Judges 21:4 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:4 mean?

Judges 21:4 describes how, on the day after a crisis among the Israelites, the people got up early, built an altar, and offered both burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. This act shows the community turning to worship and sacrifice as a response to their difficult situation.

The verse is set after a violent conflict within Israel, where the people are grieving and seeking guidance. The people ("עָם" — ʿam) are not named individually but act together, showing unity in their actions. Building an altar ("מִזְבֵּחַ" — mizbeach) and offering sacrifices was a traditional way for Israelites to seek reconciliation with God and express their dependence on Him during times of trouble.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:4

• "עָם" (ʿam) — This word for "people" emphasizes the collective identity of Israel, highlighting that the actions taken were by the whole community, not just a few leaders.
• "מִזְבֵּחַ" (mizbeach) — The word for "altar" refers to a specific place set apart for offerings to God, underlining the seriousness and sacredness of what they were doing.
• "עֹלָה" (olah) — Translated as "burnt offerings," this type of sacrifice was entirely burned on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication to God.
• "שֶׁלֶם" (shelem) — Translated as "peace offerings," these sacrifices were shared between God, the priests, and the people, representing fellowship and thanksgiving.

Why Judges 21:4 matters

• This verse shows that the Israelites responded to their crisis not just with action, but by seeking God through worship and sacrifice, which was central to their identity.
• The building of a new altar signals a fresh attempt at reconciliation and renewal after a period of violence and division.
• Understanding the types of offerings helps clarify that the people were seeking both forgiveness (burnt offerings) and restored relationship (peace offerings) with God.