Judges 21:13 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:13 mean?

Judges 21:13 describes how the entire Israelite assembly sent messengers to speak with the surviving men of the tribe of Benjamin, who were hiding at the rock of Rimmon, inviting them to return peacefully. The verse shows an effort to restore relations after a violent conflict between the other tribes of Israel and Benjamin.

The setting is after a brutal civil war, where most of the tribe of Benjamin had been wiped out because of a crime committed in their territory. The "whole congregation" refers to the other Israelite tribes, who now regret the near destruction of Benjamin. The men of Benjamin are hiding at a place called the rock Rimmon, and the leaders of Israel reach out to them, seeking to make peace and bring them back into the community.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:13

• "congregation" (עֵדָה, edah): This word means the whole assembly or community, emphasizing that the action was taken by all the tribes together, not just a few leaders.
• "peaceably" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): This word means peace, wholeness, or well-being. The invitation was not just a call to return, but a genuine offer of reconciliation and restoration of peaceful relations.

Why Judges 21:13 matters

• Judges 21:13 helps clarify that the other tribes of Israel did not want the tribe of Benjamin to be completely destroyed, showing a shift from judgment to mercy.
• The verse highlights the importance of reconciliation after conflict, as the Israelites actively seek to restore fellowship with those they had fought against.
• This moment sets up the events that follow, where the Israelites try to find wives for the surviving Benjaminites, further showing their desire to preserve every tribe within Israel.