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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 21:14 And at that time the Benjamites returned and were given the women who were spared from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough women for all of them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/21-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/07_Jdg_21_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 21:14 - Wives for the Benjamites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And at that time the Benjamites returned and were given the women who were spared from Jabesh-gilead. 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But there were not enough for all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the men of Benjamin returned to their homes, and the 400 women of Jabesh-gilead who had been spared were given to them as wives. But there were not enough women for all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Benjamin returned at that time. And they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead, but they were not enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And at that time the Benjamites returned and were given the women who were spared from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough women for all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Benjamin came back at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead; and yet they had not found enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And <i>the tribe of</i> Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had allowed to live from the women of Jabesh-gilead; but they were not enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had kept alive from the women of Jabesh-gilead; yet they were not enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had kept alive from the women of Jabesh-gilead; yet they were not enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had kept alive from the women of Jabesh-gilead; yet they did not find enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So [the survivors of] Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had kept alive from the women of Jabesh-gilead; but there were not enough [to provide wives] for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Benjamin returned at that time, and Israel gave them the women they had kept alive from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Benjamin returned at that time, and Israel gave them the women they had kept alive from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough for them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So the men of Benjamin came back from Rimmon Rock, and the Israelites let them marry the young women from Jabesh. But there weren't enough women. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women which they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So the men of Benjamin came back at that time. These men were given the women from Jabesh Gilead who had been kept alive. However, the congregation had not found enough women for all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Benjaminites came back, and the other Israelites gave them the young women from Jabesh whom they had not killed. But there were not enough of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the survivors of the tribe of Benjamin returned at that time, and the Israelis gave them the women whom they had kept alive from the raid on Jabesh-gilead. Even so, there weren't enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And at that time the Benjamites returned and were given the women who were spared from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough women for all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Benjaminites returned at that time, and the Israelites gave to them the women they had spared from Jabesh Gilead. But there were not enough to go around. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead: and yet so they weren't enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead. There still weren’t enough for them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Benjamin turns back at that time, and they give to them the women whom they have kept alive of the women of Jabesh-Gilead, and they have not found for [all of] them so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Benjamin turneth back at that time, and they give to them the women whom they have kept alive of the women of Jabesh-Gilead, and they have not found for all of them so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Benjamin will turn back in that time; and they will give them the women which they saved alive from the women of Jabesh-Gilead: and they found for them not thus.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin came at that time, and wives were given them of the daughters of Jabes Galaad: but they found no others, whom they might give in like manner. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin went, at that time, and wives were given to them from the daughters of Jabesh-Gilead. But others were not found, whom they might give in a similar manner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So Benjamin returned at that time, and they were given as wives the women of Jabesh-gilead who had been spared; but these proved to be not enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead; but they did not suffice for them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Benjamin came back at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead; but there were not enough for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Benjamin came at that time, and they gave to them the women whom they saved from the women of Yabish of Gelad, and it was not enough for them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead; and yet so they sufficed them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Benjamin returned to the children of Israel at that time, and the children of Israel gave them the women whom they <i>had</i> save alive of the daughters of Jabis Galaad; and they were content.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/21-14.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=6535" 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">13</span>Then the whole congregation sent a message of peace to the Benjamites who were at the rock of Rimmon. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hî (Art:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">And at that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: bā·‘êṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">time</a> <a href="/hebrew/1144.htm" title="1144: bin·yā·min (N-proper-ms) -- From ben and yamiyn; son of right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">the Benjamites</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·tə·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and were given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: han·nā·šîm (Art:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the women</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: ḥî·yū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">who were spared</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: min·nə·šê (Prep-m:: N-fpc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3003.htm" title="3003: yā·ḇêš (N-proper-fs) -- A place in Gilead, also an Isr. The same as yabesh; Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine.">from Jabesh-gilead.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1568.htm" title="1568: gil·‘āḏ (N-proper-fs) -- Probably from Gal'ed; Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">But there were not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣə·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To attain to, find. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">enough women</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">for all of them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>The people grieved for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a void in the tribes of Israel.…<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="/judges/20-48.htm">Judges 20:48</a></span><br />And the men of Israel turned back against the other Benjamites and put to the sword all the cities, including the animals and everything else they found. And they burned down all the cities in their path.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Judges 11:1-2</a></span><br />Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor; he was the son of a prostitute, and Gilead was his father. / And Gilead’s wife bore him sons who grew up, drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, because you are the son of another woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Judges 19:1-2</a></span><br />Now in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite who lived in the remote hill country of Ephraim took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. / But she was unfaithful to him and left him to return to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah. After she had been there four months,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-1.htm">Judges 20:1-2</a></span><br />Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah. / The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12-13</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you? / Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-18.htm">Judges 20:18</a></span><br />The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-23.htm">Judges 20:23</a></span><br />They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-26.htm">Judges 20:26-28</a></span><br />Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. / And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, / and Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served before it.) The Israelites asked, “Should we again go out to battle against our brothers the Benjamites, or should we stop?” The LORD answered, “Fight, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-35.htm">Judges 20:35</a></span><br />The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-42.htm">Judges 20:42-43</a></span><br />So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there. / They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1-2</a></span><br />In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. / The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-7.htm">1 Samuel 11:7</a></span><br />He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-47.htm">1 Samuel 14:47-48</a></span><br />After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them. / He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.<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="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1-2</a></span><br />On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.</p><p class="hdg">suffice them not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Judges 21:12</a></b></br> And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which <i>is</i> in the land of Canaan.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/20-47.htm">Judges 20:47</a></b></br> But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2</a></b></br> Nevertheless, <i>to avoid</i> fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/8-19.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/judges/21-13.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/21-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/6-38.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Jabesh</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Jabeshgilead</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Jabesh-Gilead</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Ja'besh-Gil'ead</a> <a href="/judges/20-45.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/judges/8-19.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-26.htm">Suffice</a> <a href="/ruth/2-18.htm">Sufficed</a> <a href="/judges/20-30.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/19-7.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-2.htm">Weren't</a> <a href="/judges/21-7.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-6.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/judges/21-15.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/ruth/1-17.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ruth/1-13.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Jabesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Jabeshgilead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Jabesh-Gilead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Ja'besh-Gil'ead</a> <a href="/ruth/2-23.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-19.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-33.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-10.htm">Suffice</a> <a href="/ruth/2-14.htm">Sufficed</a> <a href="/judges/21-19.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-4.htm">Weren't</a> <a href="/judges/21-16.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/judges/21-16.htm">Women</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>And at that time the Benjamites returned</b><br>The Benjamites had been nearly annihilated due to a civil war with the other Israelite tribes, as recounted in <a href="/judges/20.htm">Judges 20</a>. This return marks a pivotal moment of reconciliation and restoration for the tribe. The timing is significant, as it follows a period of mourning and repentance by the Israelites, who realized the near extinction of one of their tribes. This reflects the cyclical nature of sin and redemption seen throughout the Book of Judges.<p><b>and were given the women who were spared from Jabesh-gilead</b><br>Jabesh-gilead was a city east of the Jordan River, in the territory of Gilead. The inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead had not participated in the assembly against Benjamin, leading to their punishment and the sparing of 400 virgins to provide wives for the Benjamites. This act, while controversial, was seen as a necessary measure to preserve the tribe of Benjamin. It highlights the complex interplay of justice and mercy in the Old Testament, as well as the communal responsibility of the Israelite tribes.<p><b>But there were not enough women for all of them</b><br>Despite the provision of women from Jabesh-gilead, the number was insufficient to ensure the survival of the entire tribe of Benjamin. This shortfall underscores the severity of the conflict and the desperate measures taken to rectify the situation. It also foreshadows the continued struggles and moral complexities faced by the Israelites, as they sought to maintain unity and identity in the Promised Land. This situation can be seen as a reflection of the broader theme of human insufficiency and the need for divine intervention, a theme that runs throughout the Bible and points to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/benjamites.htm">Benjamites</a></b><br>The tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, which faced near extinction due to a civil war with the other Israelite tribes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jabesh-gilead.htm">Jabesh-gilead</a></b><br>A city in Gilead, east of the Jordan River, whose inhabitants did not join the assembly at Mizpah and were consequently attacked by the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/civil_war.htm">Civil War</a></b><br>A conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes, sparked by a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a city of Benjamin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/assembly_at_mizpah.htm">Assembly at Mizpah</a></b><br>A gathering of the Israelite tribes to address the crime in Gibeah, leading to the decision to go to war against Benjamin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/women_of_jabesh-gilead.htm">Women of Jabesh-gilead</a></b><br>The women spared from the destruction of Jabesh-gilead, given to the Benjamites to provide wives for the surviving men.<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 destructive consequences of sin and the breakdown of societal order when God's laws are ignored.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_solutions_to_spiritual_problems.htm">Human Solutions to Spiritual Problems</a></b><br>The Israelites' attempt to solve the problem of the Benjamites' survival through human means, rather than seeking God's guidance, serves as a cautionary tale.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>The failure of Jabesh-gilead to join the assembly at Mizpah resulted in severe consequences, underscoring the importance of obedience to communal and divine directives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_amidst_judgment.htm">God's Mercy Amidst Judgment</a></b><br>Despite the chaos and judgment, there is a thread of mercy as the tribe of Benjamin is preserved, reflecting God's overarching plan and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The account illustrates the responsibility of the community to address sin and injustice, but also the need for wisdom and reliance on God in doing so.<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/how_does_judges_21_align_with_love.htm">How can a story that endorses forced marriage be harmonized with other biblical teachings on love and compassion (Judges 21)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_tribes_fully_possess_land.htm">If the land division was divinely ordained, why do other biblical accounts (e.g., Judges 1) describe tribes failing to fully possess these assigned territories?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_jabesh-gilead's_slaughter.htm">What archaeological evidence, if any, supports the slaughter of Jabesh-gilead described in this chapter (Judges 21:8-12)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_tim_3_1-7_conflict_with_women_leaders.htm">Does the emphasis on male leadership in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 conflict with teachings in other parts of the Bible that highlight women in ministry roles?</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>(14) <span class= "bld">Came again</span>--i.e., returned to their desolate towns.<p><span class= "bld">Yet so they sufficed them not.</span>--There would still be 200 Benjamites left without wives.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Benjamin came again</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> returned to their own homes in the tribe of Benjamin, as in ver. 23. Yet so they sufficed them net - or, <span class="accented">Yet so they</span> (the Israelites) <span class="accented">did not provide enough for them</span> (the Benjamites); or, <span class="accented">Yet so they</span> (the Benjamites) <span class="accented">had not enough for themselves.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/21-14.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">And at that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַהִ֔יא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">time</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעֵ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Benjamites</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּנְיָמִן֙</span> <span class="translit">(bin·yā·min)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1144.htm">Strong's 1144: </a> </span><span class="str2">Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">returned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֤שָׁב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and were given</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the women</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנָּשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(han·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<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 were spared</span><br /><span class="heb">חִיּ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥî·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Jabesh-gilead.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבֵ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3003.htm">Strong's 3003: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jabesh -- a place in Gilead, also an Israelite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But there were not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">enough [women]</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵּֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(kên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> </span><span class="str2">So -- thus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for all of them.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/21-14.htm">Judges 21:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/21-14.htm">OT History: Judges 21:14 Benjamin returned at that time (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/21-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 21:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 21:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/21-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 21:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 21:15" /></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>