Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

JUDGES 20:16KJV
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Judges 20:16 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:16 mean?

Judges 20:16 describes a group of seven hundred specially chosen men from among the people of Israel who were left-handed and exceptionally skilled with slings, able to hit a target as narrow as a hair without missing. This verse highlights their remarkable precision and the unique abilities of these warriors.

The verse is part of a larger account where the tribes of Israel are preparing for battle against the tribe of Benjamin. The narrator is listing the forces involved, and this detail about the left-handed slingers from Benjamin emphasizes both their selectiveness and their unusual fighting skills, which would have been a significant advantage in ancient warfare.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:16

  • The word for "lefthanded" combines אִטֵּר (itter, meaning "bound" or "restricted") with יָד (yad, "hand") and יָמִין (yamin, "right"), literally describing someone whose right hand is restricted—so they use their left. This hints that these men were not just left-handed by nature, but possibly trained or chosen for this unusual skill.
  • The word for "sling" is קָלַע (qala‘), which refers to a sling used for hurling stones. In the ancient world, slingers could be as effective as archers, and this word points to a specialized weapon.
  • The word for "miss" is חָטָא (chata’), often meaning "to sin" or "to miss the mark." Here, it simply means they never failed to hit their target, underscoring their accuracy.

Why Judges 20:16 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that all ancient warriors fought with swords or spears; it shows that specialized skills like slinging were highly valued and could be decisive in battle.
  • The emphasis on left-handedness and precision sets up the narrative tension, as the tribe of Benjamin is shown to have elite fighters, making the coming conflict more dramatic.
  • Understanding these details helps the reader appreciate the historical and military context of the story, showing that the biblical authors paid attention to the unique strengths within each tribe.

Where else these words appear

“lefthanded” Hebrew H334 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

“sling” Hebrew H7049 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • 1 Kings 6:35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

“hair” Hebrew H8185 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
  • 1 Kings 1:52 And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
  • Psalms 40:12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

“lefthanded” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 7:39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
  • Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.