King James Version
What Does Judges 20:46 Mean?
“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.”
Judges 20:46 · KJV
Context
44
And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour.
45
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
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.
47
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
48
And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to. came to hand: Heb. was found they came: Heb. were found
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryVerse 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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural 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.
Reflection Questions
- 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?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 17 wordsוַיְהִי֩1 of 17
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָל2 of 17
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים3 of 17
“So that all which fell”
H5307to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מִבִּנְיָמִ֗ן4 of 17
“of Benjamin”
H1144binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אֶ֥לֶף7 of 17
“thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אַנְשֵׁי8 of 17
“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)
חֶ֖רֶב10 of 17
“the sword”
H2719drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בַּיּ֣וֹם11 of 17
“that day”
H3117a 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
הַה֑וּא12 of 17
H1931he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֶֽת13 of 17
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל14 of 17
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַנְשֵׁי16 of 17
“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)
חָֽיִל׃17 of 17
“of valour”
H2428probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
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 20:46 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 20:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge