And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals the terrifying completeness of the Israelites' retribution. The phrase "the city, men and beasts and all that they found" isn't just describing the destruction of soldiers, but the systematic extermination of the entire tribe—men, women, children, and possessions—as if they were foreign enemies under a holy ban.
And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After defeating the Benjamite army in battle and destroying the city of Gibeah, the Israelites continued their campaign of retribution. This verse describes the thorough devastation of the remaining cities of Benjamin, leaving virtually nothing and no one alive, fulfilling a vow made by all Israel. This action concludes the brutal military campaign against the tribe of Benjamin, setting the stage for the subsequent problem of the tribe's near extinction.
This verse describes an almost unimaginable level of destruction. Why would the Israelites go to such extreme lengths against their own kinsmen?
Judges 20:48 paints a grim picture: not only were the remaining men of Benjamin struck down, but also their cities, their animals, and every town was set ablaze. This wasn't just a military victory; it was an act of 'total extermination,' as described by commentators. The tribe of Benjamin was treated as if under a divine 'ban' (or 'herem' in Hebrew), meaning it was devoted to utter destruction.
This severe action stemmed from the tribe's egregious sin in protecting the violent perpetrators of the atrocity in Gibeah and the subsequent, near-annihilation of the Israelite army. The oath sworn by the Israelites at Mizpeh to put to death anyone who didn't join the battle also played a role, leading to the destruction of Jabesh-gilead as well.
The severity of this act is undeniable. While commentators grapple with justifying it, the text emphasizes the tribe's collective guilt and the oath taken. It serves as a stark illustration of how sin, unaddressed and protected, can lead to devastating, far-reaching consequences for an entire community.
The aftermath of this conflict is marked by a chilling ferocity. What does this reveal about the Israelites' state of heart?
The actions described in Judges 20:48 are fueled by a potent mix of righteous anger and brutal vengeance. The Israelites' feelings were 'exasperated' by the massive loss of 40,000 men and the horrific crime committed against the Levite and his concubine.
This verse shows the devastating cost of unchecked fury. While the initial pursuit of justice was necessary to address the deep sin within Benjamin, the subsequent sweep of extermination indicates that military passion and perhaps a desire for absolute retribution took over. The text mentions 'military fury' as a contributing factor.
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It's a painful reminder that even when pursuing what is right, the human heart can easily stray into excessive cruelty. The swiftness and totality of the destruction—striking down 'men and beasts' and burning entire cities—demonstrates how easily vengeance can become a consuming force, leaving little room for mercy.
Understand the original words
pi cherev · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A phrase denoting the lethal edge of a weapon, symbolizing total destruction or divine judgment carried out through military action. It reflects the finality and severity of the judgment enacted against the target.
This brutal aftermath reveals the terrifying consequences of the oath taken by the tribes. It highlights the extreme measures and fierce determination to eradicate the sin that had corrupted Israel, treating the entire tribe of Benjamin as utterly 'devoted' or cursed, similar to the Canaanites.
c. 1100 BC
Levite's concubine abused
A Levite's concubine is brutally abused and dies, leading to a national crisis.
c. 1100 BC
Israelites summon Benjamin
The tribes of Israel gather and demand the tribe of Benjamin surrender the guilty men. Benjamin refuses.
c. 1100 BC
First battle against Benjamin
The tribes of Israel engage the tribe of Benjamin in battle but suffer heavy losses, retreating to Mizpah.
c. 1100 BC
Second battle against Benjamin
The Israelites are defeated again by the Benjamites, losing another 18,000 men.
c. 1100 BC
Israelite strategy shift
After humbling themselves, the Israelites set an ambush and lure the Benjamite army away from Gibeah.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
Destruction of Benjamin's cities
The Israelites systematically destroy the cities of Benjamin, killing all inhabitants and livestock, and setting the cities ablaze.
c. 1100 BC
Tribe of Benjamin nearly wiped out
Only 600 Benjamite men survive by fleeing to the rock of Rimmon, leaving the tribe on the brink of extinction.
This passage describes the complete destruction of cities and their inhabitants, mirroring the total eradication of Benjaminite cities and people in Judges 20:48.
Joshua 6:21The destruction of Jericho, where everything in the city was put to the sword and burned, serves as a precedent for the absolute destruction carried out against Benjamin's cities and people.
Judges 21:10This verse describes the similar extermination of Jabesh-Gilead, including men, women, and children, due to their failure to join the Israelites at Mizpeh, echoing the severe judgment on Benjamin.
1 Samuel 15:3This passage discusses God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and everything they owned, providing a theological backdrop for the extreme measures taken against the tribe of Benjamin.
gillJudges 20:48: "And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to."
And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin,.... After they had destroyed their army, the city of Gibeah, and the inhabitants of it: not content with this, in their wrath and fury, turned and went: and smote them with the edg…
pooleJudges 20:48: "And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to."
Having destroyed those that came to Gibeah, and into the field, now they follow them home to their several habitations. The men of every city; comprehensively taken, so as to include women and children. If this seem harsh and bloody, either it ma…
This verse reveals the terrifying completeness of the Israelites' retribution. The phrase "the city, men and beasts and all that they found" isn't just describing the destruction of soldiers, but the systematic extermination of the entire tribe—men, women, children, and possessions—as if they were foreign enemies under a holy ban.
After defeating the Benjamite army in battle and destroying the city of Gibeah, the Israelites continued their campaign of retribution. This verse describes the thorough devastation of the remaining cities of Benjamin, leaving virtually nothing and no one alive, fulfilling a vow made by all Israel. This action concludes the brutal military campaign against the tribe of Benjamin, setting the stage for the subsequent problem of the tribe's near extinction.
After defeating the Benjamite army in battle and destroying the city of Gibeah, the Israelites continued their campaign of retribution. This verse describes the thorough devastation of the remaining cities of Benjamin, leaving virtually nothing and no one alive, fulfilling a vow made by all Israel. This action concludes the brutal military campaign against the tribe of Benjamin, setting the stage for the subsequent problem of the tribe's near extinction.
"And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire." — This verse reveals the terrifying completeness of the Israelites' retribution. The phrase "the city, men and beasts and all that they found" isn't just describing the destruction of soldiers, but the…
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Last reviewed October 2026