Judges 21:7 (KJV)

What does Judges 21:7 mean?

Judges 21:7 describes the Israelites’ dilemma after a civil war: they need wives for the surviving men of the tribe of Benjamin, but they have sworn an oath before the LORD not to give their own daughters as wives to them. This verse shows their struggle to find a solution that does not break their vow.

The leaders of Israel are speaking among themselves after the near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin. Their oath (a solemn promise made to the LORD, or יְהוָה, YHWH) has put them in a difficult position: they want to help their fellow Israelites, but their own words have tied their hands. This moment highlights the seriousness with which oaths were taken in ancient Israel and the real-life consequences of such decisions.

The Hebrew behind Judges 21:7

• "Sworn" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to make a solemn oath or promise, especially one made before God. The use of this word underlines the binding nature of their commitment.
• "Give" (נָתַן, natan): This verb means to hand over or provide. Here, it emphasizes the active role the Israelites would have to take in providing wives, which their oath forbids.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): The specific name for God used here stresses that the oath was made directly in God’s presence, making it especially serious and unbreakable.

Why Judges 21:7 matters

• This verse clarifies why the Israelites cannot simply resolve the problem by offering their daughters: their oath before God is absolute in their minds.
• It shows the tension between compassion for their fellow tribe and the weight of a vow, revealing the complexity of moral decisions in ancient Israel.
• The verse sets up the unusual solutions that follow in the chapter, helping the reader understand why such drastic measures were considered.