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Judges 20:38

36 Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah.

37 The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword.

The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city,

39 the men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.”

40 But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city,
KJV
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.
WEB
Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.
ASV
Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait was, that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.
DARBY
Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambush, that they should make a thick column of smoke rise up out of the city.
BLB
And there was a signal between the men of Israel and between those lying in wait, that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise up from the city,
ÅB
Og det var gjort den avtale mellom Israels menn og bakholdet at disse skulle la en tett røyk stige opp fra byen.
OTB
Israelittene hadde avtalt med bakholdet at de skulle sende opp en stor røyksøyle fra byen,
B1930
Og det var gjort den avtale mellem Israels menn og bakholdet at disse skulde la en tett røk stige op fra byen.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 17:21

    But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”

    Read in context

  • 2 Kings 4:16

    And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.”

    Read in context

  • Joshua 8:20

    When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers.

    Read in context