Judges 21:3

KJV

And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

KJV (with Strong's)

And said {H559}, O LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, why is this come to pass in Israel {H3478}, that there should be to day {H3117} one {H259} tribe {H7626} lacking {H6485} in Israel {H3478}?

Complete Jewish Bible

They said: "ADONAI, why has this come about in Isra'el? Why should there be today in Isra'el one tribe missing?"

Berean Standard Bible

“Why, O LORD God of Israel,” they cried out, “has this happened in Israel? Today in Israel one tribe is missing!”

American Standard Version

And they said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to-day one tribe lacking in Israel?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 21:3 captures a poignant lament from the Israelite leaders, a desperate cry to God in the devastating aftermath of the civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. This verse expresses the profound sorrow and existential crisis gripping the nation as they confront the near annihilation of one of their twelve foundational tribes, a self-inflicted wound that threatens the very integrity and identity of Israel as God's chosen people. It marks a moment of sober realization and a desperate plea for understanding in the face of their collective failure and the dire consequences of their hasty, unrighteous actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated in the concluding chapters of the Book of Judges (chapters 19-21), which narrate a descent into moral anarchy and national chaos. Following the horrific atrocity committed against the Levite's concubine in Gibeah by Benjamite men ([Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine")), the other eleven tribes united to wage war against Benjamin ([Judges 20](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - War Against Benjamin")). Despite initial setbacks, the combined tribes ultimately inflicted a near-genocidal defeat upon Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive. The lament in [Judges 21:3](/judges/21-3 "Judges 21:3 - Lament for Benjamin") immediately follows the Israelites' collective weeping and sacrifice before the Lord at Bethel in [Judges 21:2](/judges/21-2 "Judges 21:2 - Israel Weeps Before the Lord"), highlighting their sudden, agonizing realization of the catastrophic implications of their victory: the potential permanent loss of an entire tribe, violating the sacred twelve-tribe structure of Israel. This moment of despair sets the stage for their subsequent, ethically dubious attempts to preserve the tribe of Benjamin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Judges describes a period in Israelite history characterized by a lack of central authority, famously summarized by the recurring phrase, "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Every Man Did What Was Right")). Tribal identity was paramount, with each of the twelve tribes tracing its lineage back to Jacob's sons, forming the very fabric of Israel's national and religious identity as God's covenant people. An oath, once sworn, was considered binding and inviolable, carrying immense weight in ancient Israelite culture. The other tribes 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")), a vow made in the heat of righteous indignation but without foresight. The geographical setting of Bethel, where this lament occurs, was a significant cultic site, emphasizing the religious nature of their distress and their appeal to God. The near extinction of Benjamin was not merely a demographic loss but an existential threat to the divinely ordained structure of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several critical themes prevalent in the Book of Judges and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores **the dire consequences of unrighteousness and hasty decisions**. The entire tragic chain of events, from the initial sin in Gibeah to the brutal civil war and the subsequent ill-conceived oath, demonstrates how human sin, unchecked anger, and unreflective vows lead to devastating and unforeseen outcomes. The lament here is a direct result of their own actions and failures, serving as a stark reminder of how the "wages of sin is death" ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Secondly, it highlights **the importance of tribal unity and national identity**. The anguished question, "why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?" vividly expresses the profound value placed on the completeness of the twelve tribes. Losing a tribe was perceived as a severe blow to Israel's identity as God's chosen nation, reflecting a broken covenant relationship and a fractured people. This longing for unity foreshadows later biblical calls for "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" ([Psalm 133:1](/psalm/133-1 "Psalm 133:1 - The Goodness of Unity")). Lastly, the act of turning to "O LORD God of Israel" in their distress reveals **a glimmer of seeking God amidst despair**, even if belated. Despite their profound failures and self-inflicted wounds, this act of lament and inquiry indicates a recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty and a desperate search for meaning and a solution to their self-made crisis, a turning point that might lead to "healing their land" ([2_chronicles/7-14](/2-chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise to Heal the Land")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD God of Israel (Hebrew, יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, _Yahweh Elohei Yisrael_):** This compound divine title is highly significant. **_Yahweh_** (rendered "LORD" in KJV, often written with small capitals) is God's personal, covenant name, emphasizing His faithful, relational character and His specific bond with Israel. **_Elohei_** (from **_Elohim_**, "God") is a more general term for God, highlighting His power, sovereignty, and creative authority. The combination underscores that the Israelites are appealing to the powerful, sovereign God who is uniquely bound to them by covenant. Their address acknowledges His authority even as they question His allowance of their current predicament, revealing a deep theological tension.
* **lacking (Hebrew, חָסֵר, _chaser_):** This verb means "to lack, to be wanting, to diminish, to decrease." It conveys a sense of incompleteness, deficiency, or absence. When applied to a tribe, it signifies a profound and existential void within the national body. The Israelites are lamenting not just a numerical reduction but a fundamental breach in the divinely ordained structure of their nation, a sense of being "less than" what they ought to be.
* **tribe (Hebrew, שֵׁבֶט, _shevet_):** This word refers to a rod, staff, or scepter, and by extension, a clan or tribe. In the context of Israel, it denotes one of the twelve foundational divisions of the nation, each descended from Jacob's sons. The integrity of the "twelve tribes" was central to Israel's identity, representing their complete inheritance and participation in God's covenant. The loss of even "one tribe" (אֶחָד, _echad_) was thus a catastrophic blow to their corporate identity and future.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said, O LORD God of Israel,"**: This opening phrase indicates a formal, collective address to God, likely by the assembled leaders or representatives of the tribes, as seen in [Judges 21:1-2](/judges/21-1 "Judges 21:1 - The Oath at Mizpah"). The invocation of "LORD God of Israel" signifies their recognition of God's covenant relationship with them, despite their own profound failures. It is a plea from a people who, in their deepest despair, still acknowledge the one true God as their ultimate authority and hope.
* **"why is this come to pass in Israel,"**: This is a rhetorical question born of anguish and bewilderment. It is not an accusation against God but a desperate cry for understanding and meaning in the face of self-inflicted catastrophe. The Israelites are grappling with the devastating consequences of their own actions—their initial unrighteousness, their hasty and extreme oath, and their brutal prosecution of the war. They are asking why such a calamity has been allowed to befall "Israel," the very nation God chose and blessed.
* **"that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?"**: This clause articulates the specific horror that has dawned upon them. The near annihilation of Benjamin means that the sacred and foundational number of twelve tribes is broken. This represents a profound wound to the corporate body of Israel, threatening their identity as God's complete and unified people. The phrase "to day" emphasizes the immediate, painful reality of this loss, highlighting the sudden and stark realization of their folly.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 21:3 is rich in **Pathos**, evoking deep pity and sorrow for the Israelites' self-inflicted predicament. The verse functions primarily as a **Lament**, a cry of anguish and grief directed towards God, characteristic of many psalms and prophetic passages. The question "why is this come to pass...?" is a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, not necessarily seeking a direct answer but expressing profound distress, bewilderment, and perhaps a desperate plea for divine intervention or understanding in their crisis. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present: the very tribes who, in their zeal, nearly annihilated Benjamin are now lamenting the absence of that tribe, highlighting the tragic and unforeseen consequences of their own actions. The phrase "one tribe lacking" employs **Understatement** to convey a catastrophic loss, as the absence of a single tribe represented a fundamental rupture in the divinely ordained structure of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the devastating consequences of human sin, particularly when coupled with hasty and unrighteous decisions, even when made under the guise of zeal for God. The Israelites' lament reveals a painful awakening to the fact that their actions, though initially aimed at punishing evil, had led to a national crisis that threatened their very identity as God's chosen people. It underscores the theological truth that while God is sovereign, human choices have real and often destructive consequences, and that even a "victory" can be a profound loss if it compromises the integrity of God's people. Their turning to "O LORD God of Israel" in their despair, despite their culpability, signifies a crucial recognition of God's ultimate authority and their covenant relationship, demonstrating that even in their brokenness, they still looked to Him for answers and restoration.

* [Deuteronomy 29:24-25](/deuteronomy/29-24 "Deuteronomy 29:24-25 - Consequences of Breaking Covenant")
* [Psalm 133:1](/psalm/133-1 "Psalm 133:1 - The Goodness of Unity")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 21:3 serves as a sobering mirror for believers today, prompting us to consider the far-reaching impact of our decisions, especially those made in anger, haste, or self-righteousness. The Israelites' lament over the "lacking tribe" is a powerful reminder of the preciousness of unity within the body of Christ and the devastating effects of division. Just as the loss of one tribe threatened Israel's identity, so too can internal strife and unaddressed sin diminish the church's witness and effectiveness. This passage challenges us to cultivate foresight, seek wisdom, and prioritize reconciliation over retribution. Furthermore, it offers a glimmer of hope: even when we find ourselves in a crisis of our own making, turning to the "LORD God" in lament and confession is always the first step towards healing and potential restoration. Our God remains faithful, even when we are not, and invites us to bring our brokenness and questions before Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I made hasty decisions that have led to unforeseen and negative consequences?**
* **How do I contribute to the unity or disunity within my family, church, or community?**
* **When faced with self-inflicted crises, is my first instinct to lament and turn to God, or to blame others or despair?**
* **What steps can I take to prioritize reconciliation and forgiveness in my relationships, rather than allowing divisions to fester?**

### FAQ
**Why was the loss of one tribe so significant to the Israelites?**

Answer: The loss of one of the twelve tribes was profoundly significant because the twelve tribes represented the complete, divinely ordained structure of Israel as God's covenant people. Each tribe was a foundational pillar of their national, religious, and social identity, tracing its lineage back to one of Jacob's sons. The integrity of this twelve-tribe system was crucial for their inheritance of the land, their participation in the covenant, and their collective witness as God's chosen nation. The absence of a tribe created an existential void, threatening their very identity and completeness as a people set apart by God. It was a visible sign of their brokenness and a profound challenge to their understanding of God's plan for them.

**Did God cause this "lacking" in Israel, or was it a result of human actions?**

Answer: The "lacking" of a tribe in Israel was a direct consequence of human sin and unrighteous choices, not a direct act of God's judgment in the way that, for example, the plagues in Egypt were. The chain of events began with the horrific sin in Gibeah ([Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine")), followed by the other tribes' extreme and hasty vow not to give their daughters to Benjamin ([Judges 21:1](/judges/21-1 "Judges 21:1 - The Oath at Mizpah")), and their brutal prosecution of the civil war ([Judges 20](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - War Against Benjamin")). While God allowed these events to unfold within His sovereign plan, and indeed, Israel's suffering was a consequence of their widespread disobedience during the period of the Judges, the immediate cause of Benjamin's near annihilation was the collective human failure and the lack of a righteous king to guide them. The lament in [Judges 21:3](/judges/21-3 "Judges 21:3 - Lament for Benjamin") reflects their dawning realization of their own culpability.

**How was the tribe of Benjamin eventually restored or preserved from extinction?**

Answer: After the lament, the Israelites realized the gravity of their oath and the impending extinction of Benjamin. They devised a two-part plan to provide wives for the remaining 600 Benjamite men, circumventing their oath. First, they discovered that the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead had not participated in the war against Benjamin, so they attacked Jabesh-Gilead, killing all but 400 virgin women, whom they gave to the Benjamites ([Judges 21:8-14](/judges/21-8 "Judges 21:8 - Attack on Jabesh-Gilead")). When this was still not enough, they instructed the remaining Benjamites to lie in wait at the annual feast in Shiloh and abduct the dancing virgins, taking them as wives ([Judges 21:16-24](/judges/21-16 "Judges 21:16 - Abduction at Shiloh")). This ethically questionable solution highlights the moral ambiguity and desperation of the period, yet it ultimately preserved the tribe of Benjamin from complete extinction, ensuring that "one tribe" was not permanently "lacking in Israel."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound lament in Judges 21:3, expressing the anguish over "one tribe lacking in Israel," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate brokenness of humanity and the deep divisions caused by sin, which only Christ can truly heal. The Old Testament Israel, with its twelve tribes, was meant to be a unified people, a light to the nations, but its constant internal strife and moral decay, culminating in the near loss of a tribe, revealed its inherent inability to maintain perfect unity or righteousness. This brokenness points to the desperate need for a perfect King, one who would not only unite His people but also perfectly fulfill the law and bear the consequences of their sin. Jesus Christ is that King, the true Israel, who comes not to destroy but to fulfill ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He is the ultimate reconciler, breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down Walls")) and making "one new man out of the two, thus making peace" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Man in Christ")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ gathers all who are "lacking" or lost—Jew and Gentile alike—into a new, unified spiritual Israel, the Church, where there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - One in Christ")). He is the Good Shepherd who ensures that none of His flock are truly "lacking," for "no one will snatch them out of my hand" ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them")). The lament over a lost tribe in Judges finds its ultimate answer and healing in the complete and eternal unity found in Christ, who perfectly restores and completes His people.

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

Psalms 80:12

Why hast thou [then] broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?

Isaiah 63:17

O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, [and] hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Deuteronomy 29:24

Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what [meaneth] the heat of this great anger?

Psalms 74:1

¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Proverbs 19:3

¶ The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

Joshua 7:7

And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

Joshua 7:9

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear [of it], and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?