Judges 21:1

Mourning Lost Tribe

1 Now the men of Israel 1had sworn in Mizpah, saying, "None * of us shall give his daughter to Benjamin in marriage."

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 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, "None of us shall give his daughter to Benjamin in marriage."
2 So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly .
3 They said, "Why, O LORD , God of Israel, has this come about in Israel, so that one tribe should be missing today in Israel?"
4 It came about the next day that the people arose early and built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
5 Then the sons of Israel said, "Who is there among all the tribes of Israel who did not come up in the assembly to the LORD ?" For they had taken a great oath concerning him who did not come up to the LORD at Mizpah, saying, "He shall surely be put to death."

Cross References 1

  • 1. Judges 21:7, 18

Footnotes 1

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