Judges 20:17

17 And the men of Israel besides Benjamin were counted four hundred thousand {sword-wielding men}; {all were warriors}.

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 From the cities the descendants of Benjamin were counted on that day twenty-six thousand {sword-wielding men}, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were counted seven hundred well-trained men.

16 From all these troops [were] seven hundred well-trained men {who were left-handed}; each one could sling with a stone at a hair and not miss.

17 And the men of Israel besides Benjamin were counted four hundred thousand {sword-wielding men}; {all were warriors}.

18 Then the {Israelites} got up and went up [to] Bethel, and they inquired of God, saying, "Who will go up first for the battle against the descendants of Benjamin?" And Yahweh said, "Judah [will go] first."

19 And the {Israelites} got up in the morning, and they encamped against Gibeah.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "men drawing sword"
• [b] Literally "all were men of war"