Judges 21:15 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:15 mean?

Judges 21:15 says that the people of Israel felt deep sorrow for the tribe of Benjamin because the LORD had allowed a serious division to happen among the tribes of Israel. The verse highlights the regret and grief the Israelites experienced after realizing the consequences of their earlier actions against Benjamin.

The setting is after a brutal civil conflict where the other tribes nearly wiped out the tribe of Benjamin. The people speaking are the Israelites, reflecting on what has happened among themselves. The verse shows their emotional response—remorse and sadness—over the loss and division within their own nation, recognizing that this outcome was allowed by God.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:15

• "repented" (נָחַם, nācham): This word is often understood as feeling sorrow, regret, or compassion. Here, it shows the Israelites' deep emotional response, not just a change of mind but a heartfelt grief for what happened to Benjamin.
• "breach" (פֶּרֶץ, perets): This word means a break or a gap, often used for a physical break in a wall or a serious rupture. In this verse, it describes the severe split or loss within the tribes, emphasizing how serious and damaging the conflict was.

Why Judges 21:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Israelites did not act out of coldness or hatred; they later felt genuine sorrow for the near destruction of one of their own tribes.
• It highlights the seriousness of division within a community, showing that even actions taken in anger or justice can lead to regret and lasting wounds.
• The verse connects to the larger story in Judges, where the cycle of conflict and reconciliation among the tribes is a recurring theme, and it sets up the efforts to restore Benjamin in the following verses.