Judges 20:42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

And began to go towards the way of the desert, the enemy pursuing them thither also. And they that fired the city came also out to meet them.
Douay-Rheims

וַיִּפְנ֞וּ לִפְנֵ֨י אִ֤ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶל־דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְהַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה הִדְבִּיקָ֑תְהוּ וַאֲשֶׁר֙ מֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔ים מַשְׁחִיתִ֥ים אוֹת֖וֹ בְּתוֹכֽוֹ׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

The men from Benjamin, upon realizing they were encircled, dispersed and sought refuge in the wilderness before being assaulted from behind. Meanwhile, Israel intensified their efforts and relentlessly pursued the fleeing individuals.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

Hos 10:9From the days of Gabaa, Israel hath sinned, there they stood: the battle in Gabaa against the children of iniquity shall not overtake them.
Josh 8:15But Joshua, and all Israel gave back, making as if they were afraid, and fleeing by the way of the wilderness.
Lam 1:3Ghimel. Juda hath removed her dwelling place, because of her affliction, and the greatness of her bondage; she hath dwelt among the nations, and she hath found no rest; all her persecutors have taken her in the midst of straits.
Hos 9:9They have sinned deeply, as in the days of Gabaa: he will remember their iniquity, and will visit their sin.
Josh 8:24So all being slain that had pursued after Israel, in his flight to the wilderness, and falling by the sword in the same place, the children of Israel returned and laid waste the city.