Judges 20:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
לָקַ֥חַת
And we will take
H3947
לָקַ֥חַת
And we will take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 23
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֲנָשִׁ֨ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֨ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 23
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)
וּמֵאָ֤ה
and an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָ֤ה
and an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
4 of 23
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
לְכֹ֣ל׀
H3605
לְכֹ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
throughout all the tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
throughout all the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
6 of 23
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּמֵאָ֤ה
and an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָ֤ה
and an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
8 of 23
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
וְאֶ֣לֶף
and a thousand
H505
וְאֶ֣לֶף
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
9 of 23
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְאֶ֣לֶף
and a thousand
H505
וְאֶ֣לֶף
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 23
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
לָֽרְבָבָ֔ה
out of ten thousand
H7233
לָֽרְבָבָ֔ה
out of ten thousand
Strong's:
H7233
Word #:
11 of 23
abundance (in number), i.e., (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)
לָקַ֥חַת
And we will take
H3947
לָקַ֥חַת
And we will take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
12 of 23
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
לָעָ֑ם
for the people
H5971
לָעָ֑ם
for the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עָשָׂ֖ה
that they have wrought
H6213
עָשָׂ֖ה
that they have wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְבוֹאָם֙
when they come
H935
לְבוֹאָם֙
when they come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
18 of 23
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
כְּכָ֨ל
H3605
כְּכָ֨ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנְּבָלָ֔ה
according to all the folly
H5039
הַנְּבָלָ֔ה
according to all the folly
Strong's:
H5039
Word #:
20 of 23
foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare required extensive logistical preparation, especially for prolonged campaigns. The 10:1 ratio of combatants to supply personnel mirrors patterns seen in later Israelite military organization (2 Chronicles 25:5). The text's detailed focus on logistics emphasizes that Israel approached this as major warfare, not police action—showing how seriously they took covenant violation, yet also how quickly righteous indignation escalates to total war.
Questions for Reflection
- When do your thorough preparations for action reveal inadequate preparation in prayer and spiritual discernment?
- How do you escalate from proportionate justice to total warfare when dealing with offenses?
- What does it mean to match military (or practical) competence with spiritual wisdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—a decimation system (10% supply support, 90% combat forces) showing sophisticated military logistics. To fetch victual for the people (לָקַחַת צֵדָה לָעָם, laqachat tzeidah la'am)—the combat force would require massive supply lines. That they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel—the stated purpose: punish Gibeah's 'folly' (נְבָלָה, nevalah, covenant-breaking wickedness).
Israel's military organization demonstrates competence and scale but reveals concerning assumptions. They plan for sustained siege warfare against a brother tribe without first attempting diplomacy, negotiation, or calling for Benjamin to surrender the guilty parties. Their logistics anticipate total war—complete destruction of Gibeah—rather than targeted justice against specific perpetrators. Righteous causes pursued through disproportionate means become unrighteous. The chapter will demonstrate this truth: Israel's initial defeats stem not from military incompetence but from spiritual inadequacy. Their comprehensive preparation for war contrasts with their incomplete preparation of heart. When we make thorough plans for human action but minimal provision for spiritual discernment, we guarantee stumbling despite superior resources.