שופטים, פרק ג׳, פסוק כ״ט

The defeat of ten thousand Moabite soldiers was a crushing blow against the elite military units stationed within the borders of the Land of Israel. Eglon, the King of Moab, had purposefully assembled his most formidable warriors in the regions bordering Israel. His strategy was to closely guard the territories he had already conquered and to push forward with further invasions [רלב״ג]. The ensuing battle resulted in total annihilation; not a single member of these occupying Moabite forces managed to escape with his life [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].

The fallen soldiers are noted for their distinct physical and social characteristics. The primary approach among commentators links their description to intense physical strength and an intimidating presence. In ancient times, a large, broad physique was a sign of a steady, rich diet, marking a person as exceptionally healthy and powerful [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These were robust, imposing men who naturally struck fear into the hearts of anyone who crossed their path [רש״י, רד״ק]. Beyond sheer physical size, this description also serves as a metaphor for wealth and high social rank. This perspective suggests that the casualties were not just common foot soldiers, but included the wealthy elite, high-ranking officers, and the upper class of Moabite society [רלב״ג, רד״ק].