What is the meaning of Judges 20:10? We will take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel The verse opens with a clear, calculated plan. Israel’s response to the moral outrage in Gibeah is not impulsive; it is organized and collective. • Every tribe is involved—no tribe is exempt from responsibility (cf. Deuteronomy 21:1-9). • A literal tithe‐like proportion (10%) demonstrates fairness and shared burden (cf. Numbers 31:4-5). • The phrase underscores national unity under God’s covenant; sin in one tribe affects the whole nation (Joshua 7:11-13). and a hundred out of every thousand The escalation of numbers repeats the same ratio, reinforcing Israel’s resolve. • Redundancy ensures no loophole—every clan must contribute (2 Samuel 24:9). • Such repetition emphasizes seriousness; this is more than a skirmish—it is a moral crusade aligned with God’s justice (Deuteronomy 13:12-15). and a thousand out of every ten thousand Again the pattern continues, expanding logistical coverage. • Israel counts men as God instructed in earlier censuses (Numbers 1:2-3). • The scaling illustrates practical readiness; larger troop contingents need proportionally larger support teams (1 Chronicles 12:22). to supply provisions for the army Provisioning is the purpose of the selected men. • Food, water, weapons, and medical supplies would be required for a prolonged campaign (1 Samuel 17:17-18). • This step prevents pillaging; moral purity is maintained even in warfare (Deuteronomy 20:19-20). • God often ties victory to faithful preparation (Proverbs 21:31). when they go to Gibeah in Benjamin The destination is explicit. • Gibeah’s sin is localized, but judgment must come from the whole covenant community (Judges 19:22-30). • Naming Benjamin signals the gravity of disciplining one’s own family, echoing Leviticus 19:17. • This action seeks to purge evil so that the LORD’s presence remains with Israel (Deuteronomy 23:14). to punish them for the atrocity they have committed in Israel The mission’s moral reason is stated plainly. • “Atrocity” recalls the unspeakable crime against the Levite’s concubine, equated with the wickedness of Sodom (Genesis 19:5-7; Judges 19:22-24). • Punishment is not vengeance but obedience to covenant law (Deuteronomy 22:25-27). • Corporate discipline safeguards Israel from God’s wrath (Numbers 25:1-4). summary Judges 20:10 records Israel’s deliberate, proportionate mobilization to address grievous sin within its borders. By assigning a tenth of their men purely for logistical support, the tribes show unity, preparedness, and covenant fidelity. The verse highlights both God’s demand for holiness among His people and the necessity of practical organization in pursuing justice. |
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