Judges 21:7

KJV

How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

KJV (with Strong's)

How shall we do {H6213} for wives {H802} for them that remain {H3498}, seeing we have sworn {H7650} by the LORD {H3068} that we will not give {H5414} them of our daughters {H1323} to wives {H802}?

Complete Jewish Bible

How are we going to obtain wives for those who remain alive, since we've sworn by ADONAI that we won't let our daughters marry them?"

Berean Standard Bible

What should we do about wives for the survivors, since we have sworn by the LORD not to give them our daughters in marriage?”

American Standard Version

How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by Jehovah that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 21:7 encapsulates the profound moral and logistical crisis faced by the Israelite leaders following their near-annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. Having sworn a solemn oath before the LORD not to give their daughters in marriage to any Benjamite, they are now confronted with the imminent extinction of an entire tribe of Israel. This verse articulates their desperate plea and bewilderment, revealing the dire consequences of a rash vow and the complex ethical dilemma of preserving a covenant people while upholding a divine oath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 21:7 is situated at the climax of the final, tragic narrative in the Book of Judges, spanning chapters 19-21. This section details the horrific crime committed in Gibeah, the subsequent civil war waged by the other eleven tribes against Benjamin, and the near-annihilation of the tribe, leaving only 600 men. In their initial righteous indignation and sorrow, the Israelite assembly at Mizpah made a rash and binding oath: "We will not give any of our daughters unto Benjamin to wife" [Judges 21:1](/judges/21-1 "Judges 21:1 - The Rash Oath"). Following this devastating victory, the Israelites immediately regretted their actions, lamenting the loss of a tribe from Israel [Judges 21:2-3](/judges/21-2-3 "Judges 21:2-3 - Israel's Lament"). Verse 7 directly expresses the practical and ethical quandary that arises from their self-imposed oath, serving as the pivotal question that drives the remainder of the chapter's desperate search for a solution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by a lack of central authority and widespread moral decay, famously summarized by the refrain, "In those days 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 - No King in Israel"). Within this chaotic backdrop, the sanctity of oaths, especially those sworn "by the LORD," was paramount in ancient Israelite society. Such vows were considered legally and divinely binding, with severe consequences for their violation, as seen in [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Seriousness of Vows"). The preservation of tribal identity and lineage was crucial, as each tribe had a specific inheritance and role within the covenant nation. The prospect of an entire tribe disappearing was not just a demographic issue but a theological crisis, threatening the integrity of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob, which formed the very fabric of God's chosen people.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **the peril of rash oaths**, demonstrating how well-intentioned but ill-considered vows can lead to severe, unintended consequences, trapping individuals or communities in impossible dilemmas. This echoes warnings found in [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Seriousness of Vows") and [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Be Careful with Vows"). Another significant theme is the **preservation of God's covenant people**; despite Benjamin's grievous sin and the subsequent judgment, the other tribes recognized the divine importance of maintaining all twelve tribes within Israel. This reflects a deep-seated commitment to the ancestral promises and the collective identity of the nation. Finally, the verse highlights the **moral and ethical dilemma** faced by the leaders, caught between upholding a sacred oath and preventing the extinction of a tribe. This tension underscores the desperate search for wisdom in a period marked by human failure and the absence of righteous leadership.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sworn (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H7650) properly means "to be complete," but is used as a denominative from the Hebrew word for "seven," implying to "seven oneself," i.e., to swear. It signifies binding oneself by an oath, often by repeating a declaration seven times. When used with "by the LORD," it emphasizes the solemnity and sacred nature of the vow, indicating that God Himself is invoked as a witness and guarantor. The Israelites' oath was not a casual promise but a deeply serious commitment made before the divine, making its violation a grave offense.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the self-Existent or Eternal One (H3068), the Jewish national name of God, Jehovah. The use of God's covenant name, YHWH (rendered "LORD" in English translations), underscores the ultimate authority and witness to the oath. It highlights that the vow was not merely a human agreement but a divine covenant, establishing a direct relationship between the promise and God's character and law. This deepened the dilemma, as breaking the oath would be an affront to God Himself.
* **remain (Hebrew, _yâthar'_):** This primitive root (H3498) means "to jut over or exceed," and by implication, "to excel." Intransitively, it means "to remain or be left." In this context, it poignantly refers to the mere 600 men of Benjamin who survived the devastating war. The use of "them that remain" emphasizes the tribe's near-extinction and the urgency of the problem, as this small remnant represents the last hope for Benjamin's continuation and the preservation of a tribal inheritance in Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How shall we do for wives for them that remain":** This opening clause is a rhetorical question that expresses the profound desperation and bewilderment of the Israelite leaders. It highlights the practical and existential crisis they face: how can the surviving 600 Benjamite men marry and perpetuate their tribe if no Israelite women are available? It's a cry for a solution to an seemingly impossible problem, revealing their regret and the weight of their responsibility in preserving the twelve tribes of Israel.
* **"seeing we have sworn by the LORD":** This explanatory clause provides the crucial context for their dilemma. It reveals that the obstacle is not merely a lack of women, but a self-imposed, divinely-witnessed oath. The phrase "sworn by the LORD" underscores the absolute binding nature of their vow, implying that breaking it would incur divine displeasure and judgment. This creates an ethical knot: a promise made to God now threatens the very existence of one of His chosen tribes, placing the leaders in an agonizing predicament.
* **"that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?":** This final clause specifies the precise content of the oath, directly preventing the natural and necessary means of tribal preservation. It defines the exact barrier to Benjamin's survival, leaving no room for simple or straightforward solutions. The direct prohibition against intermarriage with Benjamites, though made in a moment of righteous anger and sorrow over the Gibeah atrocity, now stands as an insurmountable barrier to the tribe's future, highlighting the tragic consequences of their hasty commitment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey the gravity of the situation. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, "How shall we do for wives for them that remain...?" This question is not posed to elicit a direct answer but to emphasize the leaders' utter perplexity and the seemingly insurmountable nature of their predicament. It underscores their desperation and the lack of an obvious, morally permissible solution, forcing the reader to feel the weight of their impossible choice. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; the Israelites, having nearly annihilated a tribe in righteous judgment, are now consumed with preserving that very tribe, trapped by their own zealous oath. This highlights the unintended and often complex consequences of human actions, even those initially perceived as righteous. Furthermore, the verse evokes **Pathos**, appealing to the reader's emotions by portraying the leaders' anguish and the tragic fate awaiting Benjamin, creating a sense of shared lament for the brokenness and moral decline of God's people in this era.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 21:7 stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of human sin and the complexities of living under a covenant with a holy God. It illustrates that even actions taken in righteous indignation can lead to unforeseen and devastating outcomes when not tempered by divine wisdom and foresight. The Israelites' dilemma highlights the tension between the letter of the law (the oath) and the spirit of God's broader purpose (the preservation of His people). While God holds His people accountable for their vows, He also desires the flourishing and continuation of His covenant community. The desperate search for a solution, however flawed, underscores the intrinsic value God places on every tribe of Israel, reflecting His faithfulness even when His people are unfaithful. This episode ultimately points to the need for a perfect King and a new covenant, where God's people are truly guided by His Spirit and wisdom, avoiding such tragic self-inflicted wounds.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Seriousness of Vows")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Do Not Delay to Pay a Vow")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Be Careful with Vows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound dilemma presented in Judges 21:7 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It serves as a potent warning about the dangers of making rash commitments, especially those invoking God's name, without prayerful consideration and a full understanding of potential consequences. Our words carry weight, and vows made lightly can lead to significant moral and practical entanglements, impacting not only ourselves but also those around us. This passage also vividly illustrates the ripple effect of sin; the initial atrocity in Gibeah spiraled into civil war, and then into this impossible ethical quandary, demonstrating how one act of wickedness can unleash a cascade of complex problems for an entire community. Furthermore, the leaders' desperation highlights the critical need for wise, Spirit-led discernment when faced with seemingly conflicting principles or impossible choices. Rather than relying solely on human ingenuity or emotional reactions, we are called to seek God's counsel and wisdom diligently, trusting that His ways are higher than our own and that He can provide solutions that honor both His truth and His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does this passage teach us about the nature and consequences of rash vows, particularly those made in anger or without full consideration?**
* **How does the Israelites' dilemma highlight the tension between human promises and God's broader redemptive purposes for His people?**
* **In what ways might our own "righteous" indignation or quick judgments lead to unintended negative consequences for ourselves or our communities?**
* **How can we cultivate a habit of prayerful discernment and seeking God's wisdom when faced with seemingly impossible ethical or practical dilemmas in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Why was the oath against giving daughters to Benjamin so binding, despite the dire consequences?**

Answer: The oath was considered absolutely binding because it was "sworn by the LORD." In ancient Israel, an oath invoking God's name was not a casual promise but a sacred covenant made before the divine witness. Breaking such a vow was considered a grave sin, incurring divine displeasure and potential judgment, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Seriousness of Vows"). The Israelites, despite their profound regret and the dire consequences for Benjamin, feared violating an oath made directly to God more than they feared the extinction of a tribe. This highlights the profound respect (and perhaps fear) for God's holiness and the sanctity of His name, even if their initial vow was rash and ill-considered.

**What was the ultimate solution the Israelites devised to solve this problem?**

Answer: The Israelites, trapped by their oath, devised two morally questionable and desperate solutions to preserve the tribe of Benjamin. First, they discovered that the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead had not participated in the war against Benjamin. They then attacked Jabesh-Gilead, killing all its inhabitants except for 400 virgins, whom they gave as wives to 400 of the surviving Benjamites, as detailed in [Judges 21:8-14](/judges/21-8-14 "Judges 21:8-14 - Wives from Jabesh-Gilead"). When this was insufficient to provide wives for all 600 remaining men, they orchestrated a plan for the remaining 200 Benjamites to abduct women from Shiloh during an annual festival. They advised the women's fathers not to object, rationalizing that this act of abduction would not technically be "giving" their daughters, thereby circumventing the letter of their oath, as described in [Judges 21:19-23](/judges/21-19-23 "Judges 21:19-23 - Wives from Shiloh"). These desperate measures, while preserving the tribe, further underscore the moral decline of the era and the flawed nature of human-devised solutions apart from true divine guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Judges 21:7, with its desperate human solutions to a self-inflicted crisis, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a divine King and a perfect covenant. The Israelites' inability to reconcile their binding oath with the preservation of God's people reveals the limitations of the Law and human righteousness. Their flawed attempts to "do for wives" for Benjamin, culminating in abduction, underscore the moral chaos that arises when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes," as the Book of Judges concludes in [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel"). This brokenness points directly to Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel, who perfectly fulfills God's will and provides the ultimate solution to humanity's impossible dilemma of sin and separation from God. Unlike the rash oaths of men, Christ's new covenant is established by His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, as explained in [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of a New Covenant"). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), reconciling humanity to God without compromising divine justice or holiness, a truth beautifully articulated in [Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Through Faith"). Through His redemptive work, He gathers all the tribes of God's people into one body, breaking down dividing walls, as seen in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace"), ensuring their eternal preservation not through human schemes, but through His unfailing grace and power.

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 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.

1 Samuel 14:45

And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: [as] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

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.

1 Samuel 14:28

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day. And the people were faint.

1 Samuel 14:29

Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.