Judges 20:15
And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text singles out 700 "chosen men" from Gibeah, but their description as exceptionally skilled slingers appears later, suggesting their specific prowess wasn't immediately obvious in the general headcount. This detail hints that even within a tribe preparing for war, there were elite units whose unique abilities would soon be starkly revealed.
Following a horrific act of violence in Gibeah, all the tribes of Israel have gathered, horrified and determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. This verse details the formidable fighting force that the tribe of Benjamin, specifically the men from their cities including Gibeah, could muster in defiance against the united Israelite army. The immense number listed sets the stage for the devastating, multi-day war that is about to unfold.
In the midst of a horrific crime and the nation's judgment, one tribe digs in. What do these numbers reveal about their desperate situation?
This verse lays out the fighting force of the tribe of Benjamin. They mustered 26,000 men capable of fighting, plus an additional 700 elite warriors from Gibeah, the city at the center of the controversy. This brings their total fighting force to 26,700.
It's easy to skim over these numbers, but they are significant. They represent every able-bodied man from the tribe who could stand. This wasn't just a small faction; it was the collective strength of the tribe, preparing to defend their cities and their way of life, however wrong they were.
Notice the specific mention of "besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered seven hundred chosen men." This highlights Gibeah's central role in the events and the particular strength they contributed, setting them apart even within Benjamin's ranks.
The numbers here seem surprisingly low compared to earlier census counts of Israel. What might this decline signify about the state of the tribes during the period of the Judges?
When comparing this muster of Benjamin to the census figures from the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 1 and 26), a significant decrease is apparent. While the exact reasons are debated, this decline likely reflects the harsh realities of the era.
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Understand the original words
chereb · Hebrew Noun
The primary tool of warfare in the ancient world, often symbolizing military readiness, judgment, or the authority of the state to execute justice.
The sheer numbers gathered by Benjamin, though formidable, were significantly less than their historical census figures, likely reflecting the cumulative effects of generations of conflict and instability following the conquest of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Conquest and Settlement
Following their exodus from Egypt and time in the wilderness, the Israelites under Joshua conquer and settle the Promised Land. This period establishes the tribal territories, including that of Benjamin.
c. 1375 BC - 1075 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era in Israel's history marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression by surrounding nations, and deliverance through charismatic leaders called judges.
During the Period of the Judges
The Crime at Gibeah
An individual from the tribe of Benjamin commits a heinous crime in Gibeah, leading to a devastating civil war against the entire tribe of Benjamin.
During the Period of the Judges— this verse
Israel Gathers to War
The tribes of Israel, outraged by the atrocity at Gibeah, unite their forces to bring the entire tribe of Benjamin to justice, fearing further lawlessness.
This passage gives the census numbers for the tribe of Benjamin after their time in the wilderness, showing a significantly larger population than what is mustered here in Judges 20, highlighting the devastating loss of life the tribe had suffered.
Judges 19:22This verse describes the wicked act committed by the men of Gibeah, which directly led to the conflict and the mustering of Benjamin's forces described in Judges 20.
Judges 20:35This verse details the catastrophic defeat of the Benjaminite army, showing that the vast majority of the 26,700 men mustered here were ultimately slain in the battle.
1 Samuel 13:15-16This passage shows a later Philistine army, indicating that the tribe of Benjamin, despite their severe losses in the time of the Judges, was still able to field fighting men centuries later.
gillJudges 20:15: "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."
And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities,.... All that they could muster up, and gather together out of their several cities, were no more man than twenty and six thousand men that drew the sword able bodied men fit for war, and expert in it: beside t…
clarkeJudges 20:15: "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."
Twenty and six thousand - Some copies of the Septuagint have twenty-three thousand, others twenty-five thousand. The Vulgate has this latter number; the Complutensian Polyglot and Josephus have the same.
The text singles out 700 "chosen men" from Gibeah, but their description as exceptionally skilled slingers appears later, suggesting their specific prowess wasn't immediately obvious in the general headcount. This detail hints that even within a tribe preparing for war, there were elite units whose unique abilities would soon be starkly revealed.
Following a horrific act of violence in Gibeah, all the tribes of Israel have gathered, horrified and determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. This verse details the formidable fighting force that the tribe of Benjamin, specifically the men from their cities including Gibeah, could muster in defiance against the united Israelite army. The immense number listed sets the stage for the devastating, multi-day war that is about to unfold.
Following a horrific act of violence in Gibeah, all the tribes of Israel have gathered, horrified and determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. This verse details the formidable fighting force that the tribe of Benjamin, specifically the men from their cities including Gibeah, could muster in defiance against the united Israelite army. The immense number listed sets the stage for the devastating, multi-day war that is about to unfold.
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This demographic shift wasn't unique to Benjamin; the entire nation of Israel had seen a substantial reduction in numbers since the Exodus. It paints a picture of a people struggling to thrive and maintain their strength.
During the Period of the Judges
First Battle Against Benjamin
The united Israelite tribes engage the Benjamites in battle, but suffer a shocking defeat, questioning their cause and God's favor.
During the Period of the Judges
Second Battle Against Benjamin
The Israelites, though disheartened, rally for a second attempt. They again face the Benjamites and are again routed, suffering heavy losses.
During the Period of the Judges
Third Battle and Benjamin's Defeat
After seeking counsel from God, the Israelites launch a final, decisive assault, strategically defeating the Benjamite forces and vowing to eradicate them.
"And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men." — The text singles out 700 "chosen men" from Gibeah, but their description as exceptionally skilled slingers appears later, suggesting their specific prowess wasn't immediately obvious in the general h…
