Judges 21:19 is part of a solution to a difficult situation the Israelites have created for themselves. Let's break down the verse and its context:
Context: The Israelite tribes have sworn an oath not to give their daughters in marriage to the tribe of Benjamin, due to Benjamin's near-extermination after a civil war. However, they now feel remorse for almost wiping out a tribe of Israel. They are trying to figure out a way to let the remaining Benjaminite men have wives without breaking their oath.
"They said, 'Behold, there is a feast of Yahweh from year to year in Shiloh...'": "They" refers to the elders or leaders of the Israelite tribes. They're presenting a potential solution. The annual feast in Shiloh is a known event. It's a religious pilgrimage and festival.
"...which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.": This is a geographical description of Shiloh's location. The verse is pointing out the exact place where the feast will be held. This is important because it sets the stage for the plan that follows.
Meaning in Context: The verse sets up the next step in the plan. The Israelites are going to allow the remaining men from the tribe of Benjamin to capture and marry women who come to Shiloh for the annual feast. Because they are not giving their daughters, they believe they are not breaking their oath.
In summary, the verse is significant because:
It provides the location of a well-known religious festival, the feast of Yahweh in Shiloh.
It sets the stage for the unusual and ethically questionable plan to provide wives for the remaining Benjaminite men.
Essentially, this verse is highlighting the opportunity the feast at Shiloh presents to solve the problem of Benjamin's lack of women. It's a logistical note that's crucial to the narrative's progression.
Judges 21:19 is part of a solution to a difficult situation the Israelites have created for themselves. Let's break down the verse and its context:
Context: The Israelite tribes have sworn an oath not to give their daughters in marriage to the tribe of Benjamin, due to Benjamin's near-extermination after a civil war. However, they now feel remorse for almost wiping out a tribe of Israel. They are trying to figure out a way to let the remaining Benjaminite men have wives without breaking their oath.
"They said, 'Behold, there is a feast of Yahweh from year to year in Shiloh...'": "They" refers to the elders or leaders of the Israelite tribes. They're presenting a potential solution. The annual feast in Shiloh is a known event. It's a religious pilgrimage and festival.
"...which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.": This is a geographical description of Shiloh's location. The verse is pointing out the exact place where the feast will be held. This is important because it sets the stage for the plan that follows.
Meaning in Context: The verse sets up the next step in the plan. The Israelites are going to allow the remaining men from the tribe of Benjamin to capture and marry women who come to Shiloh for the annual feast. Because they are not giving their daughters, they believe they are not breaking their oath.
In summary, the verse is significant because:
It provides the location of a well-known religious festival, the feast of Yahweh in Shiloh.
It sets the stage for the unusual and ethically questionable plan to provide wives for the remaining Benjaminite men.
Essentially, this verse is highlighting the opportunity the feast at Shiloh presents to solve the problem of Benjamin's lack of women. It's a logistical note that's crucial to the narrative's progression.