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.
The men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them down with the sword, killing the men in every city, the animals, and everything they found. They also set fire to all the cities they came across.
This verse describes the complete destruction that the Israelites brought upon the tribe of Benjamin, killing people and animals and burning cities.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Judges, during a period when Israel was governed by judges instead of kings, a brutal crime in the tribe of Benjamin, specifically the rape and murder of a Levite's concubine, led to outrage among the other tribes. This sparked a civil war as the Israelites demanded justice, but Benjamin refused to surrender the guilty, resulting in a massive battle. The verse describes the devastating aftermath, where the victorious tribes destroyed Benjamin's cities, people, and livestock as an act of retribution.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.