Bible Commentary

And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. 24. departed ] went their ways, as the form of the verb implies, going in this direction and that, cf. Gen 13:17, Jos 18:4. The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:24”

And the children of Benjamin did so, and took [them] wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them. 23. took them wives carried off ] Render carried off wives seized. The expression to take wives … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:23”

And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favorable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, [that] ye should be guilty. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:22”

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. 21. to dance in the dances ] For the religious dance on occasions of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:21”

Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards; Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin,…. The two hundred men of the tribe that wanted wives; they ordered them as follows, and which they spake with authority, being the elders of the congregation, Jud 21:16 saying, go and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:20”

Then they said, Behold, [there is] a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly [in a place] which [is] on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah. 19. there is a feast ] the feast (marg.). The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:19”

Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed [be] he that giveth a wife to Benjamin. For the children of Israel have sworn – See Jdg 21:1. Compare Sauls rash oath 1Sa 14:24, and his breach of the oath made to the Gideonites 2Sa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:18”

And they said, [There must be] an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel. 17. There must be an inheritance of Benjamin ] The Hebr. has only An inheritance of the escaped for (or of) Benjamin, which yields no sense, and suggests corruption in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:17”

Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin? 16. the elders of the congregation ] See on Jdg 20:1, and cf. Lev 4:15. That this half of the verse does not belong to the old story is further … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:16”

And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel. 15. From the A narrative; sequel of Jdg 21:1. had made a breach ] Cf. 2Sa 6:8; 2Sa 5:20 and Exo 19:22; Exo 19:24 J. In early civilization it was felt to be a grave … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 21:15”