Judges 21:2

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

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

Free Bible Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

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,

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

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

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then the people went to Bethel and sat there before God until the evening, and with loud voices they wept bitterly.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

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,

Context

Wives for the Benjamites

¹Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”²So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, lifting up their voices and weeping bitterly.³“Why, O LORD God of Israel,” they cried out, “has this happened in Israel? Today in Israel one tribe is missing!”

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

In this verse, the Israelites are deeply grieved by the near-extinction of the tribe of Benjamin due to their civil war with the other tribes. They express their sorrow and regret over the consequences of their actions, realizing the severity of the situation. This verse reflects the brokenness and consequences of sin, as well as the importance of seeking reconciliation and restoration in times of division and conflict. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance, forgiveness, and unity within the community of believers.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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 the army after they had utterly destroyed the Benjaminites: hence we read of the camp in Shiloh, Jdg 21:12, here they came not so much to rejoice, and be glad, and to return thanks for the victory they had at last obtained, as to lament the unhappy case of the tribe of Benjamin, and to have counsel and advice, and consider of ways and means to repair their loss: and abode there till even before God; fasting and praying, instead of feasting and rejoicing: and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; not so much, or at least not only for the 40,000 Israelites that were slain, but for the tribe of Benjamin, in danger of being lost, as follows.