Judges 20:36

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

حِينَئِذٍ، أدرَكَ بَنُو بَنْيَامِينَ أنَّهُمْ هُزِمُوا. وَأفسَحَ بَنُو إسْرَائِيلَ مَجَالًا لِبَنِي بَنْيَامِينَ لِيَخْرُجُوا. لِأنَّ بَنِي إسْرَائِيلَ كَانُوا يَعْتَمِدُونَ عَلَى القُوَّاتِ الكَامِنَةِ الَّتِي تَمَرْكَزَتْ ضِدَّ جِبعَةَ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes a battle where the Israelites let the Benjamites think they were winning, but in reality, they had set up a trap. The Israelites wanted the Benjamites to retreat to Gibeah, where they had hidden soldiers waiting to ambush them. The main message is about strategic deception in warfare.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing hide-and-seek. Your friends pretend to be hiding in plain sight, but they actually have a secret hiding spot. When you think you've found them, they jump out from the secret spot and surprise you. That's kind of what the Israelites did to trick the Benjamites.

Historical Background

The Book of Judges was likely compiled by various authors and edited by a final redactor, possibly during the time of King David or Solomon. This particular verse is part of a larger narrative detailing a civil war between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin. The setting is the early monarchy period, around 1100-1000 BCE.

Living It Out Today

In modern terms, this verse can teach us about strategic planning and the importance of teamwork. Think about a project at work where your team decides to let a competitor think they're winning while you're secretly preparing a big surprise to outdo them.

Topics

• strategy
• warfare
• deception
• teamwork
• planning
• surprise

Related Verses

• Joshua 8:14-15
• 1 Samuel 15:32-33
• Ezekiel 21:22-23
• Matthew 10:16
• Romans 16:19

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Israelites use deception in this battle?

The Israelites used deception to outsmart their opponents and gain an upper hand in the battle. This strategy helped them achieve victory through careful planning and teamwork.

What can we learn from the Israelites' strategy in Judges 20:36?

We can learn about the importance of strategic planning and teamwork. Just as the Israelites planned their ambush, we can plan and work together in our daily lives to achieve our goals effectively.

How does this verse relate to modern warfare?

Modern warfare also employs strategic deception, similar to what is described in this verse. Armies plan and use various tactics to outmaneuver and surprise their opponents.

Why is it important to understand the historical context of this verse?

Understanding the historical context helps us grasp the full meaning of the verse, including the cultural practices and the specific circumstances that led to the actions described.