Judges 20:46 - So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword. All these were men of valor.
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What does "Judges 20:46" mean?
Judges 20:46 states: "So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword. All these were men of valor."
This verse is a summation of the devastating defeat suffered by the tribe of Benjamin in the inter-tribal war recounted in Judges 19-21. Let's break down its meaning:
"So that all who fell that day of Benjamin...": This clearly indicates that it's talking about the number of Benjaminites who were killed in the battle. "Fell" is a common euphemism for death, especially in a military context.
"...were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword.": This specifies the number of Benjaminites killed – a staggering 25,000. The phrase "who drew the sword" identifies these men as warriors; they were of fighting age and actively engaged in combat.
"All these were men of valor.": This is a key phrase. It emphasizes that those killed were not just any men; they were "men of valor". This could be translated as men of courage, bravery, or strength. It suggests they were skilled warriors and fought valiantly, even in defeat.
Therefore, the verse essentially means:
On that day of battle, twenty-five thousand Benjaminites warriors died. They were all brave and courageous men.
Implications and Context:
Severity of the Defeat: The verse highlights the scale of Benjamin's loss. The tribe was nearly annihilated.
Tragedy: While the other tribes were victorious, the verse still acknowledges the loss of life, even on the "losing" side. The phrasing "men of valor" adds a sense of tragedy to the event, recognizing that the Benjaminites weren't simply cowards who ran away.
Irony: It's important to remember the context. The war began because of a horrific crime committed by some Benjaminites in Gibeah. The Benjaminites fiercely defended these criminals, even though it led to their own destruction. So, while these men are described as valiant, they were fighting for a morally questionable cause.
In essence, the verse serves as a tragic marker of the destruction wrought by the inter-tribal war, emphasizing the devastating loss of life on the side of Benjamin, while also acknowledging the courage of the men who fought and died.
Judges 20:46 - So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword. All these were men of valor.
What does "Judges 20:46" mean?
Judges 20:46 states: "So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword. All these were men of valor."
This verse is a summation of the devastating defeat suffered by the tribe of Benjamin in the inter-tribal war recounted in Judges 19-21. Let's break down its meaning:
"So that all who fell that day of Benjamin...": This clearly indicates that it's talking about the number of Benjaminites who were killed in the battle. "Fell" is a common euphemism for death, especially in a military context.
"...were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword.": This specifies the number of Benjaminites killed – a staggering 25,000. The phrase "who drew the sword" identifies these men as warriors; they were of fighting age and actively engaged in combat.
"All these were men of valor.": This is a key phrase. It emphasizes that those killed were not just any men; they were "men of valor". This could be translated as men of courage, bravery, or strength. It suggests they were skilled warriors and fought valiantly, even in defeat.
Therefore, the verse essentially means:
On that day of battle, twenty-five thousand Benjaminites warriors died. They were all brave and courageous men.
Implications and Context:
Severity of the Defeat: The verse highlights the scale of Benjamin's loss. The tribe was nearly annihilated.
Tragedy: While the other tribes were victorious, the verse still acknowledges the loss of life, even on the "losing" side. The phrasing "men of valor" adds a sense of tragedy to the event, recognizing that the Benjaminites weren't simply cowards who ran away.
Irony: It's important to remember the context. The war began because of a horrific crime committed by some Benjaminites in Gibeah. The Benjaminites fiercely defended these criminals, even though it led to their own destruction. So, while these men are described as valiant, they were fighting for a morally questionable cause.
In essence, the verse serves as a tragic marker of the destruction wrought by the inter-tribal war, emphasizing the devastating loss of life on the side of Benjamin, while also acknowledging the courage of the men who fought and died.