38 Now there was an appointed sign sign: or, time 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.
English Standard Version
38 Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city
The Message
38 The strategy for the main body of the ambush was that they send up a smoke signal from the city.
New King James Version
38 Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise up from the city,
New Living Translation
38 They had arranged to send up a large cloud of smoke from the town as a signal.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 20:38
Chapter Contents
The tribe of Benjamin nearly extirpated.
The Israelites' abhorrence of the crime committed at Gibeah, and their resolution to punish the criminals, were right; but they formed their resolves with too much haste and self-confidence. The eternal ruin of souls will be worse, and more fearful, than these desolations of a tribe.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 20:38
Chapter Contents
The tribe of Benjamin nearly extirpated.
The Israelites' abhorrence of the crime committed at Gibeah, and their resolution to punish the criminals, were right; but they formed their resolves with too much haste and self-confidence. The eternal ruin of souls will be worse, and more fearful, than these desolations of a tribe.