Judges 21:17
Judges 21:17 in Multiple Translations
They added, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not blotted out from Israel.
And they said, How is the rest of Benjamin to be given offspring so that one tribe of Israel may not be put out of existence,
They added, “There have to be heirs for the Benjamite survivors—an Israelite tribe of Israel can't be wiped out.
And they saide, there must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Beniamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
And they say, 'A possession of an escaped party [is] to Benjamin, and a tribe is not blotted out from Israel;
They said, “There must be an inheritance for those who are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe not be blotted out from Israel.
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that have escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
And we must use all care, and provide with great diligence, that one tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
These men must have wives to give birth to children, in order that their families will continue. If that does not happen, all the people of one of the tribes of Israel will die.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 21:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 21:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת
פְּלֵיטָ֖ה
לְ/בִנְיָמִ֑ן
וְ/לֹֽא
יִמָּחֶ֥ה
שֵׁ֖בֶט
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵֽל
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת
yᵉrushshâh
H3425
possession
N-fs
פְּלֵיטָ֖ה
pᵉlêyṭâh
H6413
survivor
N-fs
לְ/בִנְיָמִ֑ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
Benjamin
Prep | N-proper
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יִמָּחֶ֥ה
mâchâh
H4229
to wipe
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
שֵׁ֖בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
N-ms
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 21:17
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת
yᵉrushshâh
H3425
"possession"
N-fs
Inheritance refers to something passed down to someone, like a family heirloom or a piece of land. It describes what is given to the next generation to own and occupy.
Definition: possession, inheritance
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: heritage, inheritance, possession. See also: Deuteronomy 2:5; Joshua 12:6; Psalms 61:6.
פְּלֵיטָ֖ה
pᵉlêyṭâh
H6413
"survivor"
N-fs
A survivor refers to deliverance or an escaped portion, describing those who remain after a disaster or judgment, like the remnant that escaped in biblical times.
Definition: 1) escape, deliverance 1a) escape, deliverance 1b) escaped remnant
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: deliverance, (that is) escape(-d), remnant. See also: Genesis 32:9; Ezra 9:15; Isaiah 4:2.
לְ/בִנְיָמִ֑ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
"Benjamin"
Prep | N-proper
Benjamin means son of the right hand, referring to the youngest son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him. The term is first used in Genesis 35:18. Benjamin was a brother of Joseph and a half-brother of Reuben and others.
Definition: § Benjamin = "son of the right hand" a gate in Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 160 OT verses. KJV: Benjamin. See also: Genesis 35:18; 1 Samuel 9:21; Psalms 68:28.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִמָּחֶ֥ה
mâchâh
H4229
"to wipe"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to erase or wipe something away. In Psalm 51:1, David asks God to blot out his sins. It can also mean to reach out or touch something.
Definition: 1) to wipe, wipe out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wipe 1a2) to blot out, obliterate 1a3) to blot out, exterminate 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be wiped out 1b2) to be blotted out 1b3) to be exterminated 1c) (Hiphil) to blot out (from memory)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: abolish, blot out, destroy, full of marrow, put out, reach unto, [idiom] utterly, wipe (away, out). See also: Genesis 6:7; Nehemiah 13:14; Psalms 9:6.
שֵׁ֖בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
N-ms
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
Prep | N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
Study Notes — Judges 21:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 21:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 21:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 21:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 21:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 21:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 21:17
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 21:17
Context — Wives for the Benjamites
15The people grieved for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a void in the tribes of Israel.
16Then the elders of the congregation said, “What should we do about wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?”
17They added, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.
18But we cannot give them our daughters as wives.” For the Israelites had sworn, “Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite.” 19“But look,” they said, “there is a yearly feast to the LORD in Shiloh, which is north of Bethel east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 26:55 | Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. |
| 2 | Numbers 36:7 | No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. |
Judges 21:17 Summary
The Israelites were worried that the tribe of Benjamin would disappear because there were no women left for the men to marry, as seen in Judges 21:16. They wanted to make sure that the tribe would continue, so they looked for a way to provide wives for the surviving men, as they knew that having children was a blessing from God (Psalms 127:3-5). This shows that the Israelites valued family and community, and they wanted to preserve these important aspects of their society, just like God values the importance of family and community, as seen in Ephesians 3:15. By seeking to preserve the tribe of Benjamin, the Israelites were also acknowledging God's sovereignty and providence in guiding their actions, as expressed in Proverbs 16:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Israelites concerned about the tribe of Benjamin being wiped out?
The Israelites were concerned because they wanted to preserve the unity and completeness of the twelve tribes of Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:1-29 and Revelation 21:12-14.
What did the Israelites mean by 'heirs for the survivors of Benjamin'?
The Israelites meant that they wanted the surviving men of Benjamin to have children, so that the tribe would continue and not become extinct, as they knew that having children was a blessing from God, as stated in Psalms 127:3-5.
Why was it important for the Israelites to maintain the distinctness of each tribe?
The Israelites believed that each tribe had a unique role and purpose in the nation of Israel, as seen in Genesis 49:1-28 and Exodus 28:21, and they wanted to preserve these distinctions to maintain their covenant with God.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty and the preservation of His people?
This verse shows that the Israelites recognized God's sovereignty and providence in preserving the tribe of Benjamin, and they sought to align their actions with His will, as expressed in Romans 11:25-29 and Isaiah 46:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can help preserve the unity and integrity of my own community or church, just like the Israelites were concerned about preserving their tribes?
- How can I, like the Israelites, trust in God's sovereignty and providence to guide and direct me in times of uncertainty or crisis?
- In what ways can I prioritize the importance of family and children, just like the Israelites were concerned about having 'heirs for the survivors of Benjamin'?
- What are some lessons that I can learn from the Israelites' desire to maintain the distinctness of each tribe, and how can I apply these lessons to my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 21:17
And they said, there must be an inheritance for them that be escaped Benjamin,.... The escaped are the six hundred men in the rock Rimmon; four hundred of them were supplied with wives, the other two
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 21:17
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel. There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 21:17
The inheritance promised by Jacob and Moses, and given by Joshua to the tribe of Benjamin, doth all of it belong to those few which remain of that tribe, and cannot be possessed by any other tribe; and therefore we are obliged to procure wives for them all, that they may make up this breach, and be capable of possessing and managing all their land, that this tribe and their inheritance may not be confounded with or swallowed up by any of the rest. Heb. the inheritance (to wit, belonging to the whole tribe of Benjamin) is or belongs to them that be escaped of Benjamin.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 21:17
Judges 21:17 And they said, [There must be] an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.Ver. 17. There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped.] Else our state will be dismembered. But why was not this thought of before now? Anger is an evil counsellor; and cannot do, but it must over do. Wherefore, “ Vince animos, iramque tuam. ” That a tribe be not destroyed.] St Paul and many other good men were afterwards of this tribe. The whole "twelve tribes served God instantly day and night."
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 21:17
(17) There must be an inheritance.—Rather, possession of the remnant shall be for Benjamin—i.e., We will leave untouched their land and possessions. “We give you leave to take the whole land of Benjamin to yourselves” (Jos. Antt. v. 3, § 12). That a tribe be not destroyed.—Benjamin never quite recovered this crushing blow. Even though it furnished the second judge (Ehud) and the first king (Saul) to Israel, and was advantageously situated, and was often honoured by the residence of Samuel, it became a mere satellite to the more powerful tribe of Judah. Perhaps in the quiescence and permanence derived from the close association with its powerful neighbour we see in part the fulfilment of the blessing in Deuteronomy 33:12.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 21:17
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 text. The problem is, how to prevent Benjamin from becoming extinct; if the survivors are not to die with no descendants to hand on their race and restore the fortunes of the tribe, wives must be found for them; but since the Israelites have sworn not to give them wives, some way out of the difficulty must be devised. With an inconsiderable change in the Hebr., giving the sentence an interrogative force, it is possible to obtain a meaning which suits the context: How shall a remnant be left over for Benjamin, and a tribe not be blotted out from Israel, (Judges 21:18) seeing we cannot give them wives of our daughters? The correction is supported by some mss. of the LXX; a remnant here means a number sufficient to carry on the succession; we, i.e. the Israelites, is emphatic.