Judges 20:10
and we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to bring provisions for the people, that when they come they may repay Gibeah of Benjamin for all the outrage that they have committed in Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights a sobering detail: even in the midst of righteous fury against a horrific sin, the Israelites are meticulously planning for logistics. This isn't just about a swift retribution; it's about sustained military action, revealing their grim determination and preparedness to see justice done, no matter the cost or duration.
The tribes of Israel, united in outrage, have gathered to punish the men of Gibeah for a heinous crime committed against a Levite and his concubine. After a failed first attempt to subdue Gibeah, the Israelite leaders are now organizing a more sustained military effort, and this verse details their plan to provision their massive army by requisitioning one in every ten men from the contributing tribes. They are determined to make the tribe of Benjamin pay for the widespread "folly" they have brought upon Israel by protecting the perpetrators.
Why would the Israelites need to organize provisions for a lengthy campaign?
The text details a meticulously organized plan for supplying the Israelite army. The phrase 'ten men of a hundred, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand' is a vivid way of saying 'one in ten.' This means approximately 40,000 men were tasked with foraging and bringing provisions for the entire fighting force of around 360,000 soldiers.
This wasn't just about feeding the troops; it was a strategic decision. It implies they anticipated a prolonged conflict, not a quick skirmish. This careful planning demonstrates their commitment to seeing justice done, even if it required significant resources and time. It also highlights how even the logistical side of a holy war was deeply considered, reflecting a unified resolve.
What does it mean to 'repay' Gibeah for their wickedness?
The driving force behind this massive mobilization and logistical planning is to 'repay Gibeah of Benjamin for all the outrage that they have committed in Israel.' This isn't a call for simple revenge; it's about administering justice for an atrocity that defiled the entire nation. The crime committed was so heinous that it was considered an abomination even by surrounding nations, and its impact was felt across all the tribes.
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The 'repayment' here refers to a divinely sanctioned judgment. The Israelites, as God's chosen people, were responsible for upholding righteousness and purging evil from their land. Their action is described as 'doing according to all the folly,' meaning they intended to bring a proportionate and severe punishment commensurate with the wickedness committed. This shows a strong, unified, and righteous zeal to cleanse their community of profound moral corruption.
Understand the original words
gamal · Hebrew Verb
The concept of rendering justice or compensation for a wrong committed. It implies restoring the moral balance that was disrupted by a transgression, often involving retribution or punishment.
This verse highlights the practical preparations for a prolonged military campaign undertaken by the unified tribes of Israel. The systematic organization of provisioning, taking one-tenth of the fighting men for logistical support, underscores the seriousness with which they viewed the task of bringing justice for the atrocity committed at Gibeah.
Early Period of the Judges— this verse
The Crime at Gibeah
A Levite's concubine is brutally assaulted and killed by men of Gibeah, a city in the tribe of Benjamin. This horrific act sparks outrage throughout Israel.
Early Period of the Judges
Israel Gathers in Mizpeh
All the tribes of Israel (except Benjamin) assemble at Mizpeh to decide how to respond to the crime at Gibeah, seeking justice and demanding the criminals be handed over.
Early Period of the Judges
Benjamin Refuses to Cooperate
The tribe of Benjamin refuses to surrender the guilty men of Gibeah, leading to a decision by the united tribes to wage war against them.
Early Period of the Judges
First Battle and Defeat
The tribes of Israel attack Benjamin but suffer a significant defeat, highlighting the fierce resistance of Gibeah and prompting a period of fasting and prayer.
Early Period of the Judges
Second Battle and Defeat
Despite prayer and seeking God's counsel, the Israelites are defeated again, leading to despair and further self-reflection before a renewed strategy is formed.
Early Period of the Judges
Third Battle and Victory
Employing a new strategy with an ambush, the united tribes finally defeat the Benjamites, though the victory comes at a great cost.
This passage describes a census taken to organize Israel's fighting force, similar to how Judges 20:10 details the organizational plan for provisions, highlighting the need for structure in warfare.
Joshua 18:1This verse mentions the entire congregation of Israel gathering at Shiloh, mirroring the unified assembly of tribes in Judges 20:10, which demonstrates a collective response to a national crisis.
1 Samuel 11:7Here, Saul takes a yoke of oxen and cuts them in pieces, sending them throughout Israel to rally an army, reflecting the seriousness and widespread call to action seen in Judges 20:10.
Nehemiah 4:16-17During the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, workers were armed and assigned to provide provisions and security, showing a parallel organizational strategy for a community under threat, much like the plan in Judges 20:10.
clarkeJudges 20:10: "And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel."
Ten men of a hundred - Expecting that they might have a long contest, they provide suttlers for the camp; and it is probable that they chose these tenths by lot.
pooleJudges 20:10: "And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel."
That they may do according to all the folly that they have wrought; that we may punish them as such a wickedness deserves. In Israel: this is added as an aggravation, that they should do that…
This verse highlights a sobering detail: even in the midst of righteous fury against a horrific sin, the Israelites are meticulously planning for logistics. This isn't just about a swift retribution; it's about sustained military action, revealing their grim determination and preparedness to see justice done, no matter the cost or duration.
The tribes of Israel, united in outrage, have gathered to punish the men of Gibeah for a heinous crime committed against a Levite and his concubine. After a failed first attempt to subdue Gibeah, the Israelite leaders are now organizing a more sustained military effort, and this verse details their plan to provision their massive army by requisitioning one in every ten men from the contributing tribes. They are determined to make the tribe of Benjamin pay for the widespread "folly" they have brought upon Israel by protecting the perpetrators.
The tribes of Israel, united in outrage, have gathered to punish the men of Gibeah for a heinous crime committed against a Levite and his concubine. After a failed first attempt to subdue Gibeah, the Israelite leaders are now organizing a more sustained military effort, and this verse details their plan to provision their massive army by requisitioning one in every ten men from the contributing tribes. They are determined to make the tribe of Benjamin pay for the widespread "folly" they have brought upon Israel by protecting the perpetrators.
"and we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to bring provisions for the people, that when they come they may repay Gibeah of Benjamin for all the o…" — This verse highlights a sobering detail: even in the midst of righteous fury against a horrific sin, the Israelites are meticulously planning for logistics. This isn't just about a swift retribution;…
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