Judges 21:1

ยถ Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

Now the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} had sworn {H7650} in Mizpeh {H4709}, saying {H559}, There shall not any {H376} of us give {H5414} his daughter {H1323} unto Benjamin {H1144} to wife {H802}.

The men of Isra'el had sworn in Mitzpah that none of them would let his daughter marry a man from Binyamin.

Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, โ€œNot one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.โ€

Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

Commentary

Context of Judges 21:1

The book of Judges concludes with one of the most tragic and disturbing episodes in Israel's history: a brutal civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. Judges 21:1 opens the final chapter of this conflict's aftermath, revealing the dire consequences of the previous events. Following the horrific incident involving the Levite's concubine in Gibeah (Judges 19:22-25) and the subsequent refusal of Benjamin to surrender the culprits, the other tribes of Israel gathered at Mizpeh (Judges 20:1) and engaged in a devastating war. In their righteous indignation and grief over the atrocities and their own heavy losses, the men of Israel made a solemn, perhaps rash, vow: that none of them would give their daughters in marriage to any man of Benjamin. This verse highlights the immediate and profound dilemma that arose from this vow, especially after the tribe of Benjamin was nearly annihilated, with only 600 surviving men (Judges 20:47).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Danger of Rash Vows: This verse immediately sets the stage for the primary theme of Judges 21: the severe and unforeseen consequences of making solemn oaths in haste or anger. The Israelites, driven by a desire for justice and retribution, made a binding promise without fully considering its long-term implications. This echoes warnings found elsewhere in Scripture about the seriousness of vows (e.g., Numbers 30:2, Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
  • Preservation of a Tribe: Despite the intense conflict, there remained a deep-seated commitment among the Israelites to preserve all twelve tribes of Israel. The oath threatened the very existence of Benjamin, leading to a desperate search for a solution to prevent its extinction.
  • Moral Dilemmas and Human Flaws: The narrative in Judges 21, beginning with this verse, exposes the Israelites' struggle with complex moral dilemmas. They found themselves caught between the divine expectation to uphold their vows and the profound regret of nearly wiping out one of their own tribes. It underscores the human tendency to act decisively in moments of crisis, sometimes without wisdom.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "had sworn" translates the Hebrew verb ืฉืึธื‘ึทืข (shava'), which signifies making a solemn, binding oath or covenant. In ancient Israelite culture, such oaths were taken with extreme seriousness, often invoking the name of God and carrying significant spiritual and social weight. Breaking such a vow was considered a grave offense against God and the community. This deep cultural understanding of oaths underscores the profound predicament the Israelites faced.

Practical Application

Judges 21:1 serves as a timeless warning about the importance of thoughtful deliberation before making significant commitments, especially those with binding implications.

  • Consider Consequences: Before making promises or commitments, particularly solemn ones, it is crucial to consider all potential long-term consequences, not just the immediate gratification or emotion.
  • Patience Over Haste: Decisions made in the heat of emotion (anger, grief, excitement) often lead to regret. The narrative encourages patience and seeking wisdom before acting.
  • The Weight of Our Words: Our words carry weight, especially when they involve solemn promises. This verse reminds us that integrity in speech is a vital aspect of character and faith.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 20:1

    ยถ Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

  • Mark 6:23

    And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give [it] thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

  • Judges 21:18

    Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed [be] he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:2

    Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: for God [is] in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

  • Acts 23:12

    ยถ And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

  • Judges 20:8

    And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any [of us] go to his tent, neither will we any [of us] turn into his house.

  • Jeremiah 4:2

    And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.