Judges 20:17

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

And the 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)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הִתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ

H6485

were numbered

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

לְבַד֙

H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

מִבִּנְיָמִ֔ן

H1144

beside Benjamin

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

אַרְבַּ֨ע

H702

four

מֵא֥וֹת

H3967

hundred

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֶ֛לֶף

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

And the 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)

#10

שֹׁ֣לֵֽף

H8025

that drew

to pull out, up or off

#11

חָ֑רֶב

H2719

sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#12

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#13

זֶ֖ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#14

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

And the 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)

#15

מִלְחָמָֽה׃

H4421

of war

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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