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Judges 21:2

Judges 21:2 in Multiple Translations

So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, lifting up their voices and weeping bitterly.

And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

And the people came to Beth-el, and sat there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore.

And the people came to Beth-el, waiting there till evening before God, and gave themselves up to bitter weeping.

The Israelites went to Bethel and sat there before God until the evening, crying loudly in distress.

And the people came vnto ye house of God and abode there till euen before God, and lift vp their voyces, and wept with great lamentation,

And the people come in to Beth-El, and sit there till the evening before God, and lift up their voice, and weep — a great weeping,

The people came to Bethel and sat there until evening before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept severely.

And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till evening before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept bitterly;

And they all came to the house of God in Silo, and abiding before him till the evening, lifted up their voices, and began to lament and weep, saying:

But now the Israelis went to Bethel and they cried loudly to Yahweh all day, until the sun went down.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 21:2

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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 21:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יָּבֹ֤א הָ/עָם֙ בֵּֽית אֵ֔ל וַ/יֵּ֤שְׁבוּ שָׁם֙ עַד הָ/עֶ֔רֶב לִ/פְנֵ֖י הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַ/יִּשְׂא֣וּ קוֹלָ֔/ם וַ/יִּבְכּ֖וּ בְּכִ֥י גָדֽוֹל
וַ/יָּבֹ֤א bôwʼ H935 Lebo Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הָ/עָם֙ ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms
בֵּֽית Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 Bethel N-proper
אֵ֔ל Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 Bethel N-proper
וַ/יֵּ֤שְׁבוּ yâshab H3427 to dwell Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
שָׁם֙ shâm H8033 there Adv
עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep
הָ/עֶ֔רֶב ʻereb H6153 evening Art | N-ms
לִ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God Art | N-mp
וַ/יִּשְׂא֣וּ nâsâʼ H5375 to lift Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
קוֹלָ֔/ם qôwl H6963 voice N-ms | Suff
וַ/יִּבְכּ֖וּ bâkâh H1058 to weep Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְּכִ֥י Bᵉkîy H1065 weeping N-ms
גָדֽוֹל gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Adj
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 21:2

וַ/יָּבֹ֤א bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
הָ/עָם֙ ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
בֵּֽית Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 "Bethel" N-proper
Bethel, meaning house of God, is a significant location in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. It was a place of worship and sacrifice, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. The name Bethel signifies its importance as a spiritual site, where God was believed to dwell.
Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.
אֵ֔ל Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 "Bethel" N-proper
Bethel, meaning house of God, is a significant location in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. It was a place of worship and sacrifice, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. The name Bethel signifies its importance as a spiritual site, where God was believed to dwell.
Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.
וַ/יֵּ֤שְׁבוּ yâshab H3427 "to dwell" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
שָׁם֙ shâm H8033 "there" Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הָ/עֶ֔רֶב ʻereb H6153 "evening" Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means evening or sunset, like when God created daylight and darkness in Genesis. It refers to the time of day, often marking the end of a workday. This word is used in many verses, including Exodus and Psalms.
Definition: 1) evening, night, sunset 1a) evening, sunset 1b) night
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. See also: Genesis 1:5; Numbers 19:19; Psalms 30:6.
לִ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וַ/יִּשְׂא֣וּ nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
קוֹלָ֔/ם qôwl H6963 "voice" N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
וַ/יִּבְכּ֖וּ bâkâh H1058 "to weep" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To weep means to cry or shed tears, often in grief or sadness. In the Bible, weeping is a common expression of emotion, as seen in the stories of David and Jeremiah, who both wept bitterly in times of sorrow and repentance.
Definition: 1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy) 1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.) 1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep) 1a4) to bewail 1b) (Piel) participle 1b1) lamenting 1b2) bewailing
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, bewail, complain, make lamentation, [idiom] more, mourn, [idiom] sore, [idiom] with tears, weep. See also: Genesis 21:16; 2 Samuel 12:21; Psalms 69:11.
בְּכִ֥י Bᵉkîy H1065 "weeping" N-ms
This Hebrew word means weeping or crying, and is used to describe a strong emotional response, such as overflowing tears or continual sorrow. It is often used in the Bible to describe a time of mourning.
Definition: a weeping, weeping
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: overflowing, [idiom] sore, (continual) weeping, wept. See also: Genesis 45:2; Isaiah 15:5; Psalms 6:9.
גָדֽוֹל gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.

Study Notes — Judges 21:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Judges 20:26 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.
2 Judges 20:18 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.
3 1 Samuel 30:4 So David and the troops with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no strength left to weep.
4 Genesis 27:38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, O my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.
5 Judges 20:23 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.”
6 Joshua 18:1 Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,
7 Judges 21:12 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.
8 Judges 2:4 When the angel of the LORD had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept.

Judges 21:2 Summary

In this verse, the people of Israel are sitting before God, crying out to Him in sorrow and desperation, because they have realized that one of their tribes is missing. They are seeking God's help and guidance, and expressing their repentance, similar to what we see in Psalms 32:5. This shows us the importance of seeking God's presence and guidance in our lives, especially in times of need or crisis (as in Jeremiah 33:3), and being willing to be honest with Him about our sorrow and sin. By doing so, we can, like the Israelites, find comfort and direction in our relationship with God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the people to go to Bethel and weep before God?

The people went to Bethel because they had realized that one of the tribes of Israel was missing, and they were seeking God's presence and guidance, as seen in Judges 21:2, similar to how the Israelites sought God in times of need, as in Exodus 33:7-11.

Why were the people lifting up their voices and weeping bitterly?

The people were weeping because they had sworn an oath not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites, which led to a crisis, and they were now seeking God's help and direction, as in Judges 21:1, and expressing their sorrow and repentance, similar to the Psalmist in Psalms 51:17.

What can we learn from the people's actions in this verse?

We can learn the importance of seeking God's presence and guidance in times of need, as in Judges 21:2, and being willing to express our sorrow and repentance, as in Psalms 38:18, and also the value of corporate worship and prayer, as seen in Acts 2:42-47.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in Judges?

This verse is a pivotal moment in the story, as it shows the people's recognition of their sin and their desire to seek God's help, which is a theme throughout the book of Judges, as in Judges 2:10-23, and is also seen in the larger narrative of the Bible, as in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some times in my life when I have felt a deep sense of sorrow or loss, and how did I respond to God in those moments?
  2. How can I, like the people in this verse, create space to seek God's presence and guidance in my daily life?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I need to seek God's help and direction, and how can I, like the Israelites, express my sorrow and repentance?
  4. How can I balance my desire for God's guidance with my own desires and plans, and what role should prayer and worship play in this process?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 21:2

And the people came to the house of God,.... Not to the city Bethel, as the Targum, Septuagint, and other versions, but to Shiloh, where were the tabernacle and ark; and this is to be understood of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 21:2

And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; The people ... lifted up their voices, and wept.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 21:2

The people came to the house of God; partly to mourn for the common loss, and partly to ask counsel from God about the repairing of it.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 21:2

Judges 21:2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;Ver. 2. And the people came to the house of God.] That is, To Shiloh, for that was now their Bethel, there to praise God for their recent ctory; and to seek direction what to do, and how to wind out of that labyrinth whereinto they had inconsiderately cast themselves. “ … qui non moderabitur irae, Infectum velit esse dolor quod suaserit et mens. ” - Horat. And abode there till even before God.] To the shame of such as, held but a while longer than ordinary at holy meetings, cry out, as Malachi 1:13, "Behold, what a weariness it is! and snuff." They sit in the stocks when they are at prayers, and come out of the church, when the tedious sermon runs somewhat beyond the hour, like prisoners out of a jail. And lifted up their voices, and wept sore.] Notwithstanding their recent victory, which now they met to praise God for, Adeo nihil est ex omni parte beatum. It is seldom seen that God alloweth men here a perfect contentment. Something they must have to complain of, that they may not set up their rest on this side heaven.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 21:2

(2) To the house of God.—Rather, to Bethel, as in Judges 20:18; Judges 20:27. Wept sore.—As after their defeat (Judges 20:26); but this time they were remorseful for the fate of those whom they were then pledged to destroy.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 21:2

Verse 2. The people came to the house of God] Literally, the people came בית־אל to Bethel; this is considered as the name of a place by the Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, and Septuagint. And wept sore] Their revenge was satisfied, and now reflection brings them to contrition for what they had done.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 21:2

2. came to Beth-el] The characteristics of the B narrative reappear in this chapter: the resort to Beth-el till even cf. Judges 20:18; Judges 20:26; the weeping, intensified each time, cf. Judges 20:23; Judges 20:26; the offering of sacrifices Judges 21:4 cf. Judges 20:26; the post-exilic congregation (Judges 21:10; Judges 21:13; Judges 21:16), and the assembly (Judges 21:5; Judges 21:8) cf. Judges 20:1 n.; the artificial numbers Judges 21:10. The Vulgate renders ‘Veneruntque omnes ad domum Dei, in Silo,’ following the theory noticed in Judges 20:18 n.

Barnes' Notes on Judges 21:2

To the house of God - It should be, “to Bethel.” See Judges 20:18.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 21:2

2. House of God — Rather, Beth-el; see notes on Judges 20:18; Judges 20:26-27. Abode… before God — In solemn penitence and humiliation before the ark of the covenant which was there.

Sermons on Judges 21:2

SermonDescription
Flavius Josephus From the Death of Moses to the Death of Eli by Flavius Josephus Flavius Josephus recounts the period after the death of Joshua, where the Israelites faced challenges due to their disobedience and neglect of God's laws. The tribe of Benjamin fac
Alan Redpath Loss and Recovery of Spiritual Power by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the speaker addresses the current state of the church and the need for repentance and revival. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's work and not being
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 27:18-29 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and Esau from the Bible. He emphasizes that God had already blessed Jacob, but Jacob still sought his father's blessing. J

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