Judges 20:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

And the Lord defeated them before the children of Israel, and they slew of them in that day five and twenty thousand, and one hundred, all fighting men, and that drew the sword.
Douay-Rheims

וַיִּגֹּ֨ף יְהוָ֥ה ׀ אֶֽת־בִּנְיָמִן֮ לִפְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיַּשְׁחִיתוּ֩ בְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל בְּבִנְיָמִן֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה אֶ֛לֶף וּמֵאָ֖ה אִ֑ישׁ כָּל־אֵ֖לֶּה שֹׁ֥לֵף חָֽרֶב׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Ambrose of Milan
Theodoret of Cyrus
John of Tobolsk

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

As news of this incident circulated, it stirred nearly the entire nation of Israel toward conflict; initially, the battles yielded unpredictable outcomes, but in the third confrontation, the tribe of Benjamin yielded to the Israelites and faced divine retribution for their immorality.

The retribution for purity and the violation of chastity is a severe fate for the immoral. This truth is presented in Scripture not just in this instance, but throughout various texts. In Genesis, we find the account of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, being held accountable for his actions toward Sarah, as he was unaware that she was a married woman (Gen. 12:17). Thus, it is evident that it is God's desire to safeguard chastity, and even more so, to honor virginity.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

He brought total devastation upon the unrighteous group, sparing only a small number who could be easily counted. Those who posed a greater threat to them were even more depraved than the shameful Gabaonites. When their fellow believers called for the surrender of those who had engaged in wrongdoing, they not only refused to turn them over but also went to great lengths to protect them. As a result, they faced destruction alongside those they sought to defend.

John of Tobolsk

17th centuryChurch Father

Observing the frailty of humanity, it seemed reasonable for the Israelites to feel fear and to entertain doubts. God's directive to engage in battle had been issued twice, and on both occasions those who complied with His command faced defeat. Who would willingly face assured destruction? Who would choose the unpredictability of combat over the comfort and abundance of domestic life? Yet, the unwavering faith of the Israelites in God triumphed over these fears.

Read more (288 words)

They confronted the Benjaminites for a third time, resulting in a decisive victory; the enemy suffered the loss of twenty-five thousand soldiers, and the cities of their adversaries were ravaged, their inhabitants struck down by the sword, their possessions seized, and the towns themselves destroyed and set ablaze by the Israelites (Judges, chaps. 19, 20, and 21).

Two important points warrant attention here: first, the boundless plans of God are beyond the full comprehension of any human mind; and secondly, enduring faith in God never leads to disgrace—a theme we will explore further. In such circumstances, it is wise to turn to God in heartfelt prayer for assistance, reminding ourselves not to lose hope, even when a promising beginning ends unfavorably. One must maintain steadfast confidence in God’s aid regarding righteous endeavors, keeping one's gaze fixed on Him with eyes of faith and yielding to His divine will.

In both communal affairs and individual experiences, it is not uncommon for those who are moderate in their diet and drink to fall ill, for healthy individuals to suffer from ailments, or for the innocent to face unjust punishment. Similarly, even the most devoted individuals may struggle with impure thoughts or temptations. In all these scenarios, the effective means of salvation against adversities remain constant—an understanding of God's will and His holy Providence. In everyday matters, a common saying suggests that greater efforts yield enhanced results. Yet, in the governance of the Divine, the opposite holds true—the fewer factors that influence outcomes, the better; this is affirmed by the Apostle Paul, who instructs us: ‘work out your salvation with fear and trembling, because God works in you both the will and the action according to His good pleasure’ (Phil. 2:12-13).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.