Judges 21

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 21 of 21

¹ And the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, Not one of us shall give his daughter to Benjamin for a wife.

² And the people came to Bethel, and sat there before God until the evening. And they lifted up their voices and wept a great weeping.

³ And they said, O Jehovah, God of Israel, Why has this happened in Israel, to be lacking one tribe today from Israel?

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Chapter Summary

The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin. 8 By the destruction of Jabesh-gilead they provide them four hundred wives. 16 They surprise the virgins that danced at Shiloh.

Key Hebrew Words

שָׁבַע to swear an oath H7650 · TWOT 2319

קָהָל assembly H6951 · TWOT 1991a

בְּתוּלָה virgin H1330 · TWOT 295a

נַחֲלָה inheritance, possession H5159 · TWOT 1342a

מְחוֹלָה dance H4246 · TWOT 623h

חָטַף to seize, catch H2414 · TWOT 642

Timeline

Israel's Oath Not to Give Daughters to Benjamin

The men of Israel swear an oath in Mizpeh that no one will give his daughter to a Benjamite for a wife.

Judges 21:1

Israel Mourns the Near-Loss of a Tribe

The people gather at Bethel, weep bitterly over the potential extinction of the tribe of Benjamin, and build an altar for sacrifices.

Judges 21:2-4

Assembly Condemns Jabesh-gilead for Absence

Israel realizes Jabesh-gilead did not send anyone to the assembly at Mizpeh. Under a prior oath, anyone absent must be put to death.

Judges 21:5-9

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Judges 20 Judges Ruth 1