Judges 20:22

Judges 20:22

ESV: But the people, the men of Israel, took courage, and again formed the battle line in the same place where they had formed it on the first day.

KJV: And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.

NIV: But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day.

NKJV: And the people, that is, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and again formed the battle line at the place where they had put themselves in array on the first day.

NLT: But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day.

Meaning

Judges 20:22 describes the unwavering determination of the Israelites after suffering a massive defeat at the hands of the Benjaminites on the first day of battle. Despite losing 22,000 men, the assembled tribes "took courage" or strengthened themselves. They did not retreat or despair but resolutely prepared themselves "again" for conflict, returning to the very "same place" where they had previously faced such a devastating loss. This verse highlights their perseverance, their commitment to the perceived righteousness of their cause (purging wickedness from Israel), and their renewed resolve after experiencing a significant setback, setting the stage for their deeper inquiry of God in the following verses.

Cross References

Context

Judges chapter 20 narrates Israel's unified response to a horrific atrocity committed by wicked men from the tribe of Benjamin in Gibeah (detailed in chapter 19). The nation, deeply offended by this sin and its violation of sacred covenant principles, demands justice from Benjamin. When Benjamin defiantly refuses and prepares for war, the other tribes of Israel assemble a vast army. The narrative then details a war of profound spiritual significance and devastating human cost. Israel initially approaches the conflict with overconfidence, leading to two crushing defeats, losing 22,000 men on the first day (Judg 20:21) and another 18,000 on the second day (Judg 20:25). Verse 22 specifically follows the initial catastrophic loss, highlighting Israel's choice to persist despite the immediate failure, a persistence that would lead them to a deeper, more humble reliance on God.

Word analysis

• But the people, the men of Israel, took courage:

  • וַיִּתְחַזֵּק֙ (va-yitḥazzeq): From the root חָזַק (ḥāzaq), meaning "to be strong, firm." The Hithpael stem denotes a reflexive action, "they strengthened themselves," "they made themselves strong," or "they took courage." This emphasizes a deliberate and internal act of resolve, overcoming despair or fear after a terrible loss. It is an act of willpower, not spontaneous bravado.
  • הָעָם֙ (hā-‘ām) אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (‘īš yiśrā’ēl): "The people, the men of Israel." This specifies that the collective nation, every man of war, unified in this renewed resolve. It highlights their solidarity and shared determination in the face of adversity, despite coming from different tribes. This collective action contrasts with the fragmentation often seen elsewhere in Judges.

• and again arrayed themselves for battle:

  • וַיּוֹסִ֙פוּ֙ (va-yôsīfū): From the root יָסַף (yāsaf), meaning "to add," "to continue," "to do again." This word powerfully indicates repetition and perseverance. It means they added to their previous efforts, stressing that they did not give up.
  • לַעֲרֹ֣ךְ מִלְחָמָ֔ה (la-‘ărōḵ milḥāmāh): "to arrange battle," "to set the battle array." From the root עָרַךְ (‘ārak), meaning "to set in order," "to prepare." This implies strategic and disciplined re-engagement. They weren't charging haphazardly but carefully drawing up their forces, indicating a continued, professional approach to warfare despite the prior devastation.

• in the same place where they had arrayed themselves on the first day:

  • בַּמָּקוֹם֙ (ba-mmāqôm): "In the place," "in the same place." This reiterates the identical location of the conflict. Returning to the scene of a crushing defeat signifies immense resolve and a refusal to yield ground to their adversaries. It confronts the psychological trauma of the previous battle head-on.
  • בַּיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשֽׁוֹן (ba-yyôm hā-ri’šôn): "on the first day." This specific time marker underlines the immediate and profound context of their earlier failure, making their current act of "taking courage" and re-arraying themselves even more significant. It signifies a confrontation with recent memory and a determined forward momentum.

Commentary

Judges 20:22 is a poignant illustration of perseverance in the face of profound defeat. After suffering a shocking loss of 22,000 men in their first encounter with Benjamin, the impulse to retreat and abandon the mission would be strong. Yet, the tribes of Israel, acting as one people, deliberately "took courage" – a decision to overcome their natural fear and despair. Their immediate response was not to lament (though they do so in the next verse) or scatter, but to recommit to their objective. The return to the "same place" where they were so soundly beaten signifies a profound resolve, refusing to concede defeat, even on the very ground of their humiliation. This stubborn resolve, fueled by their conviction (and later by a deeper, more humble inquiry of God), demonstrates a critical aspect of biblical fortitude: the strength to continue striving for righteousness despite initial failure and heavy cost. It prefaces their more earnest seeking of God's counsel after repeated losses, indicating that this courage was not mere human hubris, but a determination to see God's will through.

Bonus section

• This verse represents a pivotal moment in Israel's response. Their human courage after initial defeats (implied due to arrogance and self-reliance) transitions into a deeper, more spiritual engagement with God. This courage, when coupled with sincere repentance and seeking God (as seen in the verses immediately following), became the conduit for ultimate victory.
• The repetition of "same place" suggests a battle of wills, both physical and psychological. Israel refused to be intimidated by the geographical memory of their defeat. This unwavering commitment, though initially rooted in self-confidence, soon morphed into reliance on the Divine after they suffered a second heavy defeat and returned to weep before the Lord.
• The phrase "took courage" (va-yitḥazzeq) can also imply strengthening oneself in something. While not explicitly stated here, in the broader biblical narrative, this strengthening is often facilitated or directly granted by God, particularly when people humble themselves before Him.

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