Question 1

What does Judges 21:1 mean?

Accepted Answer

Judges 21:1 describes how the men of Israel made a solemn promise at Mizpeh, declaring that none of them would allow their daughters to marry anyone from the tribe of Benjamin. This vow set a boundary between the rest of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, following a time of conflict. The verse takes place after a civil war where the other tribes of Israel fought against Benjamin because of a terrible crime committed in Gibeah, a city in Benjamin. The leaders of Israel, gathered at Mizpeh, made this oath as a response to the events, which would later create a serious problem for the survival of the tribe of Benjamin, since they would have no way to marry within the nation.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:1

Accepted Answer

"Sworn" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to make a binding oath or promise, often with a sense of invoking God as a witness. Here, it shows the seriousness and permanence of the Israelites' decision. "Mizpeh" (מִצְפֶּה, Mitzpeh): This is the place where the Israelites gathered. The name means "watchtower" or "lookout," and it was often a site for important meetings or decisions. "Give" (נָתַן, natan): This verb means to hand over or provide. In this context, it refers to the act of giving a daughter in marriage, which was a family and tribal responsibility.

Question 3

Why Judges 21:1 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse explains the background for the crisis in the rest of Judges 21, where the Israelites later regret their vow and look for a way to prevent the extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. The seriousness of the oath highlights how decisions made in times of anger or distress can have lasting and unintended consequences for a community. Understanding this vow helps clarify why the Israelites take unusual actions in the following verses to find wives for the surviving Benjaminites, showing the tension between keeping a vow and preserving a tribe of Israel.

Judges 21:1 (KJV)