士師記 20:2 RCUVTS

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:2

(2) The chief.—The Hebrew word is pinnoth, “corner-stones,” as in 1 Samuel 14:38; Isaiah 19:13.Four hundred thousand.—Hence we learn the interesting fact that in their struggles against the Canaanites the number of the people had been diminished one-third—i.e., to a far greater extent than they had been diminished by the wanderings in the wilderness. For at the census in the first year of the wanderings their numbers were (including 35,400 of Benjamin) 603,550 (Numbers 1:46); and in the census... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 20:1-48

Judges 20:48 'Humanity, or mercy, is certainly not the strong point of Achaian Greeks. With them not only no sacredness, but little value, attached to human life; and the loss of it stirs no sympathy unless it be associated with beauty, valour, patriotism, or other esteemed characteristics. Yet here, again, the forms of evil are less extreme. We do not find, even in the stern, relentless vengeance of Odysseus on his enemies, or in the passionate wish of Achilles that nature would permit what it... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 20:1-48

; Judges 20:1-48; Judges 21:1-25FROM JUSTICE TO WILD REVENGEJudges 19:1-30; Judges 20:1-48; Judges 21:1-25THESE last chapters describe a general and vehement outburst of moral indignation throughout Israel, recorded for various reasons. A vile thing is done in one of the towns of Benjamin and the fact is published in all the tribes. The doers of it are defended by their clan and fearful punishment is wrought upon them, not without suffering to the entire people. Like the incidents narrated in... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Judges 20:1-48

CHAPTER 20 The Horrible War 1. The Levite’s story (Judges 20:1-7 ) 2. The uprising (Judges 20:8-11 ) 3. The slaying of the Israelites (Judges 20:12-25 ) 4. Benjamin exterminated except six hundred men (Judges 20:26-48 ) This and the concluding chapter bring before us the awful harvest of what had been sown. “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 ). They had sown the wind and now reaped the whirlwind. Violence and lawlessness result in the slaying of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Judges 20:2

20:2 And the chief 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 {c} drew sword.(c) Meaning, men able to handle their weapons. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Judges 20:1-48

APPENDIX TO THE BOOK The chapters concluding the book detail certain incidents at various periods during the preceding history, when the whole nation was disordered and corrupt, and “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” A MAN-MADE PRIEST (Judges 17:0 ) Chapter 17 tells of Micah who established his own imitation of the tabernacle. Of course it was contrary to the law and evinced ignorance and superstition, although the motive may not have been bad. ORIGIN OF THE CITY OF... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Judges 20:1-48

Judges 20:0 1. Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation [the whole community of Israel] was gathered together as one man [a phrase which disappears after the days of Solomon], from Dan even to Beersheba [from one extremity to another, a proverbial expression for all Israel], with the land of Gilead [the transjordanic tribes], unto the Lord in Mizpeh [not the one mentioned in Jdg 11:11 ]. 2. And the chief [literally, the corner-stones] of all the people, even of all the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Judges 20:1-2

The readiness of all Israel to assemble upon the complaint of the Levite, seems to say; the Lord had yet a seed to serve him. And no doubt, in the worst of times, this is, and must be the case. There is a sweet promise, to this effect, Isaiah 59:21 . Mizpeh, was not far from Shiloh; so that it became a well appointed place, for the collecting Israel together from Dan, the most northern city; and Beersheba, the most southern of all the provinces. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Judges 20:2

Chiefs. Literally, "angles and corner-stones," whose business it was to keep the people in order; or, all the different ranks of men might be designated. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "the climate," or country. (Haydock) --- Syriac and Arabic, "the families of all the people." (1 Kings xiv. 38.) (Calmet) read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Judges 20:1-13

The Benjamites Refuse to Deliver up the Guilty v. 1. Then all the children of Israel went out, all housefathers or able-bodied men leaving their homes, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, they assembled as a congregation, with the full consciousness of organic union, from Dan, the most northern town, even to Beersheba, the most southern city, the expression thus denoting a most general participation of the men of Israel, with the land of Gilead, the country east of... read more