Judges 20:48

In describing the aftermath of an intense civil war among God’s people, the scripture declares, *“Then the men of Israel turned back against the sons of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, both the entire city with the cattle and all that they found; they also set on fire all the cities which they found.” (v.48)* This event takes place during the period of the Judges, roughly between 1375 BC and 1050 BC, a time when Israel had no central monarchy and was instead governed by leaders called “judges.” The tribe of Benjamin, which descended from Jacob (around 2,000 BC to his death in approximately 1859 BC), now faces dire consequences for their part in a grievous crime that sparked a nationwide conflict. The mention of “the edge of the sword” and the burning of “all the cities which they found” conveys a scene of total devastation, emphasizing both judgment and sorrow.

When the verse notes that *the men of Israel “struck them with the edge of the sword”* (v.48), it points to a grim finality. The fury of Israel here is not impulsive—the entire chapter narrates how repeated calls for justice were ignored by Benjamin, leading to this tragic collision among tribes that were once united under the same covenant. Geographically, they are in the land allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, located in central Israel near the region that would later include Jerusalem. The destruction encompassed not only human life but also their livestock and possessions, reinforcing how destructive the outcome of deep-seated sin and unrepentance can be. This echoes later scriptural teachings that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23 NASB-95), reminding us that moral compromise often culminates in significant ruin.

In *“they also set on fire all the cities which they found”* (v.48), we see the complete decimation of Benjamin’s territory. The raging conflict left little room for mercy, leaving the tribe of Benjamin on the brink of extinction (Judges 21:2–3 NASB-95). Yet, the overall biblical narrative shows that God’s plan, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, provides hope and restoration even after devastating losses. While this passage centers on judgment, it foreshadows a renewed unity for Israel in generations to come, and it points to the redemption Christ would bring, showing that even the severest judgments can be followed by divine compassion and grace (John 3:16 NASB-95).

This verse illustrates how unchecked sin can lead to heartbreaking destruction and near annihilation for an entire community.