1 Samuel 11:8
New International Version
When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

New Living Translation
When Saul mobilized them at Bezek, he found that there were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 men from Judah.

English Standard Version
When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Berean Standard Bible
And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

King James Bible
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

New King James Version
When he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

New American Standard Bible
He counted them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah, thirty thousand.

NASB 1995
He numbered them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah 30,000.

NASB 1977
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah 30,000.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah 30,000.

Amplified Bible
He assembled and counted them at Bezek; and the sons of Israel numbered 300,000, and the men of Judah 30,000.

Christian Standard Bible
Saul counted them at Bezek. There were three hundred thousand Israelites and thirty thousand men from Judah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul counted them at Bezek. There were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men from Judah.

American Standard Version
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Contemporary English Version
at Bezek. Saul had them organized and counted. There were 300,000 from Israel and 30,000 from Judah.

English Revised Version
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Saul counted them at Bezek, there were 300,000 troops from Israel and 30,000 troops from Judah.

Good News Translation
Saul gathered them at Bezek: there were 300,000 from Israel and 30,000 from Judah.

International Standard Version
Saul mustered them at Bezek, and there were 300,000 Israelis and 30,000 men of Judah.

Majority Standard Bible
And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

NET Bible
When Saul counted them at Bezek, the Israelites were 300,000 strong and the men of Judah numbered 30,000.

New Heart English Bible
He numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

World English Bible
He counted them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he inspects them in Bezek, and the sons of Israel are three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Young's Literal Translation
And he inspecteth them in Bezek, and the sons of Israel are three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will review them in Bezek, and the sons of Israel will be three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he numbered them in Bezec: and there were of the children of Israel three hundred thousand: and of the men of Juda thirty thousand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he took a census of them at Bezek. And there were three hundred thousand of the sons of Israel. And there were thirty thousand of the men of Judah.

New American Bible
When Saul reviewed them in Bezek, there were three hundred thousand Israelites and seventy thousand Judahites.

New Revised Standard Version
When he mustered them at Bezek, those from Israel were three hundred thousand, and those from Judah seventy thousand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he numbered them in Bezeq, and there were three hundred thousand sons of Israel, and the men of Yehuda, thirty thousand
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he reviews them at Bezec in Bama, every man of Israel six hundred thousand, and the men of Juda seventy thousand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Defeats the Ammonites
7He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they turned out as one man. 8And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah. 9So they said to the messengers who had come, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’ ” And when the messengers relayed this to the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced.…

Cross References
Judges 20:2
The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords.

Judges 20:10
We will take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred out of every thousand, and a thousand out of every ten thousand, to supply provisions for the army when they go to Gibeah in Benjamin to punish them for the atrocity they have committed in Israel.”

Judges 20:17
The Israelites, apart from Benjamin, mobilized 400,000 swordsmen, each one an experienced warrior.

1 Samuel 15:4
So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

1 Samuel 13:15
Then Samuel set out from Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. And Saul numbered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men.

1 Samuel 13:2
He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.

2 Samuel 24:9
And Joab reported to the king the total number of the troops. In Israel there were 800,000 men of valor who drew the sword, and in Judah there were 500,000.

1 Chronicles 21:5
And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.

1 Chronicles 12:23-40
Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ...

Numbers 1:2-3
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.

Numbers 26:2
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

Deuteronomy 20:9
When the officers have finished addressing the army, they are to appoint commanders to lead it.

Joshua 4:13
About 40,000 troops armed for battle crossed over before the LORD into the plains of Jericho.

2 Chronicles 17:14-18
These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor; / next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000; / and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor. ...

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


Treasury of Scripture

And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

Bezek

Judges 1:4,5
And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men…

the children

1 Samuel 13:15
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

1 Samuel 15:4
And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

2 Samuel 24:9
And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

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Bezek Children Hundred Inspecteth Israel Judah Mustered Numbered Saul Thirty Thousand Three
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Bezek Children Hundred Inspecteth Israel Judah Mustered Numbered Saul Thirty Thousand Three
1 Samuel 11
1. Nahash offers them of Jabesh Gilead a reproachful condition
4. They send messengers, and are delivered by Saul
12. Saul thereby is confirmed, and his kingdom renewed














When Saul numbered them
The act of numbering or mustering troops is significant in the biblical narrative, often indicating preparation for battle or a significant event. The Hebrew root for "numbered" is "paqad," which can mean to muster, visit, or appoint. This action by Saul demonstrates his role as a leader and king, taking responsibility to organize and prepare the Israelites for the impending conflict with the Ammonites. It reflects a moment of unity and mobilization under Saul's leadership, highlighting his initial acceptance and authority as king.

at Bezek
Bezek is a location of strategic importance, situated in the territory of Israel. Historically, Bezek is mentioned earlier in Judges 1:4-5 as a place where the Israelites defeated the Canaanites and Perizzites. The choice of Bezek as a gathering point for Saul's forces may indicate its logistical advantages or its symbolic significance as a site of previous victories. This setting underscores the continuity of God's deliverance and the ongoing struggle for the Israelites to secure their land and identity.

the men of Israel numbered 300,000
The large number of Israelites gathered reflects the widespread support for Saul and the urgency of the threat posed by Nahash the Ammonite. The figure of 300,000 men signifies a formidable force, suggesting that the tribes of Israel were willing to unite under Saul's leadership. This unity is crucial in the biblical narrative, as it demonstrates the potential strength of Israel when they come together under God's chosen leader. It also foreshadows the successes and challenges Saul will face as king.

and the men of Judah 30,000
The distinction between the men of Israel and the men of Judah is noteworthy, as it hints at the later division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah. At this point in the narrative, however, it emphasizes the inclusion of all tribes in the collective defense against external threats. The specific mention of Judah, with its 30,000 men, highlights its role and contribution to the national effort. This detail underscores the importance of unity among the tribes and the shared responsibility in the face of common enemies.

(8) Bezek.--Bezek was in the tribe of Issachar, in the plain of Jezreel, an open district, well adapted for the assembling of the great host which so promptly obeyed the peremptory summons of the war-signal of King Saul.

The children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.--It has been suggested that this verse was the addition of some late reviser of the book, who lived in the northern kingdom after the final separation of Israel and Judah, but such a supposition is not necessary to account for the separate mention of Judah and Israel, or for the apparently great disproportion in the numbers supplied by the great southern tribe. The chronicler, with pardonable exultation, specially mentions the splendid result of the young hero's first summons to the tribes, adding, with perhaps an undertone of sadness, that the rich and populous Judah to that great host only contributed 30,000. There is no doubt, as Dean Payne Smith well observes, that "as a matter of fact Judah always stood apart until there was a king who belonged to itself. Then, in David's time, it first took an active interest in the national welfare, and it was its vast power and numbers which made the shepherd-king, who sprang from Judah, so powerful." In the reign of King Asa of Judah, the numbers of the men of war of that proud tribe amounted to 300,000. It is, however, to be remembered that in the Old Testament Books, owing to the mistakes of copyists, numbers are not always to be strictly relied upon.

Verse 8. - He numbered them in Bezek. This place was in the tribe of Issachar, and must be distinguished from that mentioned in Judges 1:3, 4, which was in Judah, and too remote from the scene of operations. And here Saul appears as the commander-in-chief; for the numbering included the forming of battalions, arranged in thousands, hundreds, and fifties, and the setting officers over them. These, naturally, were the chief men in each district. The result would be that, coming to Bezek, the appointed rendezvous, a disorderly multitude, they would leave it as an army arranged in order, and Saul, in the many difficulties that would arise, would have his first opportunity of showing his powers of command. Children of Israel,... men of Judah - the distinction which ended in the disruption of the nation. Judah, too, with its 30,000 men, is but poorly represented, nor is it a sufficient explanation of the small number who came that the tribe had enough to do at home in making head against the Philistines. As a matter of fact, Judah always stood apart until there was a king who belonged to itself. Then, in David's time, it first took an active interest in the national welfare, and it was its vast power and numbers which made him so powerful. Had it been so nearly overpowered by the Philistines, it could not so suddenly have sprung forth with a might which made it well nigh a match for all the rest.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And when [Saul] numbered them
וַֽיִּפְקְדֵ֖ם (way·yip̄·qə·ḏêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

at Bezek,
בְּבָ֑זֶק (bə·ḇā·zeq)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 966: Bezek -- a place in Palestine

there were
וַיִּהְי֤וּ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

300,000
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ (šə·lōš)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

Israelites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and 30,000
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים (šə·lō·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth

men
וְאִ֥ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Judah.
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 11:8 He numbered them in Bezek (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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