What does Judges 20:46 mean?
"So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour." - Judges 20:46
Judges 20:46 (KJV) says, "So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour." This verse is part of a larger story found in the book of Judges, which is a historical narrative of the Israelites and their struggles to establish themselves in the Promised Land.
The context of this verse is the aftermath of a civil war between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin. The war was sparked by a horrific incident in which a Levite's concubine was raped and murdered by men from the tribe of Benjamin. In response, the other tribes of Israel demanded that the perpetrators be handed over for justice, but the tribe of Benjamin refused, leading to a violent conflict that resulted in the near-destruction of the tribe.
In this verse, we see the devastating outcome of the battle for the tribe of Benjamin, as twenty-five thousand men from their ranks were killed. It is important to note that the phrase "men of valour" is used to describe those who were killed, emphasizing their bravery and strength in the face of battle. This conveys the magnitude of the loss suffered by the tribe of Benjamin and the overall tragedy of the conflict.
One of the central themes in this verse is the consequences of sin and the importance of seeking justice. The incident that sparked the war was a clear violation of God's laws, and the refusal of the tribe of Benjamin to hand over the guilty parties only deepened the rift between them and the rest of Israel. The resulting conflict and loss of life serve as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and the need for accountability and justice.
Furthermore, this verse also highlights the destructive nature of division and infighting among God's people. The civil war between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin led to immense loss and suffering, tearing at the fabric of the nation and causing irreparable damage. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of internal strife and the importance of unity among believers.
Symbolically, the number twenty-five thousand is significant in its magnitude, representing the severity of the judgment that befell the tribe of Benjamin. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that can result from disobedience and rebellion against God. Additionally, the emphasis on the valour of the fallen men underscores the tragic nature of their loss and the honor due to those who fought bravely, even in a misguided cause.
Overall, Judges 20:46 serves as a poignant reflection on the consequences of sin, the importance of seeking justice, and the destructive nature of division among God's people. It stands as a sobering reminder of the need for obedience to God's laws and the destructive power of internal strife. As readers, we are called to reflect on these themes and consider how they apply to our own lives and communities, seeking to learn from the mistakes of the past and strive for unity, justice, and righteousness.
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Judges 20:46 - "So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour."
"So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour." - Judges 20:46
Judges 9:46 - "¶ And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith."
Jeremiah 46:20 - "Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north."
Luke 20:46 - "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;"
Judges 15:20 - "And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years."
Genesis 46:20 - "¶ And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him."
Ezekiel 20:46 - "Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;"
"¶ And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith." - Judges 9:46
Judges 20:29 - "And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah."
Judges 20:20 - "And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah."
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 5:20 - "They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera."
Judges 21:20 - "Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;"
Judges 20:27 - "And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,"
Judges 20:44 - "And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour."
Judges 20:24 - "And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day."
Judges 20:7 - "Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel."
Ezekiel 20:4 - "Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:"
Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."
Judges 1:20 - "And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak."
"And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years." - Judges 15:20
Judges 18:20 - "And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people."
Judges 20:9 - "But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;"
Judges 20:11 - "So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man."
"Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north." - Jeremiah 46:20
Judges 20:47 - "But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months."
Judges 20:41 - "And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them."
Judges 20:12 - "¶ And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?"
Judges 20:14 - "But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel."