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Judges 20:15 On that day the Benjamites mobilized 26,000 swordsmen from their cities, in addition to the 700 select men of Gibeah.
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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/20-14.htm" title="Judges 20:14">◄</a> Judges 20:15 <a href="/judges/20-16.htm" title="Judges 20:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred able young men from those living in Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />In all, 26,000 of their warriors armed with swords arrived in Gibeah to join the 700 elite troops who lived there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />On that day the Benjamites mobilized 26,000 swordsmen from their cities, in addition to the 700 select men of Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And from their cities at that time the children of Benjamin numbered twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who numbered seven hundred select men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />From the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were counted, twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were counted, seven hundred choice men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />From the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were numbered, 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And from the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were numbered, 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And from the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were numbered, 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the Benjamites assembled out of their cities at that time twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who assembled seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />On that day the Benjaminites mobilized twenty-six thousand armed men from their cities, besides seven hundred fit young men rallied by the inhabitants of Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />On that day the Benjaminites rallied 26,000 armed men from their cities, besides 700 choice men rallied by the inhabitants of Gibeah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin were numbered on that day out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Benjamin tribe had 26,000 soldiers, not counting the 700 who were Gibeah's best warriors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin were numbered on that day out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />That day 26,000 men armed with swords came from Benjamin's cities and organized for battle along with 700 of Gibeah's best men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The day of the battle, the army from the descendants of Benjamin numbered 26,000 expert swordsmen from their cities, not including the inhabitants of Gibeah, who numbered 700 special forces soldiers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />On that day the Benjamites mobilized 26,000 swordsmen from their cities, in addition to the 700 select men of Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />That day the Benjaminites mustered from their cities twenty-six thousand sword-wielding soldiers, besides seven hundred well-trained soldiers from Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The people of Benjamin were numbered on that day out of the cities twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Benjamin were counted on that day out of the cities twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, in addition to the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were counted seven hundred chosen men. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin number themselves on that day; out of the cities [are] twenty-six thousand men drawing sword, apart from the inhabitants of Gibeah, [who] numbered themselves, seven hundred chosen men;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the sons of Benjamin number themselves on that day; out of the cities are twenty and six thousand men drawing sword, apart from the inhabitants of Gibeah, who numbered themselves, seven hundred chosen men;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin will be reviewed in that day from the cities, twenty and six thousand men drawing the sword, besides from the inhabitants of Gibeah they were reviewed, seven hundred chosen men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And there were found of Benjamin five and twenty thousand men that drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gabaa, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And there were found from Benjamin twenty-five thousand who drew the sword, aside from the inhabitants of Gibeah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />On that day the Benjaminites mustered from their cities twenty-six thousand swordsmen, in addition to the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered seven hundred picked men<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />On that day the Benjaminites mustered twenty-six thousand armed men from their towns, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the Benjamites were numbered in that day out of the cities twenty-six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin in that day from the cities were numbered twenty and six thousand men drawing a sword, apart from the dwellers of Gebah who were numbered seven hundred men<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin numbered on that day out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who numbered seven hundred chosen men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin from their cities were numbered in that day, twenty-three thousand, <i>every</i> man drawing a sword, besides the inhabitants of Gabaa, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men of all the people, able to use both hands alike;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/20-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=6067" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">The Decree of the Assembly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>And from their cities they came together at Gibeah to go out and fight against the Israelites. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">On that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Benjamites</a> <a href="/hebrew/1144.htm" title="1144: ḇin·yā·min (N-proper-ms) -- From ben and yamiyn; son of right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: way·yiṯ·pā·qə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">mobilized</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">26,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/8337.htm" title="8337: wə·šiš·šāh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Masculine shishshah; a primitive number; six (see suws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8025.htm" title="8025: šō·lêp̄ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To draw out or off. A primitive root; to pull out, up or off."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥā·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">swordsmen</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: mê·he·‘ā·rîm (Prep-m, Art:: N-fp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">from their cities,</a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: lə·ḇaḏ (Prep:: N-msc) -- Separation, a part. ">in addition to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: šə·ḇa‘ (Number-fsc) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">the 700</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’ō·wṯ (Number-fp) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction."></a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: bā·ḥūr (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">select</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: hiṯ·pā·qə·ḏū (V-Hitpael-Perf-3cp) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: mî·yō·šə·ḇê (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1390.htm" title="1390: hag·giḇ·‘āh (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Hill, three cities in Pal. The same as gib'ah; Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine.">of Gibeah.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/18-11.htm">Joshua 18:11-28</a></span><br />The first lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph: / On the north side their border began at the Jordan, went up past the northern slope of Jericho, headed west through the hill country, and came out at the wilderness of Beth-aven. / From there the border crossed over to the southern slope of Luz (that is, Bethel) and went down to Ataroth-addar on the hill south of Lower Beth-horon. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-8.htm">1 Samuel 11:8</a></span><br />And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-4.htm">1 Samuel 15:4</a></span><br />So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-9.htm">2 Samuel 24:9</a></span><br />And Joab reported to the king the total number of the troops. In Israel there were 800,000 men of valor who drew the sword, and in Judah there were 500,000.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/7-6.htm">1 Chronicles 7:6-12</a></span><br />The three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael. / The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, heads of their families—five in all. There were 22,034 mighty men of valor listed in their genealogies. / The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth; all these were Becher’s sons. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-23.htm">1 Chronicles 12:23-40</a></span><br />Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/17-14.htm">2 Chronicles 17:14-19</a></span><br />These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor; / next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000; / and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-26.htm">Numbers 1:26-27</a></span><br />From the sons of Judah, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army, / those registered to the tribe of Judah numbered 74,600.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-38.htm">Numbers 26:38-41</a></span><br />These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, / the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham. / And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-12.htm">Deuteronomy 33:12</a></span><br />Concerning Benjamin he said: “May the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him; God shields him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/5-8.htm">Hosea 5:8-9</a></span><br />Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin! / Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-27.htm">Psalm 68:27</a></span><br />There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Romans 11:1</a></span><br />I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5</a></span><br />circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-8.htm">Revelation 7:8</a></span><br />from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.</p><p class="hdg">twenty</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/20-25.htm">Judges 20:25,35,46,47</a></b></br> And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/26-41.htm">Numbers 26:41</a></b></br> These <i>are</i> the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them <i>were</i> forty and five thousand and six hundred.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/20-2.htm">Armed</a> <a href="/judges/20-14.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-14.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-13.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/18-24.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/judges/14-20.htm">Best</a> <a href="/judges/20-14.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-15.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/judges/10-14.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/judges/20-14.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/judges/19-13.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/judges/20-2.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/judges/20-10.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/judges/11-21.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-24.htm">Mobilized</a> <a href="/judges/11-20.htm">Mustered</a> <a href="/joshua/8-10.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/4-35.htm">Numbering</a> <a href="/judges/16-28.htm">Once</a> <a href="/exodus/15-4.htm">Picked</a> <a href="/judges/16-19.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/judges/18-17.htm">Six</a> <a href="/judges/20-2.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/judges/20-2.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/judges/8-10.htm">Swordsmen</a> <a href="/judges/20-14.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/20-10.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/20-14.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-40.htm">Twenty-Six</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Armed</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-18.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-18.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/judges/21-10.htm">Best</a> <a href="/judges/20-18.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/judges/20-42.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/judges/21-9.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-6.htm">Mobilized</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Mustered</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-9.htm">Numbering</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-9.htm">Once</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Picked</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/judges/20-47.htm">Six</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Swordsmen</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/judges/20-25.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/20-42.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/judges/20-21.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-40.htm">Twenty-Six</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-1.htm">The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-8.htm">The decree of the assembly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-12.htm">The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-18.htm">The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-26.htm">They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The phrase "on that day" often marks a significant moment in biblical narratives, emphasizing the immediacy and urgency of the situation.<p><b>the Benjamites mobilized</b><br>The tribe of Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin. Mobilization here refers to the preparation for battle, highlighting the tribal unity and readiness to defend their own, despite the moral implications of the conflict. This reflects the tribal loyalty and the decentralized nature of Israelite society during the time of the Judges.<p><b>26,000 swordsmen from their cities</b><br>The number 26,000 indicates a substantial military force, suggesting the size and strength of the tribe of Benjamin. The mention of "swordsmen" underscores the preparedness for armed conflict. The cities refer to the various settlements within the territory allotted to Benjamin, which included strategic locations such as Jerusalem and Jericho.<p><b>in addition to the 700 select men of Gibeah</b><br>Gibeah was a significant city within the territory of Benjamin, known for the grievous sin that led to the conflict described in <a href="/judges/19.htm">Judges 19-21</a>. The "700 select men" implies a group of elite warriors, possibly chosen for their skill and valor. This detail highlights the seriousness with which the Benjamites approached the impending battle. The focus on Gibeah connects to the broader narrative of sin and judgment, as the events in Gibeah were the catalyst for the civil war.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/benjamites.htm">Benjamites</a></b><br>The tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for their skill in battle and their fierce loyalty to their own.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeah.htm">Gibeah</a></b><br>A city within the territory of Benjamin, infamous for the grievous sin committed there, which led to the conflict described in <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Judges 20</a>.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/swordsmen.htm">Swordsmen</a></b><br>The armed men of Benjamin, totaling 26,000, who were prepared for battle against the other tribes of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/7/700_choice_men.htm">700 Choice Men</a></b><br>A select group of warriors from Gibeah, noted for their exceptional skill, particularly in slinging stones with precision.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mobilization.htm">Mobilization</a></b><br>The act of gathering and preparing for battle, indicating the seriousness of the conflict and the readiness of the Benjamites to defend their cause.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The events leading to the mobilization of the Benjamites serve as a stark reminder of how unchecked sin can lead to devastating consequences, not just for individuals but for entire communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/tribal_loyalty_vs._righteousness.htm">Tribal Loyalty vs. Righteousness</a></b><br>The Benjamites' decision to defend their own, despite the grievous sin committed, challenges us to consider when loyalty to our group should be secondary to upholding righteousness and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparedness_for_spiritual_battle.htm">Preparedness for Spiritual Battle</a></b><br>Just as the Benjamites prepared for physical battle, Christians are called to be spiritually prepared, putting on the full armor of God as described in <a href="/bsb/ephesians/6.htm">Ephesians 6</a>.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>The mobilization of the Benjamites underscores the importance of leadership in times of crisis. Leaders must guide their people with wisdom and integrity, especially when facing moral dilemmas.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_26,000_benjamites_resist_israel.htm">Judges 20:15 - How could only 26,000 men from Benjamin withstand the combined forces of Israel for so long, given the massive numerical imbalance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_judges_20_35-46_consistent_with_unity.htm">Judges 20:35-46 - Is the near-total annihilation of an entire tribe by fellow Israelites consistent with the broader biblical message of unity among God's people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_promote_abduction_in_judges_21_20-23.htm">Why does the text promote the abduction of women as a solution for the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:20-23)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_violent_vows.htm">How could an all-knowing God condone vows leading to violence against families and communities (Judges 21:1-11)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Out of the cities.</span>--They could only live in cities, because the Jebusites still held Jerusalem, and the Canaanites around them were very incompletely subdued.<p><span class= "bld">Twenty and six thousand.</span>--This seems to be the correct number, and is found in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic. Josephus, however (<span class= "ital">Antt. v.</span> 2, ? 10), has 25,000, as also has Codex A of theLXX., and Codex B has 23,000 (see Note on <a href="/judges/20-46.htm" title="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</a>). We see generally that the Benjamites, like the rest of the Israelites, in spite of their exceptional increase in the wilderness, had been now diminished by about a third since the last census (<a href="/numbers/26-41.htm" title="These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.">Numbers 26:41</a>). (See Note on <a href="/judges/20-2.htm" title="And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.">Judges 20:2</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Seven hundred chosen men.</span>--There seems to be some uncertainty or confusion in the text here. It is difficult to imagine that, as the text stands, the single city of Gibeah furnished to the Benjamites their one choice contingent of seven hundred slingers, and it would be a curious coincidence that the force of Gibeah and the slingers should each be exactly seven hundred.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Twenty and six thousand</span>. The numbers of Benjamin in the wilderness were at the first numbering 35,400, and at the second 45,600 (<a href="/numbers/1-36.htm">Numbers 1:36</a>; <a href="/numbers/2-23.htm">Numbers 2:23</a>; <a href="/numbers/26-41.htm">Numbers 26:41</a>). It is impossible to account with certainty for the falling off in the numbers by so many as near 20,000; but perhaps many were slain in the wars of Canaan, and the unsettled times were unfavourable to early marriages. For the whole of Israel there was, as appeared by ver. 2, note, a falling off of nearly 200,000 men, or, to speak exactly (601,730-400,000 +26,700), of 175,030. <span class="cmt_word">Which were numbered</span>. There is some obscurity in this latter clause; but, in spite of the accents being opposed to it, the A.V. seems certainly right. The rendering acording to the accents, "they (the Benjamites) were numbered, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, seven hundred chosen men," makes no sense, and does not explain who the 700 were. The population of Gibeah would be about 5 × 700, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> 3500, according to this statement. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/20-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">On that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַהוּא֙</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיּ֤וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Benjamites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mobilized</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְפָּֽקְדוּ֩</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·pā·qə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6485.htm">Strong's 6485: </a> </span><span class="str2">To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">26,000</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶשְׂרִ֨ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘eś·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Twenty, twentieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">swordsmen</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֑רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from their cities,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(mê·he·‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in addition to</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֠בַד</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the 700</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁבַ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">select</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּחֽוּר׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ḥūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Selected, a youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Gibeah.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּבְעָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(hag·giḇ·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1390.htm">Strong's 1390: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/20-15.htm">Judges 20:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/20-15.htm">OT History: Judges 20:15 The children of Benjamin were numbered (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>