What does Judges 20:45 mean?
"And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them." - Judges 20:45
The Bible verse Judges 20:45 in the King James Version (KJV) reads: "And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them."
To understand the context and meaning of this verse, we must first look at the broader context of the book of Judges. The book of Judges is set in the time period after the Israelites had settled in the Promised Land, but before the establishment of a monarchy in Israel. During this time, the people of Israel were governed by various judges who were raised up by God to deliver them from their enemies and lead them back to obedience to God's law.
In Judges 19-21, we read about a gruesome and tragic event known as the "Concubine in Gibeah." A Levite man and his concubine were traveling through the territory of the tribe of Benjamin when they sought shelter in the city of Gibeah. However, the men of Gibeah demonstrated extreme wickedness and violence, resulting in the sexual assault and murder of the concubine. The Levite then cut her body into twelve pieces and sent them to the twelve tribes of Israel, resulting in a call to action against the tribe of Benjamin.
The verse Judges 20:45 occurs in the aftermath of a series of battles between the other tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. The other tribes had gathered together to confront the tribe of Benjamin and demand justice for the atrocity committed in Gibeah. After several battles, the tribe of Benjamin suffered heavy losses and was eventually defeated.
In Judges 20:45, we read that the defeated tribe of Benjamin turned and fled towards the wilderness, only to be pursued by the other tribes of Israel. The pursuit led to further bloodshed as the men of Benjamin were slaughtered in the highways and in the city of Gidom.
The violence depicted in this verse and the broader narrative of Judges 19-21 is undoubtedly disturbing and troubling. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the depths of human depravity. It also highlights the destructive power of division and the tragic consequences of turning away from God's moral law.
In a broader theological context, the events recorded in Judges 20:45 also point to the need for justice and the consequences of failing to uphold God's standards of righteousness. The tribe of Benjamin's refusal to hold the perpetrators of the Gibeah atrocity accountable ultimately led to their own downfall. This serves as a warning against the dangers of tolerating sin and injustice within our communities and the destructive consequences that follow.
Symbolically, the pursuit and slaughter of the tribe of Benjamin also foreshadow the judgment that God will ultimately bring upon those who persist in unrepentant sin. It serves as a reminder of God's role as a just judge who holds all people accountable for their actions.
Ultimately, while the violence and tragedy in Judges 20:45 may be difficult to comprehend, it serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of upholding justice and righteousness. It also points to the need for a Savior who can deliver us from the cycle of sin and judgement, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
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Judges 20:45 - "And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them."
"And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them." - Judges 20:45
Ezekiel 20:45 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Luke 20:45 - "¶ Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,"
Judges 9:45 - "And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt."
Genesis 45:20 - "Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's."
Judges 15:20 - "And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years."
Ezekiel 23:45 - "¶ And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands."
"¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 20:45
Ezekiel 45:20 - "And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house."
Judges 20:29 - "And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah."
Judges 20:20 - "And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah."
"¶ Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples," - Luke 20:45
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 5:20 - "They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera."
Judges 21:20 - "Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;"
"Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's." - Genesis 45:20
Judges 20:27 - "And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,"
Judges 20:44 - "And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour."
Judges 20:24 - "And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day."
Judges 20:7 - "Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel."
Isaiah 45:20 - "¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save."
Ezekiel 20:4 - "Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:"
Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."
Judges 1:20 - "And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak."
"And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years." - Judges 15:20
Judges 18:20 - "And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people."
Judges 20:9 - "But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;"
Judges 20:11 - "So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man."
Judges 20:47 - "But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months."