Judges 21:13

And the whole congregation sent [some] to speak to the children of Benjamin that [were] in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.

And the whole congregation {H5712} sent {H7971} some to speak {H1696} to the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} that were in the rock {H5553} Rimmon {H7417}, and to call {H7121} peaceably {H7965} unto them.

Then the whole gathering sent a message proclaiming peace to the people of Binyamin who were at the Rock of Rimmon.

Then the whole congregation sent a message of peace to the Benjamites who were at the rock of Rimmon.

And the whole congregation sent and spake to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace unto them.

Commentary

Judges 21:13 marks a pivotal moment of reconciliation and restoration after one of the darkest periods in Israel's early history – a devastating civil war that almost annihilated the tribe of Benjamin.

Context of Judges 21:13

The Book of Judges concludes with a grim account of moral and social decay, epitomized by the phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25). The preceding chapters detail a horrific incident involving a Levite and his concubine, leading to a brutal war between the other eleven tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. The Benjamites were nearly wiped out, with only 600 men surviving by fleeing to the rock Rimmon (Judges 20:47). The congregation had made a solemn oath not to give their daughters to Benjamin (Judges 21:1), but soon lamented the potential loss of an entire tribe of Israel. This verse describes their effort to find a solution, sending messengers to offer peace to the isolated Benjaminite remnant.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Reconciliation and Peace-Making: After a period of intense conflict and near-annihilation, the other tribes actively seek to "call peaceably" to Benjamin. This highlights a desire for restoration and unity, even amidst deep wounds. It shows a turning point from retribution to seeking the preservation of the community.
  • Preservation of the Tribe: The primary motivation for this outreach was the realization that a tribe of Israel was on the verge of extinction. The unity and completeness of the twelve tribes were crucial to their identity as God's people.
  • Consequences of Rash Vows: The entire dilemma stemmed from a hasty, emotionally charged oath. The narrative implicitly critiques such vows, as the people then had to devise convoluted and morally questionable means (like the raid on Jabesh-Gilead, Judges 21:10-12) to circumvent their self-imposed restrictions while still preserving Benjamin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "call peaceably unto them" translates from the Hebrew root shalom (שלום). Shalom means more than just the absence of conflict; it signifies wholeness, completeness, well-being, and prosperity. Here, it conveys a genuine desire for total restoration and a return to a right relationship, emphasizing the depth of the reconciliation sought by the congregation.

Practical Application

Judges 21:13 offers a powerful lesson on the importance of seeking reconciliation and restoration, even after severe division or conflict. It reminds us that:

  • Peace Requires Initiative: The "whole congregation" took the first step to reach out to those they had recently fought against.
  • Value of Community: Every part of the community, even those who have erred or suffered greatly, holds value and should be preserved if possible.
  • Overcoming Past Wrongs: While the actions leading up to this point were deeply flawed, the desire to restore Benjamin demonstrates a recognition of error and a move towards healing. This principle of seeking reconciliation is a core biblical theme, even in the New Testament.
This verse, despite being set in a chaotic period, provides a glimmer of hope and a testament to the enduring desire for unity within God's chosen people.

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 20:47 (5 votes)

    But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.

  • Deuteronomy 20:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.

  • Isaiah 57:19 (2 votes)

    I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

  • Luke 10:5 (2 votes)

    And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.

  • Joshua 15:32 (2 votes)

    And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities [are] twenty and nine, with their villages:

  • Ephesians 2:17 (2 votes)

    And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.