1. Juges 20:33 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

What is meant by the reference to “all the men of Israel”?

Judges (Juges) 20:33 (ESV)

33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar, and the men of Israel who were in ambush rushed out of their place from Maareh-geba.

This expression cannot of course refer to literally all the men of Israel, given that there were the men in ambush, identified as a separate group in the second half of the verse. Thus, all must refer to all those involved in the fake retreat.