Judges 20:15

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִתְפָּ֣קְד֔וּ
were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#2
בְנֵ֨י
And the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
בִנְיָמִ֜ן
of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#4
בַּיּ֤וֹם
at that time
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#5
הַהוּא֙
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#6
מֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔ים
out of the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#7
עֶשְׂרִ֨ים
twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#8
וְשִׁשָּׁ֥ה
and six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#9
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
אִ֥ישׁ
men
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)
#11
שֹׁ֣לֵֽף
that drew
to pull out, up or off
#12
חָ֑רֶב
sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#13
לְ֠בַד
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#14
מִיֹּֽשְׁבֵ֤י
beside the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#15
הַגִּבְעָה֙
of Gibeah
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
#16
הִתְפָּ֣קְד֔וּ
were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#17
שְׁבַ֥ע
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#18
מֵא֖וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#19
אִ֥ישׁ
men
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)
#20
בָּחֽוּר׃
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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