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)
While the numbers seem staggering, the text highlights something subtle: the entire fighting force of Benjamin, a whole tribe, was less than 27,000 men, and they were all gathered from their cities. This implies their ability to live and defend themselves outside of fortified places was severely limited, a stark contrast to their earlier strength.
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)
The Israelites are reeling from a horrific crime committed by the men of Gibeah, a city within the tribe of Benjamin, who brutally assaulted and murdered a Levite's concubine. In response, all the other tribes of Israel have gathered, demanding justice, and they are now preparing to march against Benjamin to punish the guilty and root out such wickedness from their midst. The passage then details the impressive fighting force that the tribe of Benjamin is able to muster in defiance of the impending Israelite coalition.
When facing a national crisis, a tribe gathers its strength. But what if that strength is surprisingly small? This verse reveals a stark reality about the tribe of Benjamin.
In Judges 20, the tribes of Israel unite against the tribe of Benjamin due to a horrific crime. When the muster roll is called for Benjamin, the numbers are striking: 26,000 men capable of fighting, plus 700 elite warriors from Gibeah. This total of 26,700 seems formidable. However, when compared to the earlier census numbers in the wilderness (Numbers 26), Benjamin had drastically dwindled, from over 45,000 to less than 27,000. This dramatic decrease points to difficult times for Israel after conquering the Promised Land, suggesting warfare, unsettled conditions, and perhaps even internal strife had taken a heavy toll on the population.
Among the thousands mustered, a small, elite group stands out. Who were these 'chosen men,' and why were they specifically mentioned?
The verse singles out 'seven hundred chosen men' from Gibeah. The context in later verses (Judges 20:16) clarifies these were 'left-handed slingers,' able to sling stones with deadly accuracy at their left ear, making them incredibly difficult to anticipate or defend against. This specific mention highlights their specialized skill and importance to the Benjamite forces. Even though they were a small fraction of the total muster, their unique ability made them a significant threat, underscoring that numbers aren't the only factor in warfare; specialized skills and elite units can have a disproportionate impact.
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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 numbers in this passage have been a source of discussion among scholars, with variations found in ancient manuscripts. However, the core message remains clear: the tribe of Benjamin, in its defiance and subsequent near-annihilation, represents a stark example of the consequences of widespread moral corruption and the resulting internal conflict within Israel.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Conquest and Settlement
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites conquered and settled in the Promised Land. This period, however, was marked by ongoing struggles to fully subdue the land and its inhabitants, leading to a time of relative instability.
c. 1400-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
This era was characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression, deliverance, and peace, often under the leadership of charismatic figures called judges. The nation lacked centralized rule, leading to localized conflicts and moral decline.
During the Judges— this verse
Gibeah's Sin and Tribe of Benjamin's Complicity
A horrific act of violence occurs in Gibeah, a city within the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. The other tribes of Israel demand justice, but the Benjamites refuse to surrender the perpetrators, leading to a civil war.
Following the War
Near Annihilation of Benjamin
After a brutal civil war, the tribe of Benjamin is almost completely wiped out, with only 600 men surviving. This event leads to a crisis of national identity and the near loss of an entire tribe.
Following the War
Efforts to Preserve the Tribe of Benjamin
The other tribes, regretting the near destruction of Benjamin, implement measures to ensure the tribe's survival and repopulation, demonstrating a desire for national unity.
This passage shows the original census count of the tribe of Benjamin, highlighting the significant decrease in their numbers by the time of this conflict in Judges 20.
Numbers 26:41Another census of Benjamin is recorded here, further emphasizing the numerical decline of the tribe from their wilderness numbers to the force mustered in Judges 20.
Judges 20:47This verse describes the aftermath of the battle, stating that only 600 men from Benjamin escaped, which provides a stark contrast and tragic end to the army mustered in verse 15.
1 Samuel 9:1This passage introduces Saul, who was from the tribe of Benjamin and a descendant of Kish, connecting the genealogy of a future king to this specific tribe.
Romans 11:1Paul uses the example of Benjamin to illustrate God's faithfulness to His people, suggesting that even a small and chastened remnant can be preserved and used by God.
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.
While the numbers seem staggering, the text highlights something subtle: the entire fighting force of Benjamin, a whole tribe, was less than 27,000 men, and they were all gathered from their cities. This implies their ability to live and defend themselves outside of fortified places was severely limited, a stark contrast to their earlier strength.
The Israelites are reeling from a horrific crime committed by the men of Gibeah, a city within the tribe of Benjamin, who brutally assaulted and murdered a Levite's concubine. In response, all the other tribes of Israel have gathered, demanding justice, and they are now preparing to march against Benjamin to punish the guilty and root out such wickedness from their midst. The passage then details the impressive fighting force that the tribe of Benjamin is able to muster in defiance of the impending Israelite coalition.
The Israelites are reeling from a horrific crime committed by the men of Gibeah, a city within the tribe of Benjamin, who brutally assaulted and murdered a Levite's concubine. In response, all the other tribes of Israel have gathered, demanding justice, and they are now preparing to march against Benjamin to punish the guilty and root out such wickedness from their midst. The passage then details the impressive fighting force that the tribe of Benjamin is able to muster in defiance of the impending Israelite coalition.
"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." — While the numbers seem staggering, the text highlights something subtle: the entire fighting force of Benjamin, a whole tribe, was less than 27,000 men, and they were all gathered from their cities…
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Last reviewed October 2026