Definition: And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 20:10. It's a really important and complex passage about God’s judgment against a group of people who were causing trouble in Israel. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Situation: A Large Group is Involved: The verse describes a massive, organized effort – roughly 100 men out of every 100 people in the tribes of Israel. This is a huge number. Focus on Gibeah: Gibeah was a specific area of Israel where the boundary between the Jewish and Amalekite territories was very thin. It’s a strategically important region, and it became a focal point for conflict. The Goal: To Provide Food for the People: God is telling these people – likely a group of leaders or a faction – to collect food (victuals) for Israel. The goal isn't just to have some food; it’s to ensure the Israelites have enough to survive and continue their work. A Warning About Their Actions: The verse is filled with warning. It says they’ve been making “folly” – meaning they’ve been acting wrongly or causing problems. What's Happening in the Verse? “Ten Men of an Hundred…”: This means a group of 100 people, but each one is actually representing 100 men out of every hundred total people within the tribes of Israel. It’s a deliberate grouping to emphasize the scale of their problem. “…Throughout All the Tribes of Israel…”: This tells us they're moving across the entire country – all the different regions of Israel. “…And an Hundred of a Thousand…": This is even bigger – 100,000 people! Think of it as a massive, organized workforce. "...To Fetch Victual for the People...": This clarifies that their primary purpose is to provide food. “…That They May Do, When They Come to Gibeah of Benjamin…”: Gibeah was the key location. The verse says they're going specifically to this area – the area of Benjamin – because of a specific problem they’ve caused. What Does it Mean? The verse suggests that these people were actively involved in causing trouble and disruption within Israel. Their actions have created problems that need to be addressed, and God is sending them to actively collect food as a consequence. It's a judgment against their behavior, highlighting the seriousness of their offense. Overall Significance: This verse is a dramatic example of divine intervention – God using a huge group of people to address wrongdoing. It’s about accountability and consequences for actions that damage the peace and well-being of Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Provide context about the time period (the story of Samson)? Explore the potential meaning of "folly" in this verse?