Book of Judges - Chapter 20 - Verse 43

In this verse from the book of Judges, the Benjamites are being pursued and defeated by the other tribes of Israel. The context of this verse is a battle between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, spurred by a heinous crime committed by some men from the tribe of Benjamin in the city of Gibeah. The other tribes of Israel have rallied together to seek justice and retribution for the crime. As they surround the Benjamites and chase them with ease, it is a display of the power and unity of the other tribes against their fellow Israelites who have committed such a grave offense. The verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the measures that must sometimes be taken to uphold justice and maintain order within the community. It also highlights the themes of justice, unity, and the consequences of disobedience to God's laws.

One key theological interpretation of this verse from Judges 20:43 revolves around the themes of justice and judgment. The context of the passage describes the Israelites' battle against the tribe of Benjamin due to their grievous sin. The Benjamites were being punished for protecting the men of Gibeah who had committed vile acts. The image of the Benjamites being "enclosed...chased, and trodden down" by the other tribes symbolizes the consequences of their actions and the divine retribution they faced. The ease with which the other tribes were able to defeat them highlights the righteousness of the judgment brought upon the Benjamites. Additionally, the location "over against Gibeah toward the sunrising" may symbolize the dawning of a new era or a fresh start for the Israelites after purging themselves of the sin amongst their own ranks. Thus, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's laws and the inevitability of facing consequences for our actions.