Judges 21:14 - Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead. There still weren’t enough for them.
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What does "Judges 21:14" mean?
This verse is part of a very disturbing narrative in Judges 19-21, dealing with the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. Let's break it down:
"Benjamin returned at that time...": This refers to the Benjamites who had fled after a civil war with the other tribes of Israel. They were almost completely wiped out.
"...and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead.": The other tribes of Israel felt guilty for their near annihilation of Benjamin. They had sworn not to give their daughters in marriage to Benjamites. To get around this oath, they remembered that they had sworn to destroy any town that didn't participate in the war against Benjamin. Since Jabesh Gilead had been absent, the Israelites attacked them, killing all the men and women who had known a man, but sparing 400 virgins to give as wives to the Benjamites.
"There still weren’t enough for them.": Even with the 400 women from Jabesh Gilead, there were still not enough wives for all the remaining Benjamite men. This highlights the devastation of the tribe.
In essence, the verse illustrates the desperate measures taken to repopulate the tribe of Benjamin after a brutal civil war. It also reveals the problematic and violent nature of the solutions, including the massacre of the people of Jabesh Gilead and the forced marriage of women.
Key Points to Consider:
Context: The book of Judges is characterized by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. However, there are times when Israel hits rock bottom in depravity and sin, and this narrative is one of those times.
Morality: The actions described in these chapters are morally reprehensible by modern standards. It's important to understand that the Bible contains stories about human actions, both good and bad, and doesn't necessarily endorse everything that is depicted.
Theological Significance: The fact that God continues to work through a flawed and sinful people is a recurring theme in the Bible. Even amidst this violence and dysfunction, God's promises to Israel still stand.
Historical Accuracy: The historical accuracy of the events described in Judges is debated among scholars. Some see it as a largely symbolic or legendary account.
Understanding this verse requires understanding the larger context of the story and grappling with the difficult moral questions it raises. It is a grim depiction of a society in disarray and a testament to the consequences of violence and disobedience.
Judges 21:14 - Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead. There still weren’t enough for them.
What does "Judges 21:14" mean?
This verse is part of a very disturbing narrative in Judges 19-21, dealing with the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. Let's break it down:
"Benjamin returned at that time...": This refers to the Benjamites who had fled after a civil war with the other tribes of Israel. They were almost completely wiped out.
"...and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead.": The other tribes of Israel felt guilty for their near annihilation of Benjamin. They had sworn not to give their daughters in marriage to Benjamites. To get around this oath, they remembered that they had sworn to destroy any town that didn't participate in the war against Benjamin. Since Jabesh Gilead had been absent, the Israelites attacked them, killing all the men and women who had known a man, but sparing 400 virgins to give as wives to the Benjamites.
"There still weren’t enough for them.": Even with the 400 women from Jabesh Gilead, there were still not enough wives for all the remaining Benjamite men. This highlights the devastation of the tribe.
In essence, the verse illustrates the desperate measures taken to repopulate the tribe of Benjamin after a brutal civil war. It also reveals the problematic and violent nature of the solutions, including the massacre of the people of Jabesh Gilead and the forced marriage of women.
Key Points to Consider:
Context: The book of Judges is characterized by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. However, there are times when Israel hits rock bottom in depravity and sin, and this narrative is one of those times.
Morality: The actions described in these chapters are morally reprehensible by modern standards. It's important to understand that the Bible contains stories about human actions, both good and bad, and doesn't necessarily endorse everything that is depicted.
Theological Significance: The fact that God continues to work through a flawed and sinful people is a recurring theme in the Bible. Even amidst this violence and dysfunction, God's promises to Israel still stand.
Historical Accuracy: The historical accuracy of the events described in Judges is debated among scholars. Some see it as a largely symbolic or legendary account.
Understanding this verse requires understanding the larger context of the story and grappling with the difficult moral questions it raises. It is a grim depiction of a society in disarray and a testament to the consequences of violence and disobedience.