.--The margin gives elevation for "flame." It means a column of smoke, or "beacon." (Comp. Jeremiah 6:1 : "Set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem.") Judges 20:38 shows Israel acting in unified obedience, blending careful planning with courageous faith. A hidden ambush waits, a visible cloud confirms, and God’s justice erupts from within the city itself. Believers today are called to the same balance: united devotion, wise strategy, and readiness for God’s decisive signal.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The menלְאִ֥ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc had arranged הָיָ֛ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a signal וְהַמּוֹעֵ֗ד (wə·ham·mō·w·‘êḏ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with the men in ambush: הָאֹרֵ֑ב (hā·’ō·rêḇ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 693: To lie in wait When they sent up לְהַעֲלוֹתָ֛ם (lə·ha·‘ă·lō·w·ṯām) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively a great הֶ֕רֶב (he·reḇ) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great cloud מַשְׂאַ֥ת (maś·’aṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 4864: A raising, rising, an utterance, a beacon, a present of smoke הֶעָשָׁ֖ן (he·‘ā·šān) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6227: Smoke from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the city, הָעִֽיר׃ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement Additonal Resources Judges 20:38 Blue Letter BibleJudges 20:38 Bible Gateway Judges 20:38 Bible.com Judges 20:38 NIV |
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