Judges 20:47 Meaning: A Remnant of 600
But six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and stayed in the rock of Rimmon four months.
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
But six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon, and abode in the rock of Rimmon four months.
and there turn and flee into the wilderness, unto the rock of Rimmon six hundred men, and they dwell in the rock Rimmon four months.
And six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness to the cliff of Rimmon, and abode at the cliff of Rimmon four months.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did 600 Benjamites survive the massacre? Judges 20:47 shows God preserving a remnant even in judgment, pointing to His mercy within wrath.
Context
The book of Judges records a dark period when Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. This chapter describes the horrific civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel after the outrage at Gibeah. After three days of battle, the Benjamites are nearly annihilated. Some 25,000 of their warriors fall. But six hundred men manage to escape into the wilderness and find shelter at the rock of Rimmon, where they remain for four months. The verse sits as a brief pause before the aftermath, where Israel grieves the near-extinction of a tribe and later provides for these survivors. This remnant becomes the seed for Benjamin’s restoration, a sign that God’s judgment is never the last word.
Key Words
Three Hebrew verbs carry the movement of this verse. The first is panah, “turned.” It means to pivot, to change direction deliberately. These men didn’t just run blindly; they made a conscious turn away from slaughter toward the wilderness. Then comes nus, “fled,” the same word used when David escaped from Saul or when Israel fled from their enemies. It suggests desperation but also survival, a God-given instinct to run toward life. Finally, yashav, “stayed,” means to sit down, to dwell, to make a home. For four months they lived in a rock cave, and that shift from fleeing to dwelling is a quiet picture of mercy. They did not keep running forever. God gave them a place to stop and exist. The rock itself, sela, is a word often used for refuge throughout the Psalms. Together these words tell us: when judgment comes, God still provides a place to turn, a way to escape, and a home to rest in until the storm passes.
How Christians Read This Verse
Anglican and Reformed commentators note that the survival of these 600 men is essential to the story; without them, the tribe of Benjamin would have ended. Cambridge Bible observes that the survivors “have a part to play in the sequel.” Baptist writer John Gill focuses on the rock itself, imagining a cave large enough to hold six hundred, and connects it to other refuge caves in Scripture. Wesley’s notes place more weight on the tragedy of losing the land, but still the remnant stands. Across these traditions, readers have seen in this verse a pattern: God’s judgment is severe, but He always preserves a seed. The remnant at Rimmon is not an accident of battle; it is a thread of mercy woven into the fabric of wrath. Both Catholic and Protestant interpreters find here a foreshadowing of a God who does not stay angry forever.
A common misunderstanding
Some assume the slaughter was total, that God wiped out Benjamin completely. In fact, the text is precise: six hundred men survived. This remnant is not a loophole; it is part of the plan. The next chapter shows the other tribes grieving the loss and making provision for these survivors. God’s judgment was real, but so was His intention to restore.
Living This Out
You may be in a season where it feels like everything has been taken from you, a relationship, a job, a reputation. This verse whispers that God often leaves a remnant. Six hundred scared men in a cave became the future of a tribe. This week, instead of despairing over what is lost, ask God to show you what He has preserved. It might be small, hidden in a rock, but it is enough for a new start. Look for the remnant He has tucked away in your life.
Main takeaway: Even in the midst of severe judgment, God preserves a remnant to show that His mercy endures beyond His wrath.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
After a big fight between God’s people, only 600 men survived by hiding in a rock cave. God kept them safe there for four months. He had a plan to save their families.
For ages 9, 12
This verse comes after a terrible war where almost the whole tribe of Benjamin was destroyed because of their sin. But God made sure 600 men escaped to the rock of Rimmon. They stayed there for months, and later the other tribes felt sorry and helped them rebuild. This shows that even when we mess up badly, God leaves room for a fresh start. He doesn’t throw us away completely.
Questions People Ask
Where is the rock of Rimmon?
The rock of Rimmon is a specific location near Gibeah, in the territory of Benjamin. It was likely a large cave or cliff formation that could shelter hundreds of men. Some scholars identify it with a steep conical hill of white limestone about fifteen miles from Gibeah.
Why did only 600 survive out of 26,700 Benjamite warriors?
God’s judgment on Benjamin was severe, but He preserved a small remnant to ensure the tribe would not be wiped out. The survival of exactly 600 men is not an accident; it shows that even in wrath, God remembers mercy. This remnant later became the foundation for the tribe’s restoration in the next chapter.
What happened to the 600 men after four months?
After four months, Israel sent messengers to the rock of Rimmon and made peace with the survivors. They provided wives for them so the tribe of Benjamin could continue. You can read the full story in Judges 21, where the other tribes grieve the near loss of a brother tribe and take steps to restore it.
Does this verse teach that God always leaves a remnant when He judges?
This is a pattern seen throughout Scripture: God often preserves a faithful or surviving remnant even when judgment falls. Examples include Noah’s family, the Israelites in Egypt, and those who returned from exile. It reflects God’s character as both just and merciful, He punishes sin but does not abandon His people completely.
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