Judges 21:10

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.

Bible in Basic English

So they (the meeting) sent twelve thousand of the best fighting-men, and gave them orders, saying, Go and put the people of Jabesh-gilead to the sword without mercy, with their women and their little ones.

Free Bible Version

So the assembly sent twelve thousand of their best warriors there. They gave them orders, saying, “Go and kill the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with your swords, even the women and children.

Geneva Bible 1599

Therefore the Congregation sent thither twelue thousande men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, Goe, and smite the inhabitants of Iabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, both women, and children.

King James (Authorized) Version

Translation for Translators

So all the Israelis decided to send 12,000 very good soldiers to Jabesh-Gilead to kill the people there with their swords, even to kill the married women and children.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The assembly sent twelve thousand of their bravest men with instructions to go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, including the women and children.

Noah Webster Bible

And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

World English Bible

The congregation sent twelve thousand of the most valiant men there, and commanded them, saying, “Go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.

Young's Literal Translation

And the company send there twelve thousand men of the sons of valour, and command them, saying, 'Go — and ye have smitten the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead by the mouth of the sword, even the women and the infants.

Context

Wives for the Benjamites

⁹For when the people were counted, none of the residents of Jabesh-gilead were there.¹⁰So 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. ¹¹This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.”

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

In this verse, the assembly of Israel gathered at Mizpah to address the devastating consequences of the civil war that had occurred among the tribes. They sought to find a solution to ensure the survival of the tribe of Benjamin, which was almost wiped out. The leaders of Israel were deeply concerned about the continuity of this tribe and were determined to help them rebuild. This event reflects the complexities and challenges faced by the Israelites during the period of the judges, highlighting the importance of unity, restoration, and compassion within the community of God's people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest,.... That were in their army; in the Vulgate Latin version it is only 10,000; but the Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and Josephus (c), agree with the Hebrew text. This place, according to Bunting, to which this army was sent, was fifty two miles from Shiloh (d): and commanded them, saying; these were the orders they gave them, when they marched out: go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children; which it seems was according to the oath they had made, Jdg 21:5. (c) Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 2. sect. 10.) (d) Travels, &c. p. 121.