Judges 21:5

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.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} said {H559}, Who is there among all the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478} that {H834} came {H5927} not up with the congregation {H6951} unto the LORD {H3068}? For they had made a great {H1419} oath {H7621} concerning him that came not up {H5927} to the LORD {H3068} to Mizpeh {H4709}, saying {H559}, He shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}.

The people of Isra'el asked, "Who among the tribes of Isra'el did not come up to assemble before ADONAI? For they had made a great oath to put to death whoever didn't come up to ADONAI at Mitzpah.

The Israelites asked, “Who among all the tribes of Israel did not come to the assembly before the LORD?” For they had taken a solemn oath that anyone who failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah would surely be put to death.

And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up in the assembly unto Jehovah? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up unto Jehovah to Mizpah, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

Commentary

Judges 21:5 captures a critical moment of desperation and regret among the tribes of Israel after a devastating civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. Following the horrific events of the Levite's concubine in Gibeah and the subsequent war, the Israelite confederation had nearly annihilated the tribe of Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive.

Context of the Verse

This verse is found at the conclusion of the Book of Judges, a period characterized 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 21:25). The remaining tribes, now filled with remorse for the near extinction of a brother tribe, remembered two solemn oaths they had made at Mizpeh (a significant gathering place, meaning "watchtower"). The first oath, mentioned in Judges 21:1, was not to give their daughters in marriage to any Benjamite. The second, highlighted in this verse, was a severe decree: "He shall surely be put to death" if any tribe or individual did not participate in the punitive war against Benjamin. This second oath became the key to their convoluted solution to preserve Benjamin.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Rash Oaths: The verse vividly illustrates the dire consequences of making solemn vows without fully considering the long-term implications. The Israelites are now trapped by their own words, desperately seeking a way to fulfill their oaths while also rectifying a terrible mistake.
  • Inter-tribal Unity and Disunity: While the tribes initially united against Benjamin due to a grave injustice, their actions led to a near-fatal disunity, threatening the very structure of the twelve tribes. This verse shows their belated attempt to restore balance.
  • Justice and Mercy in Conflict: The narrative grapples with the tension between administering justice (punishing Benjamin for its sin) and extending mercy (preserving a remnant of the tribe). Their solution, driven by their oaths, reveals a complex and often flawed approach to justice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "came not up with the congregation unto the LORD" emphasizes the religious solemnity of the assembly at Mizpeh. The word "congregation" (Hebrew: qahal) signifies a formal gathering, often for religious or judicial purposes, underscoring that the oath was made in the presence of God and held immense weight. The term "unto the LORD" highlights that this was not merely a political gathering but an assembly convened under divine authority, making the oath particularly binding.

Practical Application

Judges 21:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of careful consideration and wisdom in making commitments, especially those with far-reaching consequences. It underscores the biblical principle found in Numbers 30:2 and Deuteronomy 23:21-23 about the seriousness of vows. For believers today, this passage encourages thoughtful decision-making, seeking God's guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6) before making binding promises, and understanding that actions have ripple effects, impacting not only ourselves but also our communities. It also highlights the value of reconciliation and the preservation of community even after severe conflict and misjudgment.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Judges 5:23

    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.

  • Jeremiah 48:10

    Cursed [be] he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed [be] he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

  • Judges 21:1

    ¶ Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

  • Leviticus 27:28

    Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, [both] of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing [is] most holy unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 27:29

    None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; [but] shall surely be put to death.

  • 1 Samuel 11:7

    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 21:18

    Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed [be] he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.