Judges 21 13

Judges 21:13 kjv

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.

Judges 21:13 nkjv

Then the whole congregation sent word to the children of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon, and announced peace to them.

Judges 21:13 niv

Then the whole assembly sent an offer of peace to the Benjamites at the rock of Rimmon.

Judges 21:13 esv

Then the whole congregation sent word to the people of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon and proclaimed peace to them.

Judges 21:13 nlt

The Israelite assembly sent a peace delegation to the remaining people of Benjamin who were living at the rock of Rimmon.

Judges 21 verses

Judges 21 13 Meaning

Judges 21:13 describes the collective action of the entire Israelite congregation as they send emissaries to the 600 surviving men of the tribe of Benjamin, who had taken refuge at the Rock of Rimmon. The purpose of this delegation was to negotiate with them and to formally proclaim an offer of peace and reconciliation, signifying a crucial turning point from intense civil war and near annihilation to a desperate attempt at restoration and the preservation of a tribal identity within Israel.

Judges 21 13 Context

Judges chapter 21 concludes the grim narrative of the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin, following the heinous sin in Gibeah (chapter 19) and the ensuing civil war (chapter 20). The initial rage of the other Israelite tribes led them to inflict such severe casualties that only 600 Benjaminites survived, isolated at the Rock of Rimmon. Crucially, the Israelites had also sworn an oath at Mizpah that no man would give his daughter in marriage to a Benjaminite (Judg 21:1).

In the wake of their victory, deep regret and sorrow befell the tribes as they realized the imminent extinction of an entire tribe of Israel, a foundational component of God's covenant people. The people wept and mourned before the Lord (Judg 21:2-3), recognizing their folly and the damage to the tribal unity ordained by God. Judges 21:13 occurs in this critical phase where the congregation, desperate to prevent the loss of a tribe, actively seeks a way to preserve Benjamin despite their earlier oath and destructive actions. This verse initiates the process of reconciliation and finding a pragmatic (though morally compromised by today's standards) solution to the wives' dilemma for the surviving Benjaminites. The backdrop is one where "every man did what was right in his own eyes," leading to cycles of violence and unrighteousness, yet interspersed with moments of attempting to uphold some semblance of national, covenantal identity.

Judges 21 13 Word analysis

• And the whole congregation (וְכָל-הָעֵדָה - v'chol-ha'edah):

  • וְכָל- (v'chol-): "And all" or "the whole." Emphasizes the unanimous or collective decision of the assembly, not just a few leaders.
  • הָעֵדָה (ha'edah): "The congregation," "the assembly," or "community." This term often refers to the corporate body of Israel, particularly in a covenantal or juridical sense (e.g., in the Pentateuch). Its use here highlights that the action to preserve Benjamin was a deliberate, unified resolution of the entire collective Israelite community, acknowledging their shared responsibility and dilemma. This contrasts with earlier spontaneous or rage-driven actions.

• sent (וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ - vayyishl'chu): "And they sent," (piel imperfect, sequential waw). Denotes an active, deliberate dispatching of representatives or emissaries. It implies official authorization and intent for a specific purpose, highlighting the gravity of the communication.

• some to speak (וַיְדַבְּרוּ - vaydab'ru): "And they spoke," "and they discussed" or "negotiated." Indicates an act of formal dialogue or communication, not merely delivering a message. It suggests a willingness to engage in a conversation rather than issuing an order. This opens a pathway for discourse between the two fractured parties.

• to the children of Benjamin (אֶל-בְּנֵי בִנְיָמִין - el b'nei Binyamin):

  • אֶל- (el-): "To" or "towards." Directs the action specifically to the tribal group.
  • בְּנֵי בִנְיָמִין (b'nei Binyamin): "Sons of Benjamin," meaning the male members of the tribe. This retains their identity as a distinct tribal entity within Israel, even after being reduced to a mere 600 men. It emphasizes the concern for the continued existence of one of Jacob's twelve sons.

• who were at the rock of Rimmon (אֲשֶׁר בְּסֶלַע הָרִמּוֹן - asher b'sela' haRimmon):

  • אֲשֶׁר (asher): "Who," "which," or "where."
  • בְּסֶלַע (b'sela'): "At the rock of." Sela' refers to a prominent, rugged cliff or rock formation, typically providing natural defense and refuge.
  • הָרִמּוֹן (haRimmon): "Rimmon" means "pomegranate." This was the specific, well-known place where the 600 Benjaminite survivors had fled and remained isolated after the decisive battle of chapter 20 (Judg 20:47). This geographical detail roots the narrative in reality and underscores the isolation and vulnerability of the survivors, who were cornered in a desolate place.

• and to proclaim (וַיִּקְרְאוּ - vayyiq're'u): "And they called," "proclaimed," or "announced publicly." Indicates a formal and open declaration. It was a message to be heard by all.

• peace to them (שָׁלוֹם לָהֶם - shalom lahem):

  • שָׁלוֹם (shalom): A rich Hebrew term that means far more than just "absence of conflict." It encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, health, safety, reconciliation, and harmony. It is a state of flourishing in every aspect of life, often associated with God's favor.
  • לָהֶם (lahem): "To them," directing the offer of shalom explicitly to the Benjaminite men.
  • The proclamation of shalom is highly significant, marking a complete shift from enmity and violence to an overture of reconciliation and restoration. It is an invitation for the Benjaminites to return to a state of peace and reintegration with the broader Israelite community, crucial for the nation's spiritual and demographic health.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the whole congregation sent... some to speak...": This phrase highlights the profound communal gravity and deliberation behind the mission. It signals a move away from impulsive, destructive rage (as seen in chapter 20) towards a unified, thought-out strategy for communal preservation and rectification. It emphasizes the concept of Israel as a singular, albeit fractured, covenant people.
• "to the children of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon": This collective address recognizes and reaffirms the Benjaminite identity even in their abject state of isolation and vulnerability. It personalizes the peace overture, acknowledging their suffering and place of desperate refuge. The "Rock of Rimmon" serves as a poignant symbol of their previous near-annihilation and their current desolate situation.
• "and to proclaim peace to them": This is the heart of the message. The shift from aggressive war to an explicit offer of shalom (wholeness, well-being, reconciliation) is transformational. It indicates a realization by the remaining tribes that true victory does not involve the extinction of a brother tribe, but rather its preservation and restoration to the covenant community. This act is fundamental for any future negotiations concerning wives and the rebuilding of Benjamin.

Judges 21 13 Bonus section

The dramatic shift from nearly exterminating Benjamin to pleading for peace highlights the volatile and often contradictory moral landscape of the Judges period, where immediate self-righteousness often overshadowed long-term covenantal implications. This plea for shalom also serves as a necessary preliminary step to address the complex problem of obtaining wives for the Benjaminite survivors, a challenge arising directly from the tribes' hastily sworn oath. The narrative implies a primitive yet profound grasp of the divine imperative to preserve Israel as a whole, irrespective of deep internal division and sin, pointing toward God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant and His desire for reconciliation among His people. This verse subtly contrasts human vengeance with the divine preference for a remnant, a theme frequently found in prophetic literature.

Judges 21 13 Commentary

Judges 21:13 encapsulates a moment of critical turning from Israel's internal bloodshed to a conscious effort at preservation and reconciliation. The "whole congregation" underscores the collective regret and corporate responsibility felt after realizing the drastic consequences of their righteous, yet overzealous, judgment against Benjamin. The explicit "proclamation of peace" (shalom) to the besieged remnant at the Rock of Rimmon signifies not merely an end to hostilities, but an active pursuit of restoration, wholeness, and reintegration into the covenant community. This desperate plea for shalom demonstrates a raw understanding that even a grievously wronged brother must be saved, lest the foundational identity of "Israel"—the twelve tribes—be forever shattered. It reveals a flawed but determined attempt to rectify past error and re-establish harmony, a principle echoed throughout scripture where peace and restoration are God's ultimate desire for His people.