Judges 20 17

Judges 20:17 kjv

And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.

Judges 20:17 nkjv

Now besides Benjamin, the men of Israel numbered four hundred thousand men who drew the sword; all of these were men of war.

Judges 20:17 niv

Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fit for battle.

Judges 20:17 esv

And the men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered 400,000 men who drew the sword; all these were men of war.

Judges 20:17 nlt

Israel had 400,000 experienced soldiers armed with swords, not counting Benjamin's warriors.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 17 Meaning

Judges 20:17 states the numerical strength of the allied Israelite tribes, excluding Benjamin, who had gathered for battle. It highlights that four hundred thousand armed men, all specifically identified as trained warriors ready for combat, were present to fight against the tribe of Benjamin. This detail underscores the overwhelming numerical superiority of the allied tribes compared to Benjamin, setting the stage for the dramatic and tragic civil war that unfolds.

Judges 20 17 Context

Judges 20:17 is a critical verse in the tragic narrative of the inter-tribal civil war against Benjamin, specifically the people of Gibeah. The preceding chapter (Judges 19) recounts the horrific atrocity committed by men of Gibeah against the Levite's concubine, leading to her death. This egregious sin, akin to the depravity of Sodom and Gomorrah, united the other tribes of Israel in a quest for justice. The call went out to all the tribes (Judges 20:1-7), and the assembly at Mizpah swore an oath to take action. Verse 17 quantifies the massive military force mustered by the allied Israelite tribes in response, excluding Benjamin. This grand tally immediately precedes the declaration of Benjamin's own fighting strength and highlights the disparity in numbers, foreshadowing a fierce but ultimately overwhelming conflict for Benjamin. The broader context of Judges is a period of moral and spiritual decay, characterized by the recurring refrain "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes," which underscores the chaos and lawlessness that led to such a brutal internal conflict.

Judges 20 17 Word analysis

• And the men of Israel:

  • Original Hebrew: וַיִּתְפַּקְּד֤וּ בְנֵי֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (wayyitpaqqədū bənê yiśrāʾēl)
  • וַיִּתְפַּקְּד֤וּ (wayyitpaqqədū): A Niphal imperfect verb, meaning "and they were numbered," or "they assembled themselves to be counted." This implies a formal process of enumeration or review. It highlights a divine or official action of mustering forces. The passive nature might suggest divine orchestration or a solemn collective action.
  • בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (bənê yiśrāʾēl): "Sons of Israel" or "men of Israel." This term refers to the collective twelve tribes, emphasizing the unified front against Benjamin. It signifies the broader covenant community taking action, distinguishing them from the singular rebellious tribe.

• besides Benjamin:

  • Original Hebrew: לְבַד מִבִּנְיָמִ֔ן (ləḇaḏ mibbînyāmîn)
  • לְבַד (ləḇaḏ): "Apart from," "except for," "besides." This explicit exclusion is crucial for understanding the context: Benjamin is the target, not a participant in this census of the unified tribes. It underscores the isolation of Benjamin in this conflict.
  • מִבִּנְיָמִ֔ן (mibbînyāmîn): "From Benjamin." The preposition 'min' denotes separation, emphasizing Benjamin's distinct status as the opposing party.

• numbered four hundred thousand men:

  • Original Hebrew: אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף אִישׁ (ʾarbaʿ mēʾôt ʾelef ʾîš)
  • נִפְקְד֣וּ (nip̄qəḏū): (See above, also tied to "numbered" action). Used earlier in the clause.
  • אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף (ʾarbaʿ mēʾôt ʾelef): "Four hundred thousand." This is a significant numerical figure. In the ancient world, precise numbers often served to convey scale and power, sometimes symbolic of an overwhelming force. It's an immense army for the time, far outnumbering Benjamin (26,700 total in Judg 20:15).
  • אִישׁ (ʾîš): "Man," "individual." Emphasizes the count is of individual fighting men.

• that drew sword:

  • Original Hebrew: שֹׁלֵף חֶרֶב (šōlēf ḥerev)
  • שֹׁלֵף (šōlēf): Participle, meaning "drawing" or "unsheathing." Implies readiness and proficiency. Not merely present, but armed and ready for battle.
  • חֶרֶב (ḥerev): "Sword." The primary weapon of a foot soldier, signifying direct combat capability. "Drawn sword" is a common biblical idiom for readiness for war (e.g., Exod 15:9).

• all these were men of war:

  • Original Hebrew: כָּל־אֵ֤לֶּה אַנְשֵׁי֙ מִלְחָמָה (kāl-ʾēlleh ʾanšê milḥāmâ)
  • כָּל־אֵ֤לֶּה (kāl-ʾēlleh): "All these." A comprehensive affirmation, underscoring that every single one of the 400,000 men met the criteria of being a skilled fighter.
  • אַנְשֵׁי֙ (ʾanšê): "Men of." The plural construct form of ʾîš.
  • מִלְחָמָה (milḥāmâ): "War," "battle." This directly qualifies them as battle-hardened or professional soldiers, distinguishing them from a general population. This phrase explicitly states their vocation and preparedness.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And the men of Israel...numbered four hundred thousand men": This phrase emphasizes the unity and vast collective power of the ten tribes against Benjamin. The verb "numbered" suggests an official military review, signifying serious intent and formal organization. This count positions them as a formidable, if not overwhelming, force in human terms.
  • "besides Benjamin...that drew sword": The immediate exclusion of Benjamin defines the nature of the conflict as an internal, fratricidal war. The specification "that drew sword" elevates this general number to an actual fighting force, trained and equipped for direct combat. It differentiates them from mere civilians, signifying professional military readiness.
  • "all these were men of war": This final emphatic statement removes any ambiguity. It reinforces the martial character of the entire 400,000, confirming their purpose and capability for warfare. This phrase heightens the stark numerical contrast with Benjamin, underscoring the formidable challenge faced by the smaller tribe.

Judges 20 17 Bonus section

The act of "numbering" an army, while pragmatic for war, also carries biblical significance. In instances like David's census (2 Sam 24), it brought divine judgment because it indicated reliance on human strength rather than God. While not directly stated as sin here, the initial Israelite defeats in Judges 20 serve as a profound object lesson, reminding them that numerical superiority is inconsequential without God's explicit endorsement and strategy. The term "men of war" suggests that Israel had maintained a military culture, despite lacking a centralized king, showing how the tribes could still coalesce for common action, albeit sometimes for tragic ends.

Judges 20 17 Commentary

Judges 20:17 is a critical data point, revealing the sheer scale of the Israelite response to Benjamin's depravity. The 400,000 "men of war" represent a formidable, well-equipped, and prepared army, demonstrating the united resolve of the tribes to purge the evil from their midst. This massive mobilization contrasts sharply with the relatively small force of Benjamin (26,700 in Judg 20:15), suggesting an inevitable, crushing victory for the larger alliance. However, this human calculation is immediately challenged in the subsequent narrative by two stunning initial defeats for Israel. This sets a vital theological contrast: immense human might does not guarantee divine favor or success, a recurring theme in the Old Testament (e.g., Gideon's army, God's tests in Deuteronomy). The detailed enumeration highlights Israel's confidence in their numbers and perhaps their righteousness, yet the defeats reveal their reliance on might rather than truly seeking the Lord's strategic guidance or fully comprehending the spiritual depravity they shared.