They mustered 26,000 warriors, revealing a determined defense by the tribe of Benjamin.
“The sons of Benjamin were numbered on that day from the cities 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men” (v.15). This verse underscores the military readiness of the tribe of Benjamin, describing how they mustered 26,000 men who draw the sword plus 700 choice men from Gibeah. It is noteworthy that Gibeah itself holds a tumultuous history, having been the site of a grave moral atrocity that nearly led to the annihilation of the Benjamite tribe (Judges 19-21). Gibeah was located in the territory of Benjamin, just north of Jerusalem, and would later be significant in other biblical narratives, such as the story of King Saul, who came from Gibeah and ruled Israel around 1050-1010 BC. The Book of Judges as a whole is set during the period from around 1375 BC to 1050 BC, before Israel had a centralized monarchy.The mention that these 26,000 armed men were from the cities of Benjamin, combined with an additional 700 choice men from Gibeah, paints a picture of a determined and fiercely protective people, banding together after a heinous crime in Gibeah caused the rest of Israel to rise up against them. The Benjamites were known as formidable warriors in other passages (Judges 3:15, 20:16). Being left-handed was not uncommon among them (Judges 3:15), and this unique attribute at times gave them notable advantages in battle. Their willingness to rally so swiftly in this situation demonstrates both their tribal cohesion and the deep-rooted cultural values of clan loyalty, even in the face of overwhelming odds.This verse offers a vivid snapshot of how the tribe of Benjamin responded to a severe crisis with significant military force, setting the stage for the conflict that follows in Judges 20.
Set to dark mode
Judges 20:15 meaning
“The sons of Benjamin were numbered on that day from the cities 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men” (v.15). This verse underscores the military readiness of the tribe of Benjamin, describing how they mustered 26,000 men who draw the sword plus 700 choice men from Gibeah. It is noteworthy that Gibeah itself holds a tumultuous history, having been the site of a grave moral atrocity that nearly led to the annihilation of the Benjamite tribe (Judges 19-21). Gibeah was located in the territory of Benjamin, just north of Jerusalem, and would later be significant in other biblical narratives, such as the story of King Saul, who came from Gibeah and ruled Israel around 1050-1010 BC. The Book of Judges as a whole is set during the period from around 1375 BC to 1050 BC, before Israel had a centralized monarchy.The mention that these 26,000 armed men were from the cities of Benjamin, combined with an additional 700 choice men from Gibeah, paints a picture of a determined and fiercely protective people, banding together after a heinous crime in Gibeah caused the rest of Israel to rise up against them. The Benjamites were known as formidable warriors in other passages (Judges 3:15, 20:16). Being left-handed was not uncommon among them (Judges 3:15), and this unique attribute at times gave them notable advantages in battle. Their willingness to rally so swiftly in this situation demonstrates both their tribal cohesion and the deep-rooted cultural values of clan loyalty, even in the face of overwhelming odds.This verse offers a vivid snapshot of how the tribe of Benjamin responded to a severe crisis with significant military force, setting the stage for the conflict that follows in Judges 20.