Judges 20:17
And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
Original Language Analysis
אִ֥ישׁ
And the men
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 15
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
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הִתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ
were numbered
H6485
הִתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ
were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
3 of 15
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְבַד֙
H905
לְבַד֙
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
4 of 15
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
beside Benjamin
H1144
מִבִּנְיָמִ֔ן
beside Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
5 of 15
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 15
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אִ֥ישׁ
And the men
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 15
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)
חָ֑רֶב
sword
H2719
חָ֑רֶב
sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
11 of 15
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Four hundred thousand warriors represents a staggering military force—larger than most ancient Near Eastern empires could field. For context, the Assyrian Empire at its height mobilized approximately 120,000-200,000 troops. Israel's ability to field 400,000 from tribal militia demonstrates both the land's substantial population and the seriousness with which they took covenant violation. However, the lack of centralized command or standing army meant their coordination depended on tribal cooperation.
Questions for Reflection
- When do you trust in superior resources, numbers, or organizational strength rather than seeking God's direction?
- How has God used unexpected defeats to humble your pride and teach dependence on Him?
- What does it mean that righteous causes pursued without adequate spiritual preparation lead to devastating costs?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war (אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה, ish milchamah, 'men of war')—Israel's coalition fielded 400,000 combat-ready warriors, outnumbering Benjamin 15-to-1. The phrase 'beside Benjamin' (מִלְּבַד בִּנְיָמִן, millevad binyamin) emphasizes exclusion: all Israel united except the accused tribe.
The massive numerical advantage should have guaranteed swift victory, yet the following verses reveal two devastating defeats before Israel prevails. This demonstrates a crucial biblical principle: numerical superiority doesn't ensure success when spiritual preparation is inadequate. Israel's forces were vast, experienced, and unified, yet these advantages meant nothing against God's ordained outcome. The LORD used Benjamin's tiny army to humble Israel's pride and teach dependence. Israel's eventual victory (after 40,000 casualties) proved far more costly than Benjamin's initial surrender would have been. When both parties in a conflict are guilty—Benjamin for defending criminals, Israel for inadequate consultation of God—the resulting warfare becomes mutually devastating. The verse sets up the chapter's central lesson: trust in numbers, strategy, and unity fails without complete submission to God's will.