Judges 21:6

6 But the {Israelites} had compassion for Benjamin, their relatives, and they said, "Today one tribe is cut off from Israel.

Judges 21:6 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 21:6

And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their
brother
Not that they went to war with them, as if their cause was not good; but for the severity they had exercised towards them, especially in destroying their women and children, and for the fatal consequences like to follow here after, particularly the dissolution of the whole tribe:

and said, there is one tribe cut off from Israel this day;
that is, there is a likelihood or great danger of it.

Judges 21:6 In-Context

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."

6 But the {Israelites} had compassion for Benjamin, their relatives, and they said, "Today one tribe is cut off from Israel.

7 What will we do for them--for the [ones] being left over--for wives? For we have sworn by Yahweh not to give to them our daughters as wives."

8 They asked, "Which one is there from the tribes of Israel who did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah?" And behold, no one came from Jabesh-gilead to the camp, to the assembly.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "sons/children of Israel"
• [b]. Hebrew "his brother"