Judges 21:16 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:16 mean?

Judges 21:16 describes a moment when the elders of Israel are deeply troubled because, after the war against the tribe of Benjamin, almost all the women of Benjamin have been killed, leaving the surviving men without wives. The elders ask how they can find wives for the remaining Benjamite men, since there are no women left in their tribe.

The elders (leaders) of the Israelite congregation are speaking to each other in the aftermath of a violent civil conflict. Their question shows their concern for the future of the tribe of Benjamin, which is at risk of dying out because its women have been destroyed (killed) in the conflict. This verse sets up the dilemma that drives the rest of the chapter, as the leaders try to find a solution to preserve one of Israel’s twelve tribes.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:16

• elders (זְקֵנִים, zᵊqēnîm): This word refers to the respected leaders or senior members of the community, highlighting that the decision-making is coming from those with authority and responsibility for the nation.
• congregation (עֵדָה, ʿēdāh): This term means the whole assembly or community of Israel, emphasizing that the issue is not just a private matter but concerns the entire people.
• destroyed (שָׁמַד, shāmad): This verb means to be annihilated or wiped out, stressing the total loss of the women of Benjamin and the seriousness of the crisis.

Why Judges 21:16 matters

• This verse clarifies that the elders are not just dealing with the aftermath of violence, but are actively seeking a way to prevent the extinction of an entire tribe of Israel, showing their sense of responsibility for the nation’s unity.
• The verse highlights the unintended consequences of civil conflict, as the Israelites now face a moral and practical dilemma caused by their own actions.
• Understanding this verse helps explain the unusual and desperate measures taken in the rest of the chapter, as the leaders try to resolve a crisis they helped create.