And the LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel, and the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day. All these were men who drew the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This devastating number isn't just a tally; it highlights that almost the entire tribe of Benjamin, nearly 26,000 fighting men, was utterly annihilated. It's a stark reminder that while human action caused the destruction, the text insists this overwhelming defeat was orchestrated by God's hand.
And the LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel, and the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day. All these were men who drew the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a series of failed attempts and devastating losses, Israel devises a successful ambush strategy against the tribe of Benjamin, who had previously resisted all efforts to bring them to justice. This verse summarizes the catastrophic outcome of that final, decisive battle, stating that the vast majority of Benjamin's fighting men were annihilated that day, thanks to God's intervention. The narrative then details how this near-total destruction of Benjamin occurred, leaving only a small remnant of men.
In the brutal aftermath of war, who truly gets the victory? This verse points to a divine hand at work.
The battle described in Judges 20 was intense and devastating. The Israelites had suffered greatly, and the tribe of Benjamin had become a cancerous evil that needed to be purged. Yet, even in human conflict, the ultimate victory is attributed to God. The phrase 'the LORD smote Benjamin' is crucial. It reminds us that while human armies fight, God is sovereign over all events, including wars and their outcomes. He can grant victory, and He can bring down even a formidable foe for the sake of His people and His purposes. This isn't to glorify war, but to recognize God's active involvement in history, even in its darkest moments.
The numbers here are staggering – over 25,000 lives lost. How can we understand such destruction within God's justice?
This passage records the near-total annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. The reason for this extreme judgment was Benjamin's complicity in heinous sexual violence and rebellion against God's people (Judges 19). The text explicitly states that 25,100 warriors were destroyed, leaving only 600 survivors. This demonstrates the severity of sin and God's righteous judgment. When a people stubbornly pursue evil and refuse to repent, even a whole tribe can be brought to ruin. The phrase 'all these were men who drew the sword' emphasizes that these were the fighters, the ones who actively participated in or supported the wicked deeds. God's justice is fierce against persistent evil, and this event serves as a stark warning.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The supreme, covenant-keeping God of Israel, YHWH. The use of this name emphasizes His sovereignty, intervention in human affairs, and faithfulness to His people.
nagaph · Hebrew Verb
To strike, beat, or defeat an enemy. In a biblical context, it often refers to God’s sovereign action in granting victory to His people or executing judgment.
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A bladed weapon used for warfare and judgment. It serves as a symbol of military power, justice, and the authority to take life in battle.
This account highlights a dark chapter in Israel's history, where internal tribal conflict escalated to near annihilation due to a grievous sin. The immense loss of life underscores the severe consequences of wickedness and the brutal nature of warfare during the period of the Judges, emphasizing God's judgment.
c. 1350 BC
Israelite Tribes Form a Loose Confederation
Following their exodus from Egypt and conquest of Canaan, the twelve tribes of Israel operated as largely independent entities under a decentralized leadership structure. This period saw a decline in spiritual and moral adherence to God's laws.
c. 1350-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
This era was characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression by surrounding nations, and deliverance through charismatic leaders known as judges. The events in Judges 20 occurred during this time of widespread lawlessness and tribal conflict.
Undated, within the period of the Judges— this verse
The Levite's Concubine Incident
A horrific act of violence and injustice against a Levite's concubine, originating from Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, sparked outrage among the other Israelite tribes. This event served as the immediate catalyst for the conflict described in Judges 20.
Undated, following the incident
Tribal Assembly at Mizpah
The tribes convened at Mizpah to address the crime committed by the men of Gibeah. A decision was made to wage war against the tribe of Benjamin to punish the perpetrators and eradicate the wickedness from Israel.
Undated, during the war
Initial Battles Against Benjamin
The early engagements saw the Israelite forces suffer heavy losses against the Benjamites, who were skilled warriors defending their territory. This led to Israel's repentance and renewed reliance on God's help.
Undated, during the war
Destruction of Gibeah and Benjamin
Following a strategic maneuver involving an ambush, the Israelite army achieved a decisive victory, utterly defeating the tribe of Benjamin. The total annihilation of the Benjamite fighting force, save for a small remnant, is recorded in this chapter.
This passage describes a similar military strategy against the city of Ai, where a decisive victory was achieved through an ambush, mirroring the tactics used against Benjamin.
1 Samuel 15:3Saul is commanded to completely destroy the Amalekites, underscoring the concept of total judgment and eradication, which parallels the devastating outcome for the tribe of Benjamin.
2 Chronicles 13:15This verse speaks of God giving victory to Judah over Israel through a 'great slaughter,' highlighting the theme of divine intervention in warfare that results in massive casualties, just as described in Judges.
Romans 6:23The stark reality of the 'wages of sin' being death is powerfully illustrated by the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin, showing the severe consequences of their wicked actions.
clarkeJudges 20:35: "And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword."
Twenty and five thousand and a hundred - As the Benjamites consisted only of twenty-six thousand and seven hundred slingers; or, as the Vulgate, Septuagint, and others read, twenty-five thousand, which is most probably the true reading; then the whole of the Benjamites were cut to pieces, except six hund…
ellicottJudges 20:35: "And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword."
(35) Destroyed of the Benjamites . . . —Here again we have a summary of the final result, followed by details, in a manner which proves either that the narrative was compiled from various sources (one of which seems to have been a poem), or that it was penned before the “periodic style” of history ( lexi…
This devastating number isn't just a tally; it highlights that almost the entire tribe of Benjamin, nearly 26,000 fighting men, was utterly annihilated. It's a stark reminder that while human action caused the destruction, the text insists this overwhelming defeat was orchestrated by God's hand.
Following a series of failed attempts and devastating losses, Israel devises a successful ambush strategy against the tribe of Benjamin, who had previously resisted all efforts to bring them to justice. This verse summarizes the catastrophic outcome of that final, decisive battle, stating that the vast majority of Benjamin's fighting men were annihilated that day, thanks to God's intervention. The narrative then details how this near-total destruction of Benjamin occurred, leaving only a small remnant of men.
Following a series of failed attempts and devastating losses, Israel devises a successful ambush strategy against the tribe of Benjamin, who had previously resisted all efforts to bring them to justice. This verse summarizes the catastrophic outcome of that final, decisive battle, stating that the vast majority of Benjamin's fighting men were annihilated that day, thanks to God's intervention. The narrative then details how this near-total destruction of Benjamin occurred, leaving only a small remnant of men.
"And the LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel, and the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day. All these were men who drew the sword." — This devastating number isn't just a tally; it highlights that almost the entire tribe of Benjamin, nearly 26,000 fighting men, was utterly annihilated. It's a stark reminder that while human actio…
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Last reviewed October 2026