Judges 20:10

Authorized King James Version

And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָקַ֥חַת
And we will take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
עֲשָׂרָה֩
ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#3
אֲנָשִׁ֨ים
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#4
וּמֵאָ֤ה
and an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#5
לְכֹ֣ל׀
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
throughout all the tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#7
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
וּמֵאָ֤ה
and an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#9
וְאֶ֣לֶף
and a thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
וְאֶ֣לֶף
and a thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#11
לָֽרְבָבָ֔ה
out of ten thousand
abundance (in number), i.e., (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)
#12
לָקַ֥חַת
And we will take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#13
צֵדָ֖ה
victual
food
#14
לָעָ֑ם
for the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#15
עָשָׂ֖ה
that they have wrought
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#16
לְבוֹאָם֙
when they come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#17
לְגֶ֣בַע
to Gibeah
geba, a place in palestine
#18
בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#19
כְּכָ֨ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
הַנְּבָלָ֔ה
according to all the folly
foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
#21
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#22
עָשָׂ֖ה
that they have wrought
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#23
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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