Judges 21:23

KJV

And the children of Benjamin did so, and took [them] wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} did so {H6213}, and took {H5375} them wives {H802}, according to their number {H4557}, of them that danced {H2342}, whom they caught {H1497}: and they went {H3212} and returned {H7725} unto their inheritance {H5159}, and repaired {H1129} the cities {H5892}, and dwelt {H3427} in them.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the men of Binyamin did this - they took wives for themselves from the girls who were dancing, as many as they needed. They carried them off, went back to the land of their inheritance, rebuilt the cities and lived in them.

Berean Standard Bible

The Benjamites did as instructed and carried away the number of women they needed from the dancers they caught. They went back to their own inheritance, rebuilt their cities, and settled in them.

American Standard Version

And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they carried off: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built the cities, and dwelt in them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 21:23 provides the unsettling resolution to one of the most violent and morally ambiguous episodes in the book of Judges, detailing the final desperate act to preserve the decimated tribe of Benjamin. In accordance with a plan devised by the other Israelite tribes, the remaining Benjamite men forcibly acquired wives from among the women dancing at the annual feast in Shiloh. This ethically troubling event allowed the tribe to replenish its numbers, return to its ancestral inheritance, and begin the process of rebuilding their cities, thereby ensuring the continuity of one of Israel's foundational twelve tribes amidst a period of profound societal and spiritual decay.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 21:23 functions as the concluding scene to the harrowing narrative arc that begins in [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine") and extends through [Judges 21](/judges/21 "Judges 21 - Wives for Benjamin"). This extensive account describes a period of extreme moral depravity and social disintegration in ancient Israel. The catalyst was an unspeakable crime committed in Gibeah of Benjamin, which provoked a brutal retaliatory civil war by the other tribes against Benjamin, leading to the near-annihilation of the tribe, with only 600 men surviving ([Judges 20:46-48](/judges/20-46-48 "Judges 20:46-48 - Benjamin's Near Annihilation")). Following the war, the victorious Israelite tribes were gripped by remorse over Benjamin's impending extinction, especially as they had sworn a solemn oath at Mizpah not to give their daughters in marriage to any Benjamite ([Judges 21:1](/judges/21-1 "Judges 21:1 - The Oath at Mizpah")). To circumvent this oath while ensuring Benjamin's survival, two ethically dubious strategies were implemented: first, providing wives from Jabesh-Gilead, whose inhabitants had not participated in the war and were thus deemed exempt from the oath ([Judges 21:8-14](/judges/21-8-14 "Judges 21:8-14 - Wives from Jabesh-Gilead")); and second, the controversial plan detailed in this verse, which sanctioned the abduction of women from the annual feast at Shiloh ([Judges 21:16-22](/judges/21-16-22 "Judges 21:16-22 - The Plan for Shiloh")). Thus, Judges 21:23 serves as the narrative's grim resolution, ensuring Benjamin's precarious survival and the continuity of the tribal structure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges 19-21 are situated in a turbulent era of Israelite history, characterized by the absence of a central monarchy and the pervasive sentiment that "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Summary of the Era")). Shiloh, prominently featured in this verse, was a pivotal religious center during the period of the Judges, housing the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, making it a sacred site for national gatherings. Annual feasts, such as the one described, were customary religious and social occasions, often marked by dancing and communal celebration. The women's participation in such festivities, particularly their dancing in the vineyards, made them vulnerable targets, as they were likely unescorted by male protectors and absorbed in the celebration. While the abduction of women was generally condemned under Israelite law, the extraordinary circumstances—a tribal oath preventing conventional marriage and the existential threat to an entire tribe—led the tribal leaders to condone this highly irregular and morally problematic solution. This episode starkly illustrates a society grappling with a breakdown of law, order, and moral authority, where desperate measures were undertaken to uphold perceived divine and communal obligations, even when they directly conflicted with other ethical norms.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the broader narrative it concludes, contributes significantly to several profound themes within the book of Judges. Foremost is the **Preservation of a Tribe**, highlighting the desperate, albeit morally compromised, effort to prevent the complete disappearance of the tribe of Benjamin. Despite the extreme and ethically questionable means employed, the survival of one of Israel's twelve tribes was considered paramount for the continuity of the nation and its future role in God's redemptive plan, particularly given the importance of tribal lineage in Israelite identity and the unfolding of the Messianic promise. This episode also serves as a stark illustration of the **Consequences of Anarchy**, demonstrating how the absence of central authority and moral leadership—repeatedly summarized by the refrain "[there was no king in Israel](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")"—led to horrific violence, societal breakdown, and the adoption of desperate, morally ambiguous solutions. Finally, amidst the profound human failure and moral depravity, the narrative subtly points to **Divine Providence Amidst Human Failure**. Even through such dark and chaotic events, the twelve tribes, foundational to God's covenant with Israel, are preserved, ensuring the lineage from which the Messiah would eventually come, suggesting God's overarching plan endures despite human sin and the societal chaos it engenders.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, this verb means "to lift" or "to carry," but in a broader sense, it can also mean "to take" or "to obtain." The Ground Truth data includes "marry" as one of its applications. However, in the context of Judges 21:23, especially when paired with "whom they caught" (H1497, `gâzal`, meaning "to pluck off, rob, take away by force"), the nuance shifts from a consensual acquisition to a forceful seizure. This specific usage emphasizes the non-consensual and predatory nature of the act, highlighting the desperate and ethically compromised means by which the Benjamites acquired their wives.
* **danced (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** From H2342, this primitive root means "to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance." It can also refer to writhing in pain or fear. In this context, it describes the joyful, celebratory activity of the women at the annual feast in Shiloh ([Judges 21:21](/judges/21-21 "Judges 21:21 - The Ambush at Shiloh")). Their engagement in this public, festive dance made them particularly vulnerable to the ambush, as they were likely focused on the celebration rather than on potential threats, underscoring the opportunistic and morally reprehensible nature of the Benjamites' actions.
* **repaired (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** From H1129, this primitive root means "to build" (literally and figuratively) and includes the specific sense of "to repair" or "to set up." Following the devastating civil war that saw many Benjamite cities burned and laid waste ([Judges 20:48](/judges/20-48 "Judges 20:48 - Destruction of Benjamin's Cities")), the act of "repaired the cities" signifies a tangible and crucial step towards the re-establishment of the tribe's infrastructure and communal life. It symbolizes the physical and social restoration of Benjamin, moving from near-annihilation to a renewed, albeit fragile, existence within their inherited territory, marking a return to normalcy and stability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Benjamin did so":** This opening clause immediately signals the execution of the controversial plan devised by the Israelite tribes. It indicates the Benjamite men's direct and immediate obedience to the counsel to acquire wives through abduction at the feast in Shiloh, underscoring their desperate situation and their reliance on the other tribes' "solution" to their existential crisis.
* **"and took [them] wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught":** This is the central action of the verse, detailing the forceful acquisition of wives. The Benjamites "took" (seized) wives, specifically targeting the women who were "dancing" at the annual feast. The phrase "according to their number" implies that each of the remaining 600 Benjamite men secured a wife, fulfilling the quota necessary to ensure the tribe's survival. The explicit phrase "whom they caught" emphasizes the violent, predatory nature of the act, confirming it as an abduction rather than a consensual union, highlighting the moral compromise inherent in the solution.
* **"and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them":** This final clause describes the immediate consequences and the resolution of the abduction. Having secured wives, the Benjamite men returned with them to their ancestral land. The subsequent actions—"repaired the cities, and dwelt in them"—signify the physical and social re-establishment of the tribe. It marks the end of their nomadic, displaced state and the beginning of their return to normal life, rebuilding their communities and re-populating their territory, thereby ensuring the continuity of the tribe of Benjamin within the larger Israelite nation.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 21:23 serves as a crucial point of **Narrative Resolution** for the deeply disturbing account of the civil war against Benjamin (Judges 19-21). It brings the chaotic and violent events to a close, providing a conclusion to the question of Benjamin's survival and the restoration of the twelve-tribe structure. There is a profound sense of **Irony** embedded in this verse; the tribe of Benjamin, nearly wiped out due to their own egregious sin and the subsequent retaliatory violence, is preserved through another act of violence and moral compromise—the abduction of innocent women. This highlights the pervasive moral decay of the era, where desperate measures were deemed necessary, even if ethically dubious. The verse also implicitly uses **Foreshadowing**, as the chaotic events and the desperate need for a "solution" that bypasses divine law and moral order underscore the recurring refrain "in those days there was no king in Israel" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")), subtly pointing to the future necessity of a righteous king to bring order, justice, and true moral authority to the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 21:23, despite its unsettling content, profoundly underscores God's mysterious sovereignty and covenant faithfulness, even amidst profound human depravity and moral compromise. While the actions of the Israelites in this chapter are not divinely sanctioned but rather a stark reflection of a society that has lost its moral compass, the preservation of Benjamin is providentially crucial for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The twelve tribes were integral to God's covenant with Abraham, and the near-extinction of one tribe would have fractured the national identity and potentially jeopardized the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of moral relativism and the societal breakdown that occurs when divine standards are abandoned, illustrating that even when humanity acts in its own flawed wisdom, God's ultimate purposes can still be discerned, often through the preservation of His people against all odds.
* [Deuteronomy 21:10-14](/deuteronomy/21-10-14 "Deuteronomy 21:10-14 - Laws for Captive Women")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way That Seems Right to a Man")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 21:23 presents a challenging paradox: a horrifying act of abduction is portrayed as a necessary step for the survival of a tribe, highlighting the deep moral compromises made in a desperate era. While we are not to emulate the actions described, the passage offers profound insights into the consequences of societal and spiritual decay. It vividly illustrates what happens when a people lose their moral compass and when "every man does what is right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")). The desperation of the Israelites to preserve Benjamin, even through morally questionable means, highlights the deep value placed on tribal continuity within God's covenant plan, yet it simultaneously exposes the depths of human depravity when divine law is neglected. For us today, it serves as a powerful warning about the critical need for righteous leadership, unwavering adherence to God's unchanging standards, and the dangers of allowing expediency to override ethical principles. It reminds us that true restoration and healing come not from human machinations or moral compromises, but from a humble return to God's wisdom and a reliance on His sovereign grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the narrative of Judges 19-21, culminating in Judges 21:23, challenge our understanding of "justice" and "necessity" in a fallen world?**
* **What are the long-term consequences, both positive and negative, of making decisions based on expediency rather than clear moral principles?**
* **In what ways does this passage highlight the critical importance of spiritual and moral leadership within a community or nation?**
* **How can we, as believers, navigate ethically challenging situations while upholding biblical principles, even when it seems difficult or counter-intuitive?**

### FAQ
**Why did the other tribes condone this abduction, given its clear ethical problems?**

Answer: The other Israelite tribes found themselves in an impossible dilemma. After nearly annihilating Benjamin in a civil war, they realized their actions had brought one of the twelve tribes to the brink of extinction. To compound the problem, they had sworn a solemn oath at Mizpah not to give their daughters in marriage to any Benjamite ([Judges 21:1](/judges/21-1 "Judges 21:1 - The Oath at Mizpah")). Breaking this oath was unthinkable in their cultural context, as it would be seen as violating a sacred vow before God. Faced with the choice between breaking an oath and allowing an entire tribe to vanish (a significant theological and national catastrophe), they devised two "solutions" to circumvent the oath while preserving Benjamin. The first involved providing wives from Jabesh-Gilead ([Judges 21:8-14](/judges/21-8-14 "Judges 21:8-14 - Wives from Jabesh-Gilead")), and the second, the abduction at Shiloh, was a desperate measure to ensure the remaining 600 Benjamite men could secure wives without the other tribes directly "giving" their daughters. This reflects the moral chaos and lack of clear divine guidance in an era where "there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Summary of the Era")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dark narrative of Judges 21:23, with its desperate and morally compromised resolution, powerfully underscores the profound human need for a true and righteous King, a need ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The preservation of the tribe of Benjamin, despite the ethically troubling means, was providentially crucial for the continuation of the lineage through which the Messiah would come. Indeed, King Saul, Israel's first king, would later emerge from the tribe of Benjamin ([1 Samuel 9:1-2](/1_samuel/9-1-2 "1 Samuel 9:1-2 - Saul's Lineage")). More significantly, the chaos and "every man did what was right in his own eyes" mentality of the Judges era ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")) highlight humanity's inability to establish true order, justice, and peace apart from divine rule. Jesus, as the true King, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), provides the perfect moral compass, the ultimate sacrifice for sin, and the just reign that the Israelites so desperately lacked. He does not resort to desperate, ethically ambiguous measures but brings genuine reconciliation and restoration, not merely for a tribe, but for all who believe ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Supremacy")). In Christ, the brokenness of humanity is healed, and the true "inheritance" is secured, not by force or human cunning, but by grace and truth ([Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11-14 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). He is the one who truly "repairs the cities" of our lives and souls, establishing His eternal dwelling among His people ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")), bringing an end to the spiritual anarchy that plagued Israel and continues to afflict humanity.

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

Judges 20:48

And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of [every] city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.