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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220This is what you are to do,&#8221 they said. &#8220Kill every male and every woman who is not a virgin.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“This is what you are to do,” they said. “Completely destroy all the males and every woman who is not a virgin.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />This is what you shall do: every male and every woman that has lain with a male you shall devote to destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And this <i>is</i> the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And this <i>is</i> the thing that you shall do: You shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has known a man intimately.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And this is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has slept with a male.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every man and every woman who has lain with a man.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And this is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every man and every woman who has lain with a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now this is the thing that you shall do: you shall devote to destruction every man and every woman who has known, <i>that is</i> lain with, a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And this is the thing that you shall do; you shall utterly destroy every male and every woman who is not a virgin.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you should do: Completely destroy every male, as well as every woman who has gone to bed with a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you should do: Completely destroy every male, as well as every female who has slept with a man.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And this is the thing that ye shall do: ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And this is the thing that ye shall do; ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />These are your directions: Claim every female who has gone to bed with a man, and claim every male. Claim them for the LORD by destroying them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Kill all the males, and also every woman who is not a virgin." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You're to completely destroy every man and every married woman." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do this: exterminate every male, as well as every woman who has had sexual relations with a male. But spare the lives of any virgins." So they did as instructed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has slept with a man, but the virgins you are to keep alive." And they did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has lain with a man.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And this [is] the thing which you do; every male, and every woman knowing the lying of a male, you devote.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And this is the thing which ye do; every male, and every woman knowing the lying of a male, ye devote.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And this the word which ye shall do: every male and every woman knowing the bed of a male ye shall exterminate.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And this is what you shall observe: Every male, and all women that have known men, you shall kill, but the virgins you shall save. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And this shall be what you ought to do: “Everyone of the male gender, as well as all the women who have known men, shall be put to death. But the virgins you shall reserve.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />This is what you are to do: Every male and every woman who has had relations with a male you shall put under the ban.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />This is what you shall do; every male and every woman that has lain with a male you shall devote to destruction.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And this is the thing that you must do, You must utterly destroy every male and every woman that has lain with a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In this way, do: “Destroy every man and every woman with whom a man has had sexual intercourse”,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And this is the thing that ye shall do: ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And this shall ye do: every male and every woman that has known the lying with man ye shall devote <i>to destruction</i>, but the virgins ye shall save alive: and they did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/21-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=6507" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm">Wives for the Benjamites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>So the congregation sent 12,000 of their most valiant men and commanded them: “Go and put to the sword those living in Jabesh-gilead, including women and children. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: wə·zeh (Conj-w:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">This</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ta·‘ă·śū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you are to do:</a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: ta·ḥă·rî·mū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">Devote to destruction</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">male,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">as well as every</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">female</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·ḏa·‘aṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">who has had relations with</a> <a href="/hebrew/4904.htm" title="4904: miš·kaḇ- (N-msc) -- Place of lying, a couch, act of lying. From shakab; a bed; abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">a man.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>So they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young women who had not had relations with a man, and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16-17</a></span><br />However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-21.htm">Joshua 6:21</a></span><br />With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></span><br />Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17-18</a></span><br />So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man, / but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-19.htm">1 Samuel 22:19</a></span><br />He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Genesis 34:25-29</a></span><br />Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male. / They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away. / Jacob’s other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-11.htm">2 Kings 10:11</a></span><br />So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/25-12.htm">2 Chronicles 25:12</a></span><br />and the army of Judah also captured 10,000 men alive. They took them to the top of a cliff and threw them down so that all were dashed to pieces.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Ezekiel 9:5-6</a></span><br />And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-16.htm">Hosea 13:16</a></span><br />Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a></span><br />When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-27.htm">Luke 19:27</a></span><br />And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-23.htm">Acts 3:23</a></span><br />Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-22.htm">Romans 11:22</a></span><br />Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-13.htm">1 Corinthians 5:13</a></span><br />God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And this is the thing that you shall do, You shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that has lain by man.</p><p class="hdg">every male</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17,18</a></b></br> Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-34.htm">Deuteronomy 2:34</a></b></br> And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/17-2.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/judges/20-25.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/judges/1-17.htm">Devote</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-23.htm">Lain</a> <a href="/joshua/17-2.htm">Male</a> <a href="/judges/11-39.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-23.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/judges/19-24.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/exodus/22-17.htm">Virgins</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/3-13.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/ruth/4-6.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-21.htm">Devote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">Lain</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Male</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-8.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-2.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Virgins</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/21-1.htm">The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/21-8.htm">By the destruction of Jabesh Gilead they provide them four hundred wives.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/21-16.htm">They advise the remainder to surprise the virgins that danced at Shiloh</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>This is what you are to do:</b><br>This directive comes from the leaders of Israel after the civil war with the tribe of Benjamin. It reflects the seriousness with which they approached the need to address the sin and moral decay that had led to the conflict. The phrase indicates a command that is not open to negotiation, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for decisive action.<p><b>Devote to destruction every male:</b><br>The term "devote to destruction" is a translation of the Hebrew word "herem," which means to completely destroy or consecrate something to God by destroying it. This concept is seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as in the conquest of Canaan (<a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17</a>). It reflects the idea of purging evil from among the people to maintain holiness and obedience to God's commands. The focus on males here is significant, as it was the men of Benjamin who had committed the grievous sin that led to the conflict.<p><b>As well as every female who has had relations with a man:</b><br>This part of the command extends the destruction to women who have been sexually active, likely to ensure that no remnant of the tribe's sinful practices remains. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, sexual purity was closely tied to covenant faithfulness. The inclusion of women in this directive underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment and the desire to prevent any continuation of the tribe's previous behavior. This reflects the broader biblical theme of purity and the need to remove sin from the community, as seen in passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/13-12.htm">Deuteronomy 13:12-18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The collective tribes of Israel who are seeking to address the issue of the tribe of Benjamin's near extinction after a civil war.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/tribe_of_benjamin.htm">Tribe of Benjamin</a></b><br>One of the twelve tribes of Israel, nearly wiped out due to a conflict with the other tribes over a grievous sin committed in Gibeah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jabesh-gilead.htm">Jabesh-gilead</a></b><br>A city whose inhabitants did not join the assembly of Israel at Mizpah, leading to their being targeted for destruction.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/civil_war.htm">Civil War</a></b><br>The internal conflict among the tribes of Israel, specifically between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes, resulting in significant loss of life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mizpah.htm">Mizpah</a></b><br>The gathering place for the Israelites where they took an oath against giving their daughters to the Benjamites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The events in <a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm">Judges 21</a> highlight the severe consequences of sin and disobedience, both on a personal and communal level. The Israelites' actions were a direct result of the moral decay that had permeated their society.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_complexity_of_justice.htm">The Complexity of Justice</a></b><br>The passage challenges us to consider the complexity of justice in a fallen world. The Israelites sought to rectify a wrong but did so through further violence, raising questions about the means and ends of justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_and_unity.htm">The Importance of Community and Unity</a></b><br>The near destruction of a tribe underscores the importance of unity and community among God's people. It serves as a warning against division and internal strife.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_mercy.htm">God's Sovereignty and Mercy</a></b><br>Despite the grim circumstances, God's sovereignty is evident as He preserves a remnant of Benjamin, allowing for eventual restoration and reconciliation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_nazirite_vow.htm">What is the Nazirite vow?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_the_anakim_in_the_bible.htm">Who were the Anakim mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_annihilate_all_in_joshua_11_14.htm">Why does God command the annihilation of entire populations, including non-combatants, in Joshua 11:14?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_justice_shown_if_evil_rulers_die_peacefully.htm">Proverbs 11:21 asserts the wicked will not go unpunished--what evidence shows consistent justice in history, given many evil rulers died peacefully?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">Ye shall utterly destroy.</span>--The verb is <span class= "ital">tacharim-</span>--i.e., <span class= "ital">Ye shall place under the ban </span>(<span class= "ital">cherem</span>)<span class= "ital">, ye shall devote to destruction. </span>The words of the <span class= "ital">cherem </span>are almost identical with those of the indignant command of Moses after the war with Midian alluded to in the last verse (<a href="/context/numbers/31-17.htm" title="Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that has known man by lying with him.">Numbers 31:17-18</a>), and there the same exception is made. (Comp. <a href="/context/leviticus/27-21.htm" title="But the field, when it goes out in the jubilee, shall be holy to the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.">Leviticus 27:21-28</a>; <a href="/context/numbers/21-2.htm" title="And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.">Numbers 21:2-3</a>.) The words are easy to read; it is needless to dwell on the horror of the massacre which they describe. We are dealing throughout with the fierce passions of men living in times of gross spiritual darkness; for we cannot doubt that the oath against Jabesh-Gilead was carried out, though the writer drops a veil over all but the result. The vow of destruction (<span class= "ital">cherem, anathema, </span><a href="/context/leviticus/27-28.htm" title="Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote to the LORD of all that he has, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD.">Leviticus 27:28-29</a>) was quite different from the vow of devotion (<span class= "ital">neder</span>) and the vow of abstinence (<span class= "ital">corban</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span><p>(11) <span class= "bld">To dance in dances.</span>--Possibly the dances of the vintage festival. There is a fountain in a narrow dale, at a little distance from Shiloh, which was very probably the scene of this event. It is a needless conjecture that the feast was the Passover, and the dances a commemoration of the defeat of the Egyptians, like those of Miriam. There seems to have been no regular town at Shiloh; at least, no extensive ruins are traceable. It was probably a community like the Beth-Micah (see Note on <a href="/judges/18-2.htm" title="And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said to them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.">Judges 18:2</a>), which was mainly connected with the service of the Tabernacle. The "daughters of Shiloh" would naturally include many women who were in one way or other employed in various functions about the Tabernacle, and not only those who came there to worship (<a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm" title="Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did to all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.">1Samuel 2:22</a>, where "assembled" should be rendered <span class= "ital">served, </span>as in <a href="/numbers/4-23.htm" title="From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shall you number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.">Numbers 4:23</a>; "the handmaid" of the priests is mentioned in <a href="/2_samuel/17-17.htm" title="Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.">2Samuel 17:17</a>). But the traces of female attendants in the sanctuary are more numerous in Jewish traditions than in Scripture. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/21-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">This</span><br /><span class="heb">וְזֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is what</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are to do:</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘ă·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Completely destroy</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּחֲרִֽימוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥă·rî·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">male,</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as well as every</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">female</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who has had relations with</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹדַ֥עַת</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḏa·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man.”</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/21-11.htm">OT History: Judges 21:11 This is the thing that you shall (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/21-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 21:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 21:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/21-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 21:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 21:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>