Judges 20:46
So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים
So that all which fell
H5307
הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים
So that all which fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
3 of 17
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מִבִּנְיָמִ֗ן
of Benjamin
H1144
מִבִּנְיָמִ֗ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
4 of 17
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אֶ֥לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֥לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
7 of 17
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אַנְשֵׁי
men
H376
אַנְשֵׁי
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 17
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)
חֶ֖רֶב
the sword
H2719
חֶ֖רֶב
the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
10 of 17
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בַּיּ֣וֹם
that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 17
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
הַה֑וּא
H1931
הַה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 17
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
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
This verse describes the thorough nature of Benjamin's military defeat and the subsequent destruction of their tribal territory following the ambush strategy blessed by God after Israel's proper consultation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do victories that come after proper seeking of God still carry tragic costs?
- What does this reveal about the consequences of civil conflict among God's people?
- How can righteous judgments escalate beyond their proper scope?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 46 details the aftermath of Benjamin's defeat. So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of... The systematic destruction of Benjamin's territory represents the tragic outcome when civil war erupts among God's people—victory comes at devastating cost to the covenant community.