Judges 21:14

And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.

And Benjamin {H1144} came again {H7725} at that time {H6256}; and they gave {H5414} them wives {H802} which they had saved alive {H2421} of the women {H802} of Jabeshgilead {H3003}{H1568}: and yet so they sufficed {H4672} them not.

So Binyamin returned at that time, and the people of Isra'el gave them the women they had kept alive of the women from Yavesh-Gil'ad. But those weren't enough for them.

And at that time the Benjamites returned and were given the women who were spared from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough women for all of them.

And Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.

Commentary

Context

Judges 21:14 is situated at the somber conclusion of the Book of Judges, detailing the desperate efforts to preserve the tribe of Benjamin after a devastating civil war. This conflict, ignited by the heinous crime against the Levite's concubine in Gibeah (Judges 19) and the subsequent refusal of Benjamin to surrender the perpetrators, led to the near annihilation of the tribe by the other Israelite tribes (Judges 20). The Israelites had sworn a solemn oath at Mizpeh not to give their daughters to any Benjamite in marriage (Judges 21:1). However, regretting Benjamin's near extinction, they sought a way to provide wives without breaking their vow. The solution involved attacking Jabesh-gilead, whose inhabitants had failed to join the war against Benjamin, and taking their virgin women as wives (Judges 21:10).

Key Themes

  • Desperation and Human Ingenuity: This verse highlights the extreme measures taken by the Israelites to rectify a self-imposed crisis. Their oath, though made with good intentions, created an unforeseen problem, leading them to devise morally questionable solutions rather than seeking divine guidance.
  • Incomplete Solutions: The phrase "and yet so they sufficed them not" is crucial. It underscores that even after the violent acquisition of wives from Jabesh-gilead, there were still not enough women for all the surviving Benjamite men. This inadequacy sets the stage for the even more disturbing plan involving the virgins of Shiloh (Judges 21:21).
  • Consequences of Unchecked Sin: The entire narrative from Judges 19 to 21 vividly illustrates the tragic consequences of Israel's spiritual decline, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The desperate actions to save Benjamin were a direct result of the initial breakdown of moral and religious order.
  • Preservation of the Tribes: Despite the chaos, there was a strong underlying desire to preserve the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating a recognition of their covenant identity and future significance within God's plan.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "sufficed them not" directly translates the Hebrew (ืœึนื ืžึธืฆึธื ืœึธื”ึถื, lo matsa lahem), which literally means "did not find for them" or "was not enough for them." This blunt statement emphasizes the practical failure of their plan, highlighting the ongoing dilemma and the need for further, equally problematic, measures to secure wives for the remaining Benjamites.

Practical Application

Judges 21:14 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of solving problems through human wisdom and desperate measures without consulting God's will. When we rely solely on our own ingenuity, even with seemingly good intentions, our solutions can often be incomplete, create new problems, or lead us down morally compromising paths. The story encourages believers to seek God's guidance and wisdom in all circumstances, trusting in His perfect plan rather than resorting to self-devised, inadequate remedies. It also underscores the ripple effect of sin, showing how one act of wickedness can lead to a cascade of desperate and ethically challenging decisions.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 21:12 (2 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:2 (2 votes)

    Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

  • Judges 20:47 (2 votes)

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