Judges 21:1

A Decision Is Made About the Tribe of Benjamin

1 The men of Israel had sworn at Mizpah, saying, "None of us will give his daughter to Benjamin as a wife."

Judges 21:1 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 21:1

Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh
Where they were there convened, before the war began; after they had heard the account the Levite gave of the affair, which brought them thither; and after they had sent messengers to Benjamin to deliver up the men of Gibeah, that had committed the wickedness; and after they perceived that Benjamin did not hearken to their demand, but prepared to make war with them; then, as they resolved on the destruction of Gibeah, and of all the cities that sent out men against them, even all the inhabitants of them, men, women, and children, entered into an oath, that they would use those men that remained as Heathens, and not intermarry with them, as follows:

saying, there shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to
wife;
seeing those that used the wife of the Levite in such a base manner, and those that protected and defended them, deserved to have no wives.

Judges 21:1 In-Context

1 The men of Israel had sworn at Mizpah, saying, "None of us will give his daughter to Benjamin as a wife."

2 And the people of Bethel came and sat there until evening before God, and they lifted their voices and {wept bitterly}.

3 And they said, "Why, Yahweh, God of Israel, has it happened today in Israel that one tribe is lacking from Israel?"

4 On the next day the people rose early, and they built there an altar and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.

5 And the {Israelites} said, "Who in the assembly has not come up from all the tribes of Israel to Yahweh?" For a solemn oath was [taken] concerning whoever did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah, saying, "He will certainly be put to death."