King James Version

What Does Judges 20:15 Mean?

Judges 20:15 in the King James Version says “And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, b... — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Judges 20:15 · KJV


Context

13

Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:

14

But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

15

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.

16

Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded ; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

17

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword—26,000 warriors from Benjamin's towns. Beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men—Gibeah itself fielded 700 elite troops. The total Benjamite force: 26,700. Israel's 400,000 (v. 2) outnumbered them 15-to-1, yet Benjamin chose war.

The numbers reveal Benjamin's confidence despite astronomical odds. Their 700 'chosen' (בָּחוּר, bachur, 'elite, select') warriors from Gibeah—the very city that committed the crime—suggests Gibeah's citizens united in defending the perpetrators. This communal solidarity with evil demonstrates corporate guilt. An entire city protects gang rapists and murderers rather than surrendering them for justice. The verse illustrates how evil metastasizes: individual sin → communal protection → tribal defense → civil war. Each level of defense compounds the original wickedness. Communities that protect predators become complicit. The mention of specific numbers underscores the reality: this is not metaphor but historical tragedy—tens of thousands will die because 700 men from one city refused to surrender criminals, and their tribe supported them.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Benjamin was the smallest tribe after Simeon, which had been largely absorbed into Judah (Joshua 19:1, 9). Their 26,000 warriors represented essentially their entire male fighting population. Cities typically could muster 10-20% of their total population for warfare, suggesting Benjamin's total population around 100,000-130,000. For the entire tribe to unite in defense of one city's criminals demonstrates how thoroughly tribal solidarity had overridden covenant loyalty.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do communities become complicit by protecting predators and defending the indefensible?
  2. When does loyalty to your group lead you to unite in defense of wickedness?
  3. What would it look like for your community to value justice over group protection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
הִתְפָּ֣קְד֔וּ1 of 20

were numbered

H6485

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

בְנֵ֨י2 of 20

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִנְיָמִ֜ן3 of 20

of Benjamin

H1144

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

בַּיּ֤וֹם4 of 20

at that time

H3117

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

הַהוּא֙5 of 20
H1931

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

מֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔ים6 of 20

out of the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

עֶשְׂרִ֨ים7 of 20

twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְשִׁשָּׁ֥ה8 of 20

and six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

אֶ֛לֶף9 of 20

thousand

H505

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

אִ֥ישׁ10 of 20

men

H376

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)

שֹׁ֣לֵֽף11 of 20

that drew

H8025

to pull out, up or off

חָ֑רֶב12 of 20

sword

H2719

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

לְ֠בַד13 of 20
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

מִיֹּֽשְׁבֵ֤י14 of 20

beside the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הַגִּבְעָה֙15 of 20

of Gibeah

H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

הִתְפָּ֣קְד֔וּ16 of 20

were numbered

H6485

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

שְׁבַ֥ע17 of 20

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מֵא֖וֹת18 of 20

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִ֥ישׁ19 of 20

men

H376

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)

בָּחֽוּר׃20 of 20
H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 20:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 20:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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