Judges 20 46

Judges 20:46 kjv

So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valor.

Judges 20:46 nkjv

So all who fell of Benjamin that day were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword; all these were men of valor.

Judges 20:46 niv

On that day twenty-five thousand Benjamite swordsmen fell, all of them valiant fighters.

Judges 20:46 esv

So all who fell that day of Benjamin were 25,000 men who drew the sword, all of them men of valor.

Judges 20:46 nlt

So that day the tribe of Benjamin lost 25,000 strong warriors armed with swords,

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 46 Meaning

Judges 20:46 succinctly describes the tragic outcome of the final day of the civil war between the tribes of Israel and Benjamin. It states that twenty-five thousand Benjamite warriors, all considered valiant fighters, were killed. This verse emphasizes the devastating scale of the defeat, highlighting the near obliteration of the tribe's military strength.

Judges 20 46 Context

Judges chapter 20 describes a horrific civil war that erupted between the eleven other tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. This conflict arose from an unspeakable atrocity committed in Gibeah of Benjamin (Judges 19) where a Levite's concubine was brutally assaulted, leading to her death. The other tribes gathered at Mizpah, demanding that Benjamin surrender the culprits from Gibeah. When Benjamin refused, instead choosing to defend the perpetrators, a tribal war ensued. Despite God's direction, the combined Israelite army suffered two defeats at the hands of the smaller, but highly skilled, Benjamite forces. However, on the third day, after fervent prayer and renewed resolve, the Israelites were successful. Judges 20:46 then gives the grim casualty count for Benjamin from that decisive day, encapsulating the terrible price paid for defending unrighteousness and the devastating impact of sin in a nation without central, righteous leadership ("everyone did what was right in his own eyes," Judg 21:25).

Judges 20 46 Word analysis

• So all who fell: (Hebrew: וַיִּפְּל֥וּ, vayyiplu, from נָפַל, naphal, meaning "to fall, collapse, be slain"). This phrasing signifies a sudden, comprehensive demise in battle. It highlights the decisive and overwhelming nature of the defeat, implying a complete routing rather than individual skirmishes. The emphasis on "all" (כָּל־, kol) underscores the totality of the loss for Benjamin.
• that day: This specifies the third and final day of the battle (Judges 20:35-46), a day of complete and decisive victory for the other Israelite tribes and overwhelming judgment for Benjamin.
• of Benjamin: (Hebrew: בִּנְיָמִ֖ין, Binyamin). Refers to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribe, despite its relatively small size, was known for its fierce warriors and expert slingers (Judges 20:16; 1 Chr 12:2). This detail makes their utter defeat even more significant, as it was not a defeat of the weak but of the seemingly strong.
• were twenty-five thousand men: (Hebrew: חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֙ אֶ֔לֶף אִ֖ישׁ, ḥamishsha v'esrim elef ish). A colossal number for a single tribe, especially considering their total fighting force was initially 26,700 (Judges 20:17). This indicates that the vast majority of their fighting men were annihilated. This sheer number underscores the scale of the tragedy and divine judgment.
• that drew sword: (Hebrew: שֹׁלֵ֥ף חֶ֙רֶב֙, sholeph chereb, from שָׁלַף, shalaf, "to draw out, unsheathe," and חֶרֶב, ḥereb, "sword"). This phrase specifies that the count refers to active, trained warriors, combatants equipped and ready for battle. It distinguishes them from non-combatants or those unarmed, further emphasizing the military destruction.
• all these were men of valor: (Hebrew: אֵ֤לֶּה כֻלָּם֙ אַנְשֵׁי־חַ֔יִל, elleh kullam anshei chayil, "men of strength/power/might"). This phrase highlights the paradox and tragedy of the Benjamite defeat. Despite their courage, skill, and reputation for military prowess—attributes highly valued in ancient societies—their valor could not save them from the consequences of their unrepentant sin and God's judgment. Their might was insufficient against a righteous cause empowered by God.

Judges 20 46 Bonus section

• The precise numerical casualty count in this verse highlights the meticulous record-keeping of the biblical narrative, affirming the historical reality of these events.
• This extreme judgment on Benjamin underscores the moral seriousness of the Gibeah incident (Judges 19) in God's eyes and to the other tribes. It was not a minor offense but an abominable act requiring severe punishment.
• The tragedy in Judges 20 and the near extinction of Benjamin laid the foundation for future efforts to preserve the tribe (Judges 21), demonstrating God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant despite the severe discipline His people might undergo.
• The phrase "men of valor" is typically used positively in the Bible (e.g., Gideon in Judg 6:12). Its application here highlights the ironic and tragic waste of human strength and skill when arrayed against God's will and moral order.

Judges 20 46 Commentary

Judges 20:46 is a stark and sorrowful verse marking the tragic culmination of one of Israel's darkest episodes. It details the massive loss of life within the tribe of Benjamin, underscoring the severe consequences of corporate sin and the moral anarchy that plagued Israel in the absence of righteous leadership. The "twenty-five thousand men" were not weak or untrained, but "men of valor"—a detail emphasizing that their strength and skill were no match for the divine judgment unleashed through their fellow Israelites. This immense casualty count signifies a near-total annihilation of the tribe's military capacity, leaving a severe wound on the nation. The incident serves as a grim reminder that unconfessed and unrepented sin, especially when publicly embraced and defended, carries devastating national consequences. It also illustrates that even a "mighty" force, if aligned with evil, will ultimately fall when God's hand is against it. This judgment, though harsh, set the stage for later acts of divine preservation to ensure the survival of the covenant nation, showing that even in severe judgment, God's ultimate plan of salvation for His people remained.