Jueces 21:21

21 y estad atentos; y cuando viereis salir las hijas de Silo a bailar en corros, vosotros saldréis de las viñas, y arrebataréis cada uno mujer para sí de las hijas de Silo, y os iréis a tierra de Benjamín

Jueces 21:21 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 21:21

And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to
dance in dances
As they used to do at this festival, not along with men, but by themselves; and so might the more easily be taken and carried off; and though only males were obliged to appear from all parts at this feast, yet females might come if they would; and, no doubt, from neighbouring places, at least many did; however, the daughters of Shiloh, who dwelt where the tabernacle was, these always attended the feast with demonstrations of joy, and among the rest with dancing, and that as expressive of spiritual and religious joy, as in the case of Miriam, and the Israelitish women, ( Exodus 15:20 ) and as in latter times the most religious men used to express their joy at this feast; now the two hundred men in the vineyards, which lay near the field where these virgins used to dance at this time, were to watch and observe when they came out of the city thither, and were engaged in such an exercise:

then come ye out of the yards, and catch you every man his wife of the
daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin;
they are directed to rush out at once upon them, as they were dancing, secure, as they thought, from molestation and danger; and they were to take everyone one, not more, and go off directly with them to their own tribe.

Jueces 21:21 In-Context

19 Ahora bien, dijeron, he aquí cada año hay fiesta solemne del SEÑOR en Silo, que está al aquilón de Bet-el, y al nacimiento del sol al camino que sube de Bet-el a Siquem, y al mediodía de Lebona

20 Y mandaron a los hijos de Benjamín, diciendo: Id, y poned emboscada en las viñas

21 y estad atentos; y cuando viereis salir las hijas de Silo a bailar en corros, vosotros saldréis de las viñas, y arrebataréis cada uno mujer para sí de las hijas de Silo, y os iréis a tierra de Benjamín

22 Y cuando vinieren los padres de ellas o sus hermanos a demandárnoslo, nosotros les diremos: Tened misericordia de nosotros de parte de ellos; pues que nosotros en la guerra no tomamos mujeres para todos; y pues que vosotros no se las habéis dado, para que ahora seáis culpables

23 Y los hijos de Benjamín lo hicieron así; y tomaron mujeres conforme a su número, arrebatando de las que danzaban; y yéndose luego, se volvieron a su heredad, y reedificaron las ciudades, y habitaron en ellas