Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
JUDGES 21:19KJVWhat does Judges 21:19 mean?
Judges 21:19 describes how the leaders of Israel point out the location and timing of an annual festival dedicated to the LORD in Shiloh, giving detailed directions to where it takes place. This information sets up a plan for the remaining men of the tribe of Benjamin to find wives among the women attending the feast.
The verse is spoken by the Israelite leaders as they discuss how to help the tribe of Benjamin recover after a civil war left them with too few women. The leaders specify Shiloh as the site of the feast, noting its position relative to nearby towns—north of Bethel, east of the main road from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah. This careful description shows their intent to guide the Benjaminites to the right place at the right time.
The Hebrew behind Judges 21:19
- "feast" (חַג, ḥag): This word refers to a religious festival, often involving communal celebration and worship. Its use here highlights that the event is a major, recognized gathering, not just a local or private affair.
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): The festival is dedicated to the God of Israel, emphasizing its religious significance and the expectation that many Israelites would attend.
- "yearly" (יָמִים, yāmîm): The phrase is literally "from days to days," which is a Hebrew way of saying "every year" or "annually," underscoring the regularity and predictability of the event.
- "highway" (מְסִלָּה, mesillah): This word means a main road or thoroughfare, suggesting the location is accessible and well-known, which would make it easier for the Benjaminites to find the feast.
Why Judges 21:19 matters
- The verse clarifies the practical steps the Israelite leaders took to help the tribe of Benjamin survive, showing their concern for restoring a lost tribe.
- The detailed directions reveal how important it was to ensure the Benjaminites could find the festival without confusion, highlighting the seriousness of their situation.
- By connecting the plan to a festival of the LORD, the verse shows how religious events were woven into the social and communal life of ancient Israel, sometimes even being used to solve difficult problems.