Judges 21:17

KJV

And they said, [There must be] an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559}, There must be an inheritance {H3425} for them that be escaped {H6413} of Benjamin {H1144}, that a tribe {H7626} be not destroyed {H4229} out of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said, "There has to be a way to help the survivors preserve Binyamin's inheritance, so that a tribe will not be eliminated from Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

They added, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.

American Standard Version

And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not blotted out from Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 21:17 captures the profound anguish and urgent resolve of the Israelite tribes as they grapple with the near annihilation of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, following a devastating civil war. This verse articulates their collective realization that, despite the justice of their initial retribution against Benjamin, the potential extinction of an entire tribal lineage represented an unacceptable breach in the divinely ordained structure of Israel. It underscores their desperate search for a solution to ensure the preservation of Benjamin's inheritance and their place within the covenant community, thereby preventing the permanent loss of one of God's chosen tribes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 21:17 is situated at the climax of one of the most disturbing narratives in the book of Judges, spanning chapters 19-21. This segment details the horrific rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in Gibeah of Benjamin, leading to a brutal civil war where the other tribes of Israel sought justice against Benjamin. The preceding chapters meticulously recount the near-total destruction of Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive. The immediate context of Judges 21 involves the remaining tribes lamenting their actions and realizing the catastrophic implications of their solemn oath at Mizpah, where they swore not to give their daughters in marriage to Benjamin. This verse marks a pivotal moment where the focus shifts from punitive justice to a desperate, if morally compromised, search for the preservation and restoration of a diminished tribe.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges depicts a chaotic period in Israel's history, characterized by a lack of central leadership, moral decay, and a cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. The phrase "in those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")) serves as a recurring refrain, perfectly encapsulating the societal breakdown that led to such extreme violence and desperate measures. The concept of "inheritance" (`nachalah`) was foundational to Israelite identity and the covenant with God, signifying not merely land ownership but a divinely allotted portion that connected each tribe to the Promised Land and their future within the nation. The potential loss of a tribe, therefore, was not just a demographic issue but a theological crisis, threatening the very structure of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob, which represented the fullness of God's people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Judges and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **preservation of God's covenant people**, emphasizing that even in their darkest moments of human failure and moral compromise, there was a deep-seated recognition of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the twelve tribes, a foundational element of God's plan for Israel. Secondly, it underscores the **devastating consequences of rash vows and unbridled sin**. The initial heinous crime in [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite's Concubine") spiraled into a civil war, leading to the unintended consequence of Benjamin's near extinction, forcing the Israelites to confront the ripple effects of their actions and oaths. Thirdly, it reveals the human, albeit flawed, **attempt at rectification and restoration**. Despite the moral chaos, the tribes recognized the dire situation and sought a way to correct their errors and ensure Benjamin's survival, even if their methods (such as the abduction of women from [Jabesh-Gilead](/judges/21-10 "Judges 21:10 - Attack on Jabesh-Gilead") and [Shiloh](/judges/21-21 "Judges 21:21 - Abduction at Shiloh")) were themselves ethically questionable, reflecting the pervasive moral ambiguity of the era.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _naḥălâ'_):** This term (נַחֲלָה) is central to the verse's meaning. It refers to an allotted possession, typically land, which was foundational to the identity, economic stability, and future of each Israelite tribe and family. It was not merely property but a divinely given heritage, connecting the people to the covenant promises of God concerning the land of Canaan. The concern for Benjamin's "inheritance" implies a desire to re-establish their tribal identity, secure their place within the land, and enable them to flourish as a distinct lineage within Israel, fulfilling the promise of [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Lot").
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _šāmad'_):** The verb (שָׁמַד) signifies utter annihilation, to be completely cut off or wiped out. Its use here emphasizes the existential threat to the tribe of Benjamin. The thought of one of the twelve tribes being "destroyed out of Israel" was abhorrent, as it would diminish the complete identity of God's chosen people and undermine the divinely established tribal structure that originated with Jacob's sons. It highlights the gravity of the situation and the perceived necessity of preventing such a catastrophic outcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said":** This phrase refers to the collective voice of the Israelite assembly, representing the remaining tribes who had gathered after the civil war. It signifies a moment of shared realization, lament, and deliberation, as they collectively acknowledged the unintended and devastating consequences of their actions against Benjamin. It underscores a shift from punitive action to a desperate search for resolution.
* **"[There must be] an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin":** This clause reveals the core problem and the proposed solution. The survivors of Benjamin (only 600 men) needed not just wives but also a land inheritance to rebuild their tribe. Without an inheritance, they would have no place to settle, no means of livelihood, and no foundation upon which to re-establish their families and tribal identity within Israel. The phrase "escaped of Benjamin" highlights the miraculous and precarious nature of their survival, emphasizing their status as a remnant.
* **"that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel":** This final clause articulates the ultimate motivation behind their actions. The primary concern was to prevent the complete eradication of one of the twelve tribes. The idea of a tribe being "destroyed" was antithetical to God's covenant plan and the integrity of the nation. This statement reflects a theological and national imperative to preserve the tribal structure, even if it required morally ambiguous means to achieve it.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative culminating in Judges 21:17 is rich with literary devices that amplify its tragic and complex themes. **Irony** is pervasive, as the tribes, in their pursuit of justice against Benjamin, inadvertently bring the tribe to the brink of extinction, forcing them to then devise ethically questionable means to preserve the very tribe they almost destroyed. This creates a deeply **Tragic** atmosphere, where righteous indignation leads to devastating consequences, highlighting the moral chaos of the era where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The repeated emphasis on the "destruction" of a tribe and the desperate need for "inheritance" also functions as **Thematic Repetition**, reinforcing the gravity of the situation and the foundational importance of tribal identity and land in Israelite society. The entire account serves as a powerful **Cautionary Tale**, illustrating the dangers of unbridled human passion, rash vows, and the absence of clear, God-centered leadership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 21:17, while depicting a dark chapter in Israel's history, profoundly illuminates God's enduring commitment to His covenant people, even when they falter. The desperate desire to preserve Benjamin reflects a latent understanding of God's design for Israel as a twelve-tribe nation, a structure ordained by divine promise. Despite human sin, violence, and moral compromise, the narrative reveals a providential undercurrent that seeks to maintain the integrity of Israel, demonstrating that God's purposes for His people are resilient even amidst their darkest failures. This verse implicitly points to the sanctity of life and the importance of community, reminding us that the loss of any part diminishes the whole, echoing a divine desire for preservation and continuity.

* [Genesis 49:27](/genesis/49-27 "Jacob's Prophecy for Benjamin")
* [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Allotment of Land by Tribe")
* [Deuteronomy 29:14-15](/deuteronomy/29-14 "The Covenant for Future Generations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 21:17 serves as a stark reminder of the profound and often unintended consequences of human actions, particularly when guided by passion rather than divine wisdom. It challenges us to consider the long-term ripple effects of our decisions, even those made with seemingly good intentions. The Israelites' urgent desire to preserve Benjamin underscores the inherent value of every member within a community—whether family, church, or society—and the importance of actively seeking restorative solutions when harm has been done. It also highlights the critical need for wise, godly leadership and adherence to moral principles, as the absence of such guidance can lead to societal breakdown and desperate, ethically compromised measures. Ultimately, this verse, set against the backdrop of human failure, subtly points to a divine principle of preservation and the hope for restoration, even when circumstances seem irredeemable, urging us to pursue reconciliation and the flourishing of all within God's design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our actions, even those intended for justice, sometimes lead to unintended and devastating consequences?**
* **In what ways do we, as individuals or communities, sometimes prioritize immediate retribution over long-term restoration and preservation?**
* **What does the Israelites' desperate attempt to preserve Benjamin teach us about the value of every individual and group within a community or the body of Christ?**
* **How can we cultivate wisdom and seek God's guidance to avoid rash decisions and ensure our actions align with His restorative purposes?**

### FAQ

**Why was the preservation of the tribe of Benjamin so important to the other Israelites, given the horrific crime they had committed?**

Answer: The preservation of Benjamin was crucial because the Israelites understood themselves as a twelve-tribe nation, divinely ordained from the time of Jacob's sons. The loss of any one tribe would diminish the complete identity of God's chosen people and break the sacred structure established by covenant. While the crime committed by the Benjamites was heinous and demanded justice, the unintended consequence of near-annihilation was seen as a theological catastrophe, threatening the very integrity and fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning their numerous descendants and their inheritance in the land. Their concern was not merely demographic but deeply rooted in their understanding of their national and covenantal identity.

**How did the Israelites ultimately provide an inheritance and wives for the surviving Benjamites?**

Answer: The Israelites faced a severe dilemma due to their oath not to give their daughters to Benjamin. Their solution, detailed in [Judges 21:8-23](/judges/21-8 "Wives for Benjamin"), involved two morally questionable actions. First, they discovered that the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead had not participated in the war, so they attacked them, killing all but 400 virgins, whom they then gave to the Benjamites as wives. Second, because this was still insufficient, they instructed the remaining Benjamites to lie in wait at the annual feast in Shiloh and abduct young women who came out to dance, taking them as wives. These actions highlight the moral chaos of the period "when there was no king in Israel" and "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "No King, Everyone Did What Was Right")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 21:17, with its desperate plea for the preservation of a remnant and the restoration of an inheritance, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Israelites' concern for Benjamin's inheritance points to a deeper spiritual reality: humanity's lost inheritance due to sin. Through the fall, humanity lost its rightful place and inheritance in God's presence, leading to spiritual "destruction." Yet, God, in His sovereign love, did not desire that humanity be utterly "destroyed out of" His creation. Instead, He provided a perfect solution through His Son. Jesus Christ, the true [King of Israel](/john/1-49 "Nathanael's Confession of Jesus as King"), came not to destroy but to seek and to save that which was lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost")). He is the ultimate "inheritance" for believers, granting us an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance kept in heaven ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1-peter/1-3 "A Living Hope and Inheritance")). Unlike the flawed, human-devised solutions in Judges, Christ's work on the cross provides a perfect, righteous, and complete redemption, restoring us to a covenant relationship and securing our eternal inheritance, ensuring that none who are truly His will be "destroyed out of" His eternal kingdom ([John 6:39](/john/6-39 "Jesus Will Lose None of Those the Father Has Given Him")). He is the true leader who brings order out of chaos and provides a way for His people to live righteously, fulfilling the longing for a king who does what is right in God's eyes, not merely their own.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 36:7

So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

Numbers 26:55

Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.