BibleWord.ai› Bible› Judges› Chapter 20› Verse 2

Judges 20:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 20:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
Judges 20:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto Jehovah at Mizpah.
2And the chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
3(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.) And the children of Israel said, Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass?
4And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was murdered, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.
5And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about me by night; me they thought to have slain, and my concubine they forced, and she is dead.
← Judges 20:1Judges 20:3 →
← Full Chapter 20 Judges Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the chief of all the people, etc.] The princes of the tribes and heads of families, rulers of thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and tens; or the “corners” f410, who were like the corner stones in a building, which are not only the most valuable and ornamental, but the strength of the building, which cement it, and support it, and hold it together; though Abarbinel thinks this intends the division and separation of each tribe, which encamped in a separate corner and side by itself: but the former sense seems best, and the meaning is, that the principal men of them, even of all the tribes of Israel; excepting the tribe of Benjamin: presented themselves in the assembly of the people of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The chief - literally, “the corner stones.” (Compare 1 Samuel 14:38.) return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Four hundred thousand - The number is here set down, to shew their zeal and forwardness in punishing such a villainy; the strange blindness of the Benjamites that durst oppose so great and united a Body; and that the success of battles depends not upon great numbers, seeing this great host was twice defeated by the Benjamites. Judges 20:3”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“drew sword: Jdg 20:15, Jdg 20:17, Jdg 8:10; Sa2 24:9; Kg2 3:26 Judges 20:3”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Judges 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification