Judges 21:6 - The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, “There is one tribe cut off from Israel today.
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What does "Judges 21:6" mean?
Judges 21:6, "The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, “There is one tribe cut off from Israel today," refers to the aftermath of the devastating civil war described in Judges 19-21. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
The Context: The verse comes after a brutal war between the other tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. This war was sparked by a heinous crime committed in the Benjamite city of Gibeah, where a Levite's concubine was raped and murdered. The other tribes demanded justice, but the Benjamites refused to hand over the perpetrators. This led to a full-scale war that nearly wiped out the entire tribe of Benjamin.
"The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother": This highlights the deep sense of loss and regret felt by the other tribes. Despite the Benjamites' initial wrongdoing, the other Israelites were still bound to them by kinship and a shared identity as the people of Israel. They hadn't intended to almost annihilate a tribe, but the situation spiraled out of control. They understood the gravity of what they had done.
"There is one tribe cut off from Israel today": This statement underscores the near-extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. The war had resulted in the deaths of almost all Benjamite men. The Israelites were horrified by the prospect of one of the twelve tribes of Israel disappearing entirely. The twelve tribes represented the wholeness and completeness of the nation.
Significance: This verse is significant for several reasons:
Illustrates the destructive consequences of sin and division: The entire episode serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked immorality and the devastating impact of internal conflict.
Highlights the importance of unity and reconciliation: The other tribes' grief shows that they valued the unity of Israel, even after the Benjamites' transgression. The rest of the chapter details their efforts to prevent Benjamin from disappearing completely, showing a desire for restoration.
Reveals the flawed nature of the judges period: This period of Israelite history was marked by a lack of central leadership and a tendency toward moral decline. The events in Judges 19-21 are a prime example of the chaos and violence that ensued when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25).
Sets the stage for the monarchy: The disarray and near-destruction of Benjamin contribute to the later demand for a king to bring order and stability to Israel.
In short, Judges 21:6 is a poignant expression of sorrow and regret over the tragic consequences of a civil war that almost led to the extinction of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It highlights the importance of unity, justice, and the dangers of unchecked sin.
Judges 21:6 - The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, “There is one tribe cut off from Israel today.
What does "Judges 21:6" mean?
Judges 21:6, "The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, “There is one tribe cut off from Israel today," refers to the aftermath of the devastating civil war described in Judges 19-21. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
The Context: The verse comes after a brutal war between the other tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. This war was sparked by a heinous crime committed in the Benjamite city of Gibeah, where a Levite's concubine was raped and murdered. The other tribes demanded justice, but the Benjamites refused to hand over the perpetrators. This led to a full-scale war that nearly wiped out the entire tribe of Benjamin.
"The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother": This highlights the deep sense of loss and regret felt by the other tribes. Despite the Benjamites' initial wrongdoing, the other Israelites were still bound to them by kinship and a shared identity as the people of Israel. They hadn't intended to almost annihilate a tribe, but the situation spiraled out of control. They understood the gravity of what they had done.
"There is one tribe cut off from Israel today": This statement underscores the near-extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. The war had resulted in the deaths of almost all Benjamite men. The Israelites were horrified by the prospect of one of the twelve tribes of Israel disappearing entirely. The twelve tribes represented the wholeness and completeness of the nation.
Significance: This verse is significant for several reasons:
Illustrates the destructive consequences of sin and division: The entire episode serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked immorality and the devastating impact of internal conflict.
Highlights the importance of unity and reconciliation: The other tribes' grief shows that they valued the unity of Israel, even after the Benjamites' transgression. The rest of the chapter details their efforts to prevent Benjamin from disappearing completely, showing a desire for restoration.
Reveals the flawed nature of the judges period: This period of Israelite history was marked by a lack of central leadership and a tendency toward moral decline. The events in Judges 19-21 are a prime example of the chaos and violence that ensued when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25).
Sets the stage for the monarchy: The disarray and near-destruction of Benjamin contribute to the later demand for a king to bring order and stability to Israel.
In short, Judges 21:6 is a poignant expression of sorrow and regret over the tragic consequences of a civil war that almost led to the extinction of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It highlights the importance of unity, justice, and the dangers of unchecked sin.