The answer is: They were all left-handed

Jdg 20:16

The 700 Benjamite slingers truly were an unusual bunch, notably for their exceptional skill and southpaw prowess. If you dive into the context of this tale, you’ll find that being left-handed in ancient times was not just a quirky detail. Many cultures viewed the left hand with suspicion or downright superstition. In the Hebrew Bible, even the notion of being left-handed had dual meanings, often tied to ideas of unexpected blessings or chosen-ness.

The peculiar ability of the Benjaminite warriors suggests something deeper about the nature of skill and identity. Imagine an ancient battlefield scattered with right-handed soldiers. These left-handed slingers could potentially catch their enemies off guard by attacking from an unexpected angle. It’s intriguing to think how the “outlier” can move against the norm and still be a formidable force.

Think of the symbolism here! Left-handedness in this context reminds us that the world often needs that which is unconventional. Just as David—another great figure from the tribe/Family of Benjamin—slayed Goliath with a simple sling in his right hand ironically, the Benjamites’ precision mirrors how unique talents can turn the tide in unexpected ways.

Sidebar trivia? The word "sinister" actually comes from the Latin for “left”! The writings here blend cultural cues with significant narrative threads threaded throughout the history of various unruly beloved tribes in the Biblical saga. So the next time you hear about the lefties of Benjamin, think of all the hidden potential waiting to be revealed!