1. Judges 20:33 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What actions does Israel take in this verse?

Judges 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.

After luring Benjamin away far enough from the safety of Gibeah, the Israelites rose out of their place and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar. The expression their place seems to refer to the spot where they looked to execute their pre-battle plan. With cocky Benjamin on the run against Israel, and far enough away from the safety of their own walls, the Israelites reach Baal-tamaar, turn about, set themselves in array, and confront their pursuers. And the men in the ambush at Maareh-geba come out of their hiding places. That effectively cuts off any possibility of the Benjamites fleeing back into the city.