Judges 21:10

And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

And the congregation {H5712} sent {H7971} thither twelve {H8147}{H6240} thousand {H505} men {H376} of the valiantest {H1121}{H2428}, and commanded {H6680} them, saying {H559}, Go {H3212} and smite {H5221} the inhabitants {H3427} of Jabeshgilead {H3003}{H1568} with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}, with the women {H802} and the children {H2945}.

So the gathering sent 12,000 warriors there and ordered them, "Go, and put the people who live in Yavesh-Gil'ad to death with the sword, including women and children.

So the congregation sent 12,000 of their most valiant men and commanded them: “Go and put to the sword those living in Jabesh-gilead, including women and children.

And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.

Commentary

Judges 21:10 describes a severe military action taken by the congregation of Israel against the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead. This verse is part of the concluding chapters of the Book of Judges, which depict a period of moral and spiritual decline in Israel, often summarized by the phrase, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

Context

The events leading up to this verse are critical. The tribes of Israel had just waged a devastating civil war against the tribe of Benjamin, prompted by the heinous crime committed by Benjamite men in Gibeah (Judges 19). This conflict nearly annihilated Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive (Judges 20:47). After the war, the Israelites realized their extreme actions had almost caused a tribe to vanish, which was contrary to their identity as the twelve tribes of Israel. However, they had made a solemn oath at Mizpah, saying, "There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife" (Judges 21:1). To resolve this dilemma and preserve Benjamin, they sought a loophole. They discovered that the city of Jabesh-gilead had not participated in the assembly at Mizpah or the subsequent war against Benjamin, thus violating a communal vow (Judges 21:5). This absence made them a target, as their women could be taken as wives for the surviving Benjamites without breaking the oath of not giving their own daughters.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Measures: The verse highlights the extreme lengths to which Israel went to rectify a self-inflicted crisis (the oath). The decision to "smite... with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children" demonstrates a brutal pragmatism born of desperation to preserve a tribe.
  • Consequences of Rash Oaths: The entire scenario underscores the danger of making hasty, ill-conceived vows, especially those made in anger or zeal without divine guidance. The oath created an impossible situation that required further violence to resolve.
  • Preservation of Israel's Identity: Despite the horrific means, the underlying motive was the preservation of the twelve tribes of Israel. This reflects a deep-seated understanding of their covenant identity, even when their actions were morally compromised.
  • Moral Decline: This incident, alongside the events of Judges 19 and 20, paints a stark picture of Israel's moral and spiritual deterioration during this period. The lack of central authority ("no king in Israel") led to a society where shocking violence and questionable ethics were employed for communal ends.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "valiantest" refers to the most capable and courageous warriors among the congregation, emphasizing the military strength sent for this brutal task. "With the edge of the sword" is a common biblical idiom (Hebrew: l'pi cherev) signifying complete destruction or utter defeat, often implying no survivors except those explicitly spared for a specific purpose.

Practical Application / Reflection

While the specific actions in Judges 21:10 are abhorrent and not to be emulated, the passage serves as a sobering account of human depravity and the consequences of a society that has lost its moral compass. It reminds us of:

  • The importance of careful deliberation and seeking divine wisdom before making significant commitments or vows.
  • The destructive cycle that can result from sin and disobedience, where one wrong decision can lead to a cascade of further moral compromises.
  • The need for strong, righteous leadership that guides a community according to God's principles, rather than allowing everyone to do "what was right in his own eyes." This period of Judges stands in stark contrast to the later united kingdom under righteous kings, highlighting the importance of adherence to God's law for societal well-being (Deuteronomy 6:5).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 11:7 (3 votes)

    And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

  • Judges 21:5 (3 votes)

    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 5:23 (3 votes)

    Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

  • Joshua 7:24 (2 votes)

    And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.

  • 1 Samuel 15:3 (2 votes)

    Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

  • Deuteronomy 13:15 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that [is] therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.