Judges 20:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Among Benjamin's forces were seven hundred elite left-handed slingers who could strike a target without missing.
What Does Judges 20:16 Mean?
The narrator highlights a renowned unit: seven hundred left-handed warriors so skilled with the sling they could hit a target as fine as a hair's breadth without missing. The detail carries a quiet irony, for the name Benjamin means 'son of the right hand,' yet its champions are left-handed. Their deadly precision marks them as elite, formidable in any fight.
Skill and prowess are real gifts, and Scripture does not deny Benjamin's excellence as warriors. But the verse reminds us that natural ability, however impressive, is no substitute for being on the side of what is right. These marksmen will not miss, yet their aim is turned against their brothers in a cause they should never have taken up. Gifts given by God are meant to serve his purposes; turned to defend evil, even the finest skill leads only deeper into loss.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 20:16
What does Judges 20:16 mean?
Among Benjamin's forces were seven hundred elite left-handed slingers who could strike a target without missing.