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.