Judges 21:18 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:18 mean?

Judges 21:18 explains that the Israelites could not give their own daughters as wives to the men of the tribe of Benjamin, because they had made a solemn oath cursing anyone who did so. This verse highlights a dilemma caused by their earlier vow, which now prevents them from helping the Benjaminites rebuild their tribe through marriage.

The leaders of Israel are speaking to each other after a civil war nearly wiped out the tribe of Benjamin. They are trying to find a way for the remaining Benjaminites to have wives and preserve their tribe, but their own oath stands in the way. The verse shows the tension between keeping a serious promise ("sworn," H7650) and the need to care for one of their own tribes.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:18

• "Sworn" (שָׁבַע, shava‘, H7650) means to make a binding oath or promise. In this context, it emphasizes the seriousness of the Israelites’ commitment, which they feel cannot be broken even for a good cause.
• "Cursed" (אָרַר, arar, H779) is a strong word for invoking a curse or calling down misfortune. The use of this word shows how severe the consequences would be for anyone who broke the oath.
• "Give" (נָתַן, natan, H5414) appears twice and means to hand over or provide. The repetition underlines the act the Israelites have forbidden themselves from doing—giving their daughters as wives.

Why Judges 21:18 matters

• This verse clarifies why the Israelites could not simply solve the problem by arranging marriages from their own families, even though they wanted to help Benjamin survive.
• It highlights the serious weight placed on oaths in ancient Israel, even when those oaths later created difficult or unintended situations.
• The verse sets up the unusual solutions that follow in the chapter, helping readers understand the background to the actions the Israelites take next.