Judges 21:12

And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which [is] in the land of Canaan.

And they found {H4672} among the inhabitants {H3427} of Jabeshgilead {H3003}{H1568} four {H702} hundred {H3967} young {H5291} virgins {H1330}, that had known {H3045} no man {H376} by lying {H4904} with any male {H2145}: and they brought {H935} them unto the camp {H4264} to Shiloh {H7887}, which is in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}.

Among the inhabitants of Yavesh-Gil'ad they found 400 young virgins who had not known a man by lying with him, and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh, which is in the land of Kena'an.

So they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young women who had not had relations with a man, and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.

And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins, that had not known man by lying with him; and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

Commentary

Context

Judges 21:12 appears near the very end of the Book of Judges, concluding a dark and tumultuous period in Israel's history. This verse is part of the final chapter, which details the desperate measures taken by the other eleven Israelite tribes to prevent the complete extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. This crisis arose after a horrific civil war, sparked by the heinous crime committed by Benjamites in Gibeah against a Levite's concubine (Judges 19:22). The tribes had sworn a solemn oath not to give their daughters as wives to any Benjamite (Judges 21:1). After nearly annihilating Benjamin, leaving only 600 men, the tribes regretted their actions and sought a way to provide wives without breaking their oath. Their solution involved punishing Jabesh-gilead for not participating in the war against Benjamin, leading to the destruction of its inhabitants, save for the virgins mentioned here (Judges 21:10). The location, Shiloh, was a significant religious center at the time, housing the tabernacle.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Measures and Moral Compromise: This verse highlights the extreme lengths to which the Israelites went to rectify a self-imposed dilemma (their hasty oath). The actions, while preserving a tribe, involved further violence and questionable ethics, reflecting the moral decline prevalent in the era of Judges.
  • Preservation of Israelite Identity: Despite the moral failings, there was a strong desire to preserve the twelve-tribe structure of Israel, underscoring the importance of tribal lineage and national unity even in disunity.
  • Consequences of Hasty Vows: The entire narrative from Judges 20 through 21 serves as a stark warning about making rash vows without seeking divine counsel, as such oaths can lead to unforeseen and tragic consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "had known no man by lying with any male" is a strong Hebraic idiom emphasizing the absolute virginity of these 400 young women. This detail was crucial because their virginity made them suitable for marriage and childbearing, fulfilling the primary purpose of finding wives for the surviving Benjamites. It underscores the patriarchal societal norms and the pragmatic, albeit severe, nature of the solution devised by the Israelite leaders to save the tribe of Benjamin.

Practical Application

While the specific events of Judges 21:12 are far removed from modern life, the underlying principles offer valuable lessons:

  • The Danger of Hasty Decisions: The entire scenario in Judges 21 stems from a vow made in anger and grief. We are reminded to seek wisdom and divine guidance before making commitments, especially those with far-reaching consequences (Proverbs 19:2).
  • Moral Decline Without Central Authority: The Book of Judges repeatedly concludes with the statement, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." This verse is a grim illustration of the societal chaos and moral ambiguity that arise when there is no strong, righteous leadership or adherence to God's law.
  • God's Providence Amidst Human Flaws: Despite the deeply flawed human actions and the moral compromises, God's overarching plan to preserve His people and the lineage through which the Messiah would come (Genesis 49:10) continued, even through such difficult means, highlighting His faithfulness even when His people are not.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 18:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

  • Jeremiah 7:12 (2 votes)

    But go ye now unto my place which [was] in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

  • Judges 20:23 (2 votes)

    (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)

  • Psalms 78:60 (2 votes)

    So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent [which] he placed among men;

  • Judges 20:18 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah [shall go up] first.