Judges 21:1

1 Now the Israelites had sworn at Mizpah, "No one of us shall give his daughter in marriage to Benjamin."

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 Israelites had sworn at Mizpah, "No one of us shall give his daughter in marriage to Benjamin."

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

3 They said, "O Lord, the God of Israel, why has it come to pass that today there should be one tribe lacking in Israel?"

4 On the next day, the people got up early, and built an altar there, and offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of well-being.

5 Then the Israelites said, "Which of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the assembly to the Lord?" For a solemn oath had been taken concerning whoever did not come up to the Lord to Mizpah, saying, "That one shall be put to death."