Judges 21 21

Judges 21:21 kjv

And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

Judges 21:21 nkjv

and watch; and just when the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, then come out from the vineyards, and every man catch a wife for himself from the daughters of Shiloh; then go to the land of Benjamin.

Judges 21:21 niv

and watch. When the young women of Shiloh come out to join in the dancing, rush from the vineyards and each of you seize one of them to be your wife. Then return to the land of Benjamin.

Judges 21:21 esv

and watch. If the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards and snatch each man his wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

Judges 21:21 nlt

When you see the young women of Shiloh come out for their dances, rush out from the vineyards, and each of you can take one of them home to the land of Benjamin to be your wife!

Judges 21 verses

Judges 21 21 Meaning

Judges 21:21 describes the desperate and pragmatic solution devised by the remaining tribes of Israel to provide wives for the nearly annihilated tribe of Benjamin, despite a prior rash vow. It instructs the surviving Benjaminites to hide in vineyards and ambush the young women of Shiloh when they come out to perform their ceremonial dances during an annual religious festival. Each man is commanded to "catch" or forcibly seize a woman as his wife and then immediately return with her to the land of Benjamin. This act of sanctioned abduction aims to preserve one of Israel's twelve tribes, showcasing the profound moral and spiritual decline of the era "when there was no king in Israel."

Judges 21 21 Context

Judges 21:21 is the climax of the final, and perhaps darkest, section of the Book of Judges (chapters 19-21). This period begins with a shocking tale of depravity in Gibeah of Benjamin, leading to a civil war that almost annihilated the entire tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites, distraught by the near loss of a tribe and remembering a prior rash vow made during the war (Jdg 21:1 – that none would give their daughters to Benjamin as wives), face a moral dilemma. They feel compelled to uphold their oath but also to prevent the extinction of a tribe of Israel. Their human-devised solution involves a prior attempt to procure wives from Jabesh-Gilead (where inhabitants did not join the battle, Jdg 21:8-12) and, ultimately, this grim instruction. The verse falls within the desperate scheme sanctioned by the leaders of Israel, during a "feast of the Lord" at Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located, illustrating how a sacred event was corrupted for an unrighteous purpose. This entire narrative reinforces the theme repeated in Judges 17:6 and 21:25: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Judges 21 21 Word analysis

• And see, and, behold, (וּרְאִיתֶם, הִנֵּה – u-re’item, hinneh): These are introductory particles drawing immediate attention, conveying urgency and indicating an imminent, significant instruction. They serve to underscore the moment for action, prompting an observational readiness for the opportune time.
• if the daughters of Shiloh (בְּנוֹת שִׁילוֹ – b’not Shiloh): "Daughters" (בְּנוֹת) refers to young women, signifying their vulnerability. Shiloh was a highly significant religious center for Israel, the location of the Tabernacle and a place of pilgrimage (Josh 18:1; 1 Sam 1:3). Targeting the women from a sacred community during a festival highlights the deep moral compromise and disrespect for holy things characteristic of this era.
• come out to dance in the dances (לָחוּל בַּמְּחֹלוֹת – lachul bam'cholot): Machol (מָחוֹל) refers to a festive, often circular, dance, commonly associated with celebration and worship (Ex 15:20; Psa 150:4; Jer 31:4, 13). The context implies a joyous occasion, a "feast of the LORD" (v. 19), transforming a moment of innocent celebration and reverence into a time of vulnerability for the unsuspecting women, reflecting the moral blindness and expediency of the Israelite leadership.
• then come out of the vineyards (צֵאתֶם מִן-הַכְּרָמִים – tze’tem min-hakk’ramim): Vineyards (כְּרָמִים) with their dense foliage, provide natural concealment, making them ideal for an ambush. This detail underscores the pre-meditated, calculated, and deceptive nature of the plan.
• and catch (וּתְפַשְׂתֶּם – ut’fastern): The verb taphas (תָּפַשׂ) means to seize, lay hold of, catch, or apprehend. In this context, it unequivocally implies a forceful, non-consensual act of abduction rather than consensual courtship or agreement. It describes an act of snatching rather than receiving or choosing.
• every man his wife (אִישׁ לֹאשְׁתּוֹ – ish l'ishto): Despite the violent and non-consensual act, the term "his wife" (אִשְׁתּוֹ) immediately following "catch" signifies that these seized women were intended to be legitimate wives, essential for the purpose of procreation and tribal perpetuation in a patriarchal society. This legalizes the relationship in a socio-cultural context, aiming for the integration of the abducted women into the Benjaminite families, reflecting the gravity of their purpose.
• of the daughters of Shiloh (מִבְּנוֹת שִׁילוֹ – mibenot Shiloh): Reiteration of the target group, emphasizing the origin of the abducted women from this significant, holy site.
• and go to the land of Benjamin (וַהֲלַכְתֶּם אֶרֶץ בִּנְיָמִן – vahalaKtem eretz Binyamin): This final instruction indicates the immediate and ultimate goal: to return to their ancestral land with their new wives, thereby re-establishing households and ensuring the continuation and repopulation of the tribe of Benjamin.

Judges 21 21 Bonus section

The account in Judges 21:21 underscores a common biblical theme: the grave consequences of making rash vows without fully considering the implications, and attempting to solve problems arising from sin with more sin. While the intention to preserve a tribe of Israel may seem noble, the methods employed are a testament to the chaotic and ungodly state of Israel, demonstrating a lack of trust in God’s redemptive power and provision. It highlights that even "for the sake of the Lord" (implied through preserving His people), God does not endorse actions that violate fundamental principles of justice, human dignity, and holiness. The narrative contrasts starkly with God's perfect justice and mercy, demonstrating that human "solutions" often fall short and introduce further brokenness. This story serves as a cautionary tale against situational ethics that disregard divine standards and reliance on human cunning rather than seeking divine wisdom and repentance.

Judges 21 21 Commentary

Judges 21:21 exposes the profound moral and spiritual deterioration in Israel during the time of the judges. Faced with the catastrophic outcome of their civil war against Benjamin and bound by a rash vow, the tribal leaders sanction a pragmatic, yet deeply unethical, solution: the mass abduction of women from a sacred community during a religious festival. This act is not an isolated incident of individual depravity but a corporate decision, revealing a people desperate to solve a human problem with human means, entirely divorced from God's character and direct commands. The selection of the vulnerable dancing women, the hiding in vineyards for ambush, and the explicit command to "catch" wives, collectively paints a picture of societal decay where expediency overrides justice, honor, and covenantal fidelity. The entire narrative culminates with the tragic refrain, "every man did what was right in his own eyes," starkly highlighting the dire need for righteous leadership, ideally a king, who would rule according to God's standards, providing order and preventing such atrocities.