And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

JUDGES 21:5KJV
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Judges 21:5 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:5 mean?

Judges 21:5 describes how the Israelites asked which tribes had failed to gather with the rest of Israel before the LORD at Mizpeh, because they had made a serious oath that anyone who did not come would be put to death. This verse shows the Israelites enforcing a strict commitment to national unity during a crisis.

The verse takes place after a civil war between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. The leaders of Israel are speaking to the gathered people, trying to ensure that every tribe had participated in the assembly at Mizpeh, where they had sought guidance from the LORD. The "great oath" mentioned in the verse was a solemn promise, showing how seriously the Israelites took the matter of everyone being present for this important decision.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:5

  • "Oath" (שְׁבוּעָה, shevuah): This word means a solemn promise or vow, often invoking God as a witness. Its use here emphasizes the binding and serious nature of the commitment the Israelites made.
  • "Congregation" (קָהָל, qahal): This term refers to the assembled community of Israel. It highlights that the issue was not just about individuals, but about the unity and collective responsibility of the entire nation.
  • "Surely be put to death" (מוֹת יוּמָת, mot yumat): This phrase is a strong legal formula in Hebrew, indicating a definite and severe penalty. It underscores the seriousness with which the Israelites viewed disobedience to their communal oath.

Why Judges 21:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites were not acting on impulse, but were following through on a previously agreed oath, which shaped their actions in the aftermath of the conflict.
  • It highlights the importance placed on national unity and collective responsibility in ancient Israel, especially during times of crisis.
  • Understanding this oath helps explain the later actions in the chapter, where the Israelites seek ways to provide wives for the surviving Benjaminites without breaking their vow.

Where else these words appear

“oath” Hebrew H7621 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Joshua 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
  • Nehemiah 10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

“Mizpeh” Hebrew H4709 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • 1 Samuel 7:11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.
  • Nehemiah 3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.

“that” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;

“congregation” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
  • Nehemiah 7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,