King James Version

What Does Judges 20:2 Mean?

Judges 20:2 in the King James Version says “And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of... — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.

Judges 20:2 · KJV


Context

1

Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

2

And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.

3

(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?

4

And the Levite , the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. the Levite: Heb. the man the Levite


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God—the Hebrew emphasizes comprehensiveness: kol-ha'am (כָּל־הָעָם, 'all the people'), kol-shivtei yisra'el (כָּל־שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'all tribes of Israel'). This national assembly at Mizpah represents one of the few times in Judges when Israel acts in unity. Four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword—an enormous military force demonstrating the gravity of Gibeah's crime and Israel's corporate response.

The phrase assembly of the people of God (קְהַל עַם הָאֱלֹהִים, qehal am ha'elohim) ironically highlights that God's covenant people gathered to address sin among themselves. This is simultaneously encouraging (they recognize covenant obligation to maintain holiness) and troubling (the assembled mass will proceed with incomplete consultation of God). The chapter reveals that even righteous causes pursued without proper dependence on God lead to disaster. Numbers don't guarantee divine approval—zealous multitudes can be corporately wrong. Israel's unity in outrage contrasts sharply with their fragmentation throughout Judges, yet unity around the wrong approach (trusting in numbers rather than seeking God's full counsel) proves nearly as destructive as the original crime.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mizpah ('watchtower'), located in Benjamin's territory, served as a gathering place for national assemblies (1 Samuel 7:5-6; 10:17). The 400,000 warriors represents the largest military mobilization mentioned in Judges. While some scholars question this number's literal accuracy, it emphasizes the unprecedented scale of response. Archaeological evidence confirms this period saw significant population in the central hill country.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do large numbers, popular consensus, or organizational unity sometimes substitute for genuine dependence on God?
  2. When has your righteous indignation about others' sins led you to act without fully seeking God's wisdom?
  3. What distinguishes godly corporate action from mob mentality dressed in religious language?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֞וּ1 of 17

presented

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

פִּנּ֣וֹת2 of 17

And the chief

H6438

an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain

כָּל3 of 17
H3605

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

עַ֣ם4 of 17

of all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כֹּ֚ל5 of 17
H3605

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

שִׁבְטֵ֣י6 of 17

even of all the tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 17

of Israel

H3478

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

בִּקְהַ֖ל8 of 17

themselves in the assembly

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

עַ֣ם9 of 17

of all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים10 of 17

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אַרְבַּ֨ע11 of 17

four

H702

four

מֵא֥וֹת12 of 17

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֶ֛לֶף13 of 17

thousand

H505

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

אִ֥ישׁ14 of 17

footmen

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)

רַגְלִ֖י15 of 17
H7273

a footman (soldier)

שֹׁ֥לֵֽף16 of 17

that drew

H8025

to pull out, up or off

חָֽרֶב׃17 of 17

sword

H2719

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


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 20:2 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 20:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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