Judges 20:17

17 And the men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand men that drew sword; all these were men of war.

Judges 20:17 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 20:17

And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin
Who did not join them in this affair, but opposed them,

were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword:
see ( Judges 20:9 )

all these were men of war;
inured to it, skilful and courageous.

Judges 20:17 In-Context

15 And the Benjaminites mustered out of their cities on that day twenty-six thousand men that drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gib'e-ah, who mustered seven hundred picked men.
16 Among all these were seven hundred picked men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair, and not miss.
17 And the men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand men that drew sword; all these were men of war.
18 The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, "Which of us shall go up first to battle against the Benjaminites?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."
19 Then the people of Israel rose in the morning, and encamped against Gib'e-ah.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.