Judges 20:38
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
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This wasn't just any smoke signal; it was a carefully orchestrated beacon, a fiery declaration that the trap had sprung. The detail of a "great cloud of smoke" emphasizes the sheer scale and intensity of the fire, ensuring it would be unmistakably visible from afar and confirming the plan's success.
After two failed attempts to defeat the tribe of Benjamin, the Israelites devised a new strategy: setting an ambush around the city of Gibeah. This verse describes the agreed-upon signal that would tell the main Israelite army when the ambushers had successfully entered and set fire to the city, indicating it was time to attack. The rising smoke would be the cue for the wider Israelite force to advance and complete the destruction of Benjamin.
The battle against Benjamin wasn't just a chaotic free-for-all. It was a meticulously planned operation, revealing the seriousness of sin and the necessity of righteous judgment.
The story in Judges 20 describes a well-coordinated military strategy to deal with the extreme sin of the men of Gibeah. Israel, though grieved by the actions of Benjamin, planned a tactical victory.
The Plan Unfolds
That rising smoke wasn't just a fire; it was a dramatic, visible sign that God's judgment was unfolding as planned.
The "great cloud of smoke" was a crucial signal visible from a distance. It communicated that the ambush had succeeded and the city was being overtaken.
This wasn't just about military tactics; it was about executing divine justice. The smoke served as a stark announcement that the terrible sin committed in Gibeah was being dealt with decisively. It’s a powerful image of consequence and accountability.
Understand the original words
mas'eth · Hebrew Noun
A sign or mark used to convey a message or initiate a predetermined action. In a tactical or theological sense, it represents an objective indicator that a specific divine or strategic command has been fulfilled and that the next stage of action must begin.
This verse reveals a crucial tactical element in a brutal civil war between Israelite tribes. The signal fire highlights the desperate measures and elaborate stratagems employed in this devastating conflict.
c. 1100 BC
Tribal Warfare Escalates
Following the horrific incident in Gibeah, the other tribes of Israel are enraged and mobilize against the tribe of Benjamin, leading to widespread conflict and significant loss of life.
c. 1100 BC
Siege of Gibeah Begins
The Israelite tribes launch a military campaign against the city of Gibeah, the stronghold of the offending Benjamites. This marks the start of a prolonged and brutal conflict.
c. 1100 BC
Israelite Ambush Plan Devised
Facing initial defeats, the Israelite commanders devise a new strategy, including a large group of soldiers hidden as an ambush force around Gibeah.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
Signal Fire Indicates Success
A pre-arranged signal, a large column of smoke rising from Gibeah, is to alert the main Israelite army that the ambush force has successfully entered and captured the city.
This passage also describes a signal of fire and smoke being used as a beacon, highlighting the strategic use of smoke signals in ancient warfare, similar to the scenario in Judges.
Joshua 8:9This verse details a similar military stratagem used in the capture of Ai, where a hidden ambush was signaled to the main army, demonstrating a recurring tactic in Israel's history.
2 Samuel 14:20This passage describes a woman using smoke as a signal to her exiled son, showing how smoke could be a recognized and effective method of communication over distances.
Isaiah 18:3The imagery of raising a signal on a mountain and blowing a trumpet is used here, paralleling the idea of a visible, pre-arranged sign intended to be seen by a distant group.
gillJudges 20:38: "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."
Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait,.... Or an appointed time (z) as the Targum; so Kimchi and Abarbinel. There was a time fixed, at which the men of Israel proposed to be at Baaltamar, exactly when the Benjaminites would be drawn at a proper distance from the city, and then the liers…
clarkeJudges 20:38: "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."
Now there was an appointed sign - From this verse to the end of the chapter we have the details of the same operations which are mentioned, in a general way, in the preceding part of the chapter.
This wasn't just any smoke signal; it was a carefully orchestrated beacon, a fiery declaration that the trap had sprung. The detail of a "great cloud of smoke" emphasizes the sheer scale and intensity of the fire, ensuring it would be unmistakably visible from afar and confirming the plan's success.
After two failed attempts to defeat the tribe of Benjamin, the Israelites devised a new strategy: setting an ambush around the city of Gibeah. This verse describes the agreed-upon signal that would tell the main Israelite army when the ambushers had successfully entered and set fire to the city, indicating it was time to attack. The rising smoke would be the cue for the wider Israelite force to advance and complete the destruction of Benjamin.
After two failed attempts to defeat the tribe of Benjamin, the Israelites devised a new strategy: setting an ambush around the city of Gibeah. This verse describes the agreed-upon signal that would tell the main Israelite army when the ambushers had successfully entered and set fire to the city, indicating it was time to attack. The rising smoke would be the cue for the wider Israelite force to advance and complete the destruction of Benjamin.
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c. 1100 BC
Destruction of Benjamin
Following the successful ambush and signal, the Israelites systematically destroy Gibeah and the tribe of Benjamin, leaving only a small remnant of men.
"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" — This wasn't just any smoke signal; it was a carefully orchestrated beacon, a fiery declaration that the trap had sprung. The detail of a "great cloud of smoke" emphasizes the sheer scale and intensit…
