Judges 21:4

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

And it came to pass on the morrow {H4283}, that the people {H5971} rose early {H7925}, and built {H1129} there an altar {H4196}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} and peace offerings {H8002}.

The next day the people got up early, built an altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

The next day the people got up early, built an altar there, and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings.

Commentary

Judges 21:4 details the immediate and solemn response of the Israelites after the devastating civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. Following their lament and realization of Benjamin's near annihilation, the people turned to God in desperate seeking and worship.

Context

This verse is found at the conclusion of the Book of Judges, a period marked by moral decline and chaotic tribal conflicts, famously summarized by the phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The preceding chapters detail a horrific civil war triggered by the Gibeah atrocity, leading to the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites had sworn a rash oath at Mizpah not to give their daughters to Benjamin (Judges 21:1). Realizing the catastrophic consequences of their actions and oaths, they gathered, expressing profound sorrow and asking, "O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?" (Judges 21:3). Their act of building an altar and offering sacrifices was a desperate plea for divine intervention and reconciliation.

Key Themes

  • Seeking Divine Intervention: The immediate action of rising early and building an altar signifies the Israelites' urgent need to consult God and seek His guidance in a dire national crisis. They recognized that only divine wisdom could resolve their self-inflicted predicament.
  • Atonement and Reconciliation: The offering of burnt offerings ('olah in Hebrew, signifying complete dedication and atonement) and peace offerings (shelamim, signifying fellowship and communion) highlights their desire to make amends with God and restore broken fellowship within the nation. They sought forgiveness for their rashness and violence.
  • Consequences of Rash Oaths: This passage underscores the serious implications of vows made before God, even when made with seemingly good intentions. The Israelites learned a hard lesson about the far-reaching impact of their commitments and the need for careful consideration.
  • National Lament and Repentance: The sacrifices were a tangible expression of their deep sorrow and a form of national repentance, acknowledging their collective responsibility for the tragic state of affairs.

Linguistic Insights

The term for "burnt offerings" is 'olah (ืขึนืœึธื”), meaning "that which goes up," referring to the smoke ascending to God, symbolizing complete surrender and expiation. The "peace offerings" are shelamim (ืฉึฐืืœึธืžึดื™ื), derived from the root shalom (ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื), meaning "peace" or "wholeness." This type of offering was often associated with thanksgiving, vows, or freewill offerings, emphasizing restored relationship and fellowship with God and fellow Israelites.

Practical Application

Judges 21:4 offers timeless lessons for believers today. When faced with overwhelming challenges, especially those stemming from our own mistakes or collective failures, the first and most crucial step is to turn to God. This involves:

  • Humility and Repentance: Acknowledging our role in problems and seeking God's forgiveness.
  • Seeking Divine Guidance: Prioritizing prayer and seeking God's will over human solutions or hasty actions.
  • Restoration of Fellowship: Actively working towards reconciliation and healing in broken relationships, both with God and with others, understanding that true peace comes from Him. Just as the Israelites sought to repair their community, we are called to live peaceably with all men as far as it depends on us.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 24:25

    And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

  • Hosea 5:15

    I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

  • 1 Kings 8:64

    The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that [was] before the LORD [was] too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

  • Psalms 78:34

    When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

  • Psalms 78:35

    And they remembered that God [was] their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

  • 2 Samuel 24:18

    ยถ And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

  • Judges 6:26

    And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.