Judges 21:18

Verse

But we cannot give them our daughters as wives.” For the Israelites had sworn, “Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite.”

American Standard Version (1901)

Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters, for the children of Israel had sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

Bible in Basic English

Seeing that we may not give them our daughters as wives? For the children of Israel had taken an oath, saying, Cursed is he who gives a wife to Benjamin.

Free Bible Version

But we can't let them have our daughters as wives, since we as the people of Israel swore a sacred oath, saying, ‘Anyone who gives a wife to a Benjamite is cursed!’”

Geneva Bible 1599

Howbeit we may not giue them wiues of our daughters: for the childre of Israel had sworne, saying, Cursed be he that giueth a wise to Beniamin.

King James (Authorized) Version

Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

Translation for Translators

But we cannot allow our daughters to marry these men, because we vowed that Yahweh will curse anyone who gives one of his daughters to become a wife of any man of the tribe of Benjamin.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

We cannot give them wives from our daughters, for the people of Israel had made a promise, 'Cursed be anyone who gives a wife to Benjamin.'”

Noah Webster Bible

But, we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

World English Bible

However, we may not give them wives of our daughters, for the children of Israel had sworn, saying, ‘Cursed is he who gives a wife to Benjamin.’”

Young's Literal Translation

and we — we are not able to give to them wives out of our daughters, for the sons of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed [is] he who is giving a wife to Benjamin.'

Context

Wives for the Benjamites

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.”

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

In this verse, the Israelites are seeking a solution to provide wives for the remaining Benjamite men after a devastating war. They are instructed to go to Jabesh Gilead and kill all the inhabitants, except for the virgin women, whom they are to bring back as wives for the Benjamites. This passage reflects the chaotic and morally troubling times in the period of the Judges, where people acted according to their own understanding rather than seeking God's guidance. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of seeking God's will in all decisions, especially in times of crisis.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Howbeit, we may not give them wives of our daughters,.... Though their case was so very necessitous and desperate: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin, Jdg 21:1 and therefore without the violation of their oath could not give any of their daughters in marriage to them: wherefore some other way must be devised to help them.