King James Version
Judges 20:16 in the King James Version says “Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded ; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded ; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.”
Judges 20:16 · KJV
But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
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.
Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded ; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God , and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“Among all this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“there were seven”
H7651seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
“men”
H376a 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)
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“every one could sling”
H7049to sling; also to carve (as if a circular motion, or into light forms)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“breadth and not miss”
H2398properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
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.
Judges 20:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Judges 20:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge