Judges 21:1 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:1 mean?

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.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:1

• "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.

Why Judges 21:1 matters

• 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.