Judges 21:9

9 For when the people were counted, none of the residents of Jabesh-gilead were there.

Judges 21:9 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 21:9

For the people were numbered
To know who did come up, and who did not, and particularly to know whether the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead did or not, against whom an information was brought:

and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead there;
for as yet none that came had returned home; all came to Shiloh first, to pay their devotion to the Lord; and as none were found among the living, it did not appear they were among the slain; and very probably the muster roll was taken before they went to battle, and they were not on that.

Judges 21:9 In-Context

7 What should we do about wives for the survivors, since we have sworn by the LORD not to give them our daughters in marriage?”

8 So they asked, “Which one of the tribes of Israel failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah?” And, in fact, no one from Jabesh-gilead had come to the camp for the assembly.

9 For when the people were counted, none of the residents of Jabesh-gilead were there.

10 So the congregation sent 12,000 of their most valiant men and commanded them: “Go and put to the sword those living in Jabesh-gilead, including women and children.

11 This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.”