Judges 20:17

17 Not counting Benjamin, the Israelites called up four hundred thousand men armed with swords, and every one of them was a trained warrior.

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 On that day, the Benjaminites called up from their cities twenty-six thousand men armed with swords, not counting those living in Gibeah.
16 Out of this entire army, seven hundred specially chosen men were left-handed, and every one of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17 Not counting Benjamin, the Israelites called up four hundred thousand men armed with swords, and every one of them was a trained warrior.
18 Then the Israelites marched up to Bethel to ask for direction from God. They inquired, "Who should go up first to fight against the Benjaminites for us?" And the LORD said, "Let the tribe of Judah be first."
19 So the next morning, the Israelites got up and camped near Gibeah.
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