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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 20:16 Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/20-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/07_Jdg_20_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 20:16 - The Decree of the Assembly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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every one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing. <a href="/kjv/judges/20.htm">King James Bible</a> Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss. <a href="/nkjv/judges/20.htm">New King James Version</a> Among all this people were seven hundred select men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair’s breadth and not miss. <a href="/nasb_/judges/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Out of all these people seven hundred choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Out of all these people were seven hundred choice left-handed men; each one could sling stones at [a target no wider than] a hair and not miss. <a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> There were seven hundred fit young men who were left-handed among all these troops; all could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> There were 700 choice men who were left-handed among all these people; all could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss. <a href="/cev/judges/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> In this army there were 700 left-handed experts who could sling a rock at a target the size of a hair and hit it every time. <a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair-breadth, and not miss. <a href="/gwt/judges/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Out of all these troops, the best 700 were left-handed. Each could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> Out of all these soldiers, 700 of them were left-handed—and each one could sling a stone at a hair and never miss. <a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing. <a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a> Among this army were seven hundred specially-trained left-handed soldiers. Each one could sling a stone and hit even the smallest target. <a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed; everyone could sling stones at a hair and not miss. <a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed; every one could sling stones to a hair-breadth, and not miss. <a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a> Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed. Every one of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> among all this people [are] seven hundred chosen men, their right hand bound, each of these slinging with a stone at the hair, and he does not err. <a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> among all this people are seven hundred chosen men, bound of their right hand, each of these slinging with a stone at the hair, and he doth not err. <a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> From all this people, seven hundred chosen men shut up of the right hand, slinging at a hair, and they will not miss.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Who were seven hundred most valiant men, fighting with the left hand as well as with the right: and slinging stones so sure that they could hit even a hair, and not miss by the stone's going on either side. <a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> who were seven hundred very strong men, fighting with the left hand as well as with the right hand, and casting stones from a sling so accurately that they were able to strike even a hair, and the path of the stone would by no means miss to either side. <a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a> who were left-handed, every one of them able to sling a stone at a hair without missing. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Of all this force, there were seven hundred picked men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair, and not miss.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Among all these people there were seven hundred chosen men who were lefthanded; every one of them could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss. <a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Everyone whose right hands were maimed, who threw with a sling against a strong wind and did not miss<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> All this people, even seven hundred chosen men, were left-handed; every one could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss. <a href="/sep/judges/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> All these could sling with stones at a hair, and not miss. <a href="/parallel/judges/20-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=6077" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">The Decree of the Assembly</a> …15On that day the Benjamites mobilized 26,000 swordsmen from their cities, in addition to the 700 select men of Gibeah. 16<a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kōl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">Among all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">soldiers</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.">there were 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/334.htm" title="334: ’iṭ·ṭêr (Adj-ms) -- Shut up, bound. From 'atar; shut up, i.e. Impeded.">left-handers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yaḏ- (N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: yə·mî·nōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south."></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/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">each of whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7049.htm" title="7049: qō·lê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To sling, hurl forth. A primitive root: to sling: also to carve.">could sling</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: bā·’e·ḇen (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">a stone</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">at</a> <a href="/hebrew/8185.htm" title="8185: haś·śa·‘ă·rāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Hair. Feminine of se'ar; hairiness.">a hair</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ya·ḥă·ṭi (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">missing.</a> 17The Israelites, apart from Benjamin, mobilized 400,000 swordsmen, each one an experienced warrior.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/17-49.htm">1 Samuel 17:49</a> Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. <a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">1 Chronicles 12:2</a> they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): <a href="/2_samuel/1-22.htm">2 Samuel 1:22</a> From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. <a href="/2_kings/9-24.htm">2 Kings 9:24</a> Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot. <a href="/1_samuel/20-20.htm">1 Samuel 20:20-22</a> I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as if I were aiming at a target. / Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them,’ then come, because as surely as the LORD lives, it is safe for you, and there is no danger. / But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away. <a href="/1_samuel/18-11.htm">1 Samuel 18:11</a> and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. <a href="/1_samuel/19-10.htm">1 Samuel 19:10</a> Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. <a href="/1_samuel/20-36.htm">1 Samuel 20:36</a> He said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” And as the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. <a href="/1_samuel/21-9.htm">1 Samuel 21:9</a> The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” <a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6</a> So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” <a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm">1 Samuel 26:8</a> Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” <a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm">1 Samuel 31:3</a> When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. <a href="/2_samuel/2-23.htm">2 Samuel 2:23</a> But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. <a href="/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15-17</a> In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.” / So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers were. / And when the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of David’s servants fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died. <a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm">2 Samuel 18:14</a> But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left handed; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.<a href="/judges/3-15.htm">Judges 3:15</a> But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.<a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">1 Chronicles 12:2</a> They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.sling stones <a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">1 Samuel 17:40,49,50</a> And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine… <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">1 Samuel 25:29</a> Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.<a href="/2_chronicles/26-14.htm">2 Chronicles 26:14</a> And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/14-14.htm">Able</a> <a href="/judges/16-21.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-11.htm">Breadth</a> <a href="/judges/20-15.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/judges/20-15.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-18.htm">Err</a> <a href="/judges/16-22.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/judges/20-15.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/judges/3-15.htm">Left-Handed</a> <a href="/mark/4-13.htm">Miss</a> <a href="/judges/20-15.htm">Picked</a> <a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Right</a> <a href="/judges/20-15.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-15.htm">Sling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-18.htm">Slinging</a> <a href="/judges/9-53.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/judges/6-26.htm">Stones</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/4-6.htm">Able</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-7.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">Breadth</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-9.htm">Err</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-45.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/judges/20-17.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">Left-Handed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-6.htm">Miss</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Picked</a> <a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ruth/4-15.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">Sling</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">Slinging</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-14.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">Stones</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 20</div>1. <a href="/judges/20-1.htm">The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong</a> 8. <a href="/judges/20-8.htm">The decree of the assembly</a> 12. <a href="/judges/20-12.htm">The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites</a> 18. <a href="/judges/20-18.htm">The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand</a> 26. <a href="/judges/20-26.htm">They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Among all these soldiers This phrase refers to the Israelite forces gathered against the tribe of Benjamin. The context is a civil war within Israel, sparked by the grievous crime committed in Gibeah. The soldiers are from the eleven tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, who are seeking justice. This internal conflict highlights the moral and social chaos during the time of the Judges, a period marked by the repeated cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.there were 700 select left-handers Left-handedness is mentioned in the Bible as a notable trait, often associated with the tribe of Benjamin (<a href="/judges/3-15.htm">Judges 3:15</a>, <a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">1 Chronicles 12:2</a>). Being left-handed could provide a strategic advantage in battle, as opponents would be less accustomed to defending against left-handed attacks. The specificity of "700 select" indicates a group chosen for their exceptional skill, suggesting a level of military organization and specialization.each of whom could sling a stone at a hair The sling was a common weapon in ancient warfare, requiring great skill and precision. The ability to sling a stone "at a hair" signifies extraordinary accuracy. This skill would have been developed through extensive practice, reflecting the importance of slingers in ancient military tactics. The sling's effectiveness is also seen in the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), where David's skill with a sling plays a crucial role in his victory.without missing The phrase "without missing" underscores the remarkable proficiency of these soldiers. In Hebrew, the word for "sin" is often translated as "missing the mark," which can provide a metaphorical connection to spiritual accuracy and righteousness. The precision of these slingers can be seen as a parallel to the need for spiritual precision and faithfulness in following God's commands.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_tribe_of_benjamin.htm">The Tribe of Benjamin</a> One of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for their skilled warriors. In this context, they are preparing for battle against the other Israelite tribes. 2. <a href="/topical/l/left-handed_warriors.htm">Left-Handed Warriors</a> A group of 700 select soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin, noted for their unique ability to use their left hand with exceptional skill in battle. 3. <a href="/topical/s/slingers.htm">Slingers</a> These warriors were adept at using slings, a common ancient weapon, with remarkable precision. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_civil_war_in_israel.htm">The Civil War in Israel</a> This verse is set in the context of a larger account where the tribe of Benjamin is in conflict with the other tribes of Israel due to a grievous sin committed in Gibeah. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gibeah.htm">Gibeah</a> A city in the territory of Benjamin, where a heinous crime took place, leading to the conflict described in <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Judges 20</a>.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god_uses_unlikely_people.htm">God Uses Unlikely People</a> The left-handed Benjamites remind us that God often uses those who might be considered different or less conventional to accomplish His purposes. <a href="/topical/s/skill_and_precision_in_service.htm">Skill and Precision in Service</a> The Benjamites' ability to sling stones with precision teaches us the importance of honing our skills and using them for God's glory. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> The conflict in <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Judges 20</a> arises from sin and its consequences, reminding us of the importance of righteousness and justice. <a href="/topical/u/unity_and_division_among_god's_people.htm">Unity and Division Among God's People</a> The civil war among the tribes of Israel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of division within the body of believers. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Despite the chaos and conflict, God's sovereign plan is at work, encouraging us to trust Him even in difficult circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 20</a> <a href="/q/can_one_stone_fell_a_giant_warrior.htm">Is it scientifically plausible for a single stone to fell a trained giant warrior (1 Samuel 17:49)? </a> <a href="/q/is_ecclesiastes_10_2_culturally_biased.htm">Does the association of the wise with the “right” and fools with the “left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) reflect outdated cultural biases, and how does it align with modern moral or ethical views? </a> <a href="/q/is_king_eglon's_death_exaggerated.htm">Could the graphic details of King Eglon’s death (Judges 3:21–25) be historically accurate or are they exaggerated? </a> <a href="/q/jacob's_blessings_for_his_sons.htm">What are Jacob's prophetic blessings for his sons?</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>(16) Seven hundred chosen men.--These words are omitted in the LXX. and Vulg.Left handed.--The same phrase as that employed in <a href="/judges/3-15.htm" title="But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present to Eglon the king of Moab.">Judges 3:15</a>.Could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.--The expression is perfectly simple, and merely implies extreme accuracy of aim. Bochart's attempt (Hieroz. Ii. 162) to explain it by a passage in Quintus Smyrn?us, which says that archers used to contend which should be able to shoot off the horsehair crest of a helmet, is a mere specimen of learning fantastically misapplied. Skill with the sling was not confined to the Benjamites, as we see from the case of David (<a href="/1_samuel/17-49.htm" title="And David put his hand in his bag, and took there a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell on his face to the earth.">1Samuel 17:49</a>). The sling is the natural weapon of a people which is poor and imperfectly armed. Cyrus valued his force of 400 slingers (Xen. Anab. iii. 3-6). The inhabitants of the Balearic Isles were as skilful as the Benjamites, and children were trained to sling their breakfasts down from the top of high poles. They once prevented the Carthaginian fleet from coming to anchor by showers of stones (liv. xxviii. 37, solo eo telo utebantur). Practice made them so expert that the stones they slung came with as much force as though hurled by a catapult, and pierced shields and helmets (Diod. Sic. Bibl. v. 18). Exactly similar tales are told of the trained skill of our English archers. The advantage of slinging with the left hand was very obvious, for it enabled the slinger to strike his enemy on the right, i.e., the undefended side.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Seven hundred... men left-handed. It is curious that the tribe of Benjamin, which means son of the right hand, should have this peculiar institution of a corps of left-handed men. Ehud the Benjamite was a man left-handed (<a href="/judges/3-15.htm">Judges 3:15</a>; see also <a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">1 Chronicles 12:2</a>). The Roman name Scaexola means left-handed. For the use of the sling see <a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">1 Samuel 17:40, 49</a>. Diodorus Siculus (quoted by Rosenmuller) mentions the remarkable skill of the inhabitants of the Balearic Islands in the use of the sling, adding, in terms very similar to those of the text, that they seldom miss their aim. <a href="/commentaries/judges/20-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Among all מִכֹּ֣ל ׀ (mik·kōl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every these הַזֶּ֗ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that soldiers הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock there were 700 שְׁבַ֤ע (šə·ḇa‘) Number - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number select בָּח֔וּר (bā·ḥūr) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> Selected, a youth left-handers, אִטֵּ֖ר (’iṭ·ṭêr) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_334.htm">Strong's 334: </a> Shut up, impeded each of whom כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every could sling קֹלֵ֧עַ (qō·lê·a‘) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7049.htm">Strong's 7049: </a> To sling, hurl forth a stone בָּאֶ֛בֶן (bā·’e·ḇen) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> A stone at אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to a hair הַֽשַּׂעֲרָ֖ה (haś·śa·‘ă·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8185.htm">Strong's 8185: </a> Hairiness without וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no missing. יַחֲטִֽא׃ (ya·ḥă·ṭi) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">OT History: Judges 20:16 Among all this people there were seven (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:17" /></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>