What does Judges 21:22 mean?

Judges 21:22 (KJV) states: "And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty."

This verse is part of the Book of Judges, which is the seventh book of the Old Testament. It is a historical narrative that covers the period from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy in Israel. The book portrays a time of apostasy, anarchy, and moral chaos in Israel, where the people repeatedly turned away from God and fell into idolatry and sin. This verse specifically comes at the end of the book, as the Israelites are dealing with the aftermath of a war against the tribe of Benjamin.

The context of Judges 21:22 is a particularly dark and troubling one. The tribe of Benjamin had committed a heinous crime, and the rest of Israel was seeking justice for the wrongs committed. In the war that followed, the tribe of Benjamin was almost wiped out, and the outcome left the other tribes with a dilemma. On the one hand, they had sworn not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites, but on the other hand, they did not want the tribe of Benjamin to become extinct. This verse is part of the plan they devised to allow the Benjamites to take wives for themselves without breaking their oath.

One theme that emerges from this verse is the tension between justice and mercy. The Israelites were faced with a situation where they had to find a way to show mercy to the tribe of Benjamin while still upholding their commitment to justice. This verse captures the complexities of navigating moral dilemmas and making tough decisions, especially in a society that was often marked by moral decline and disobedience to God's laws.

Another theme that can be drawn from this verse is the consequences of sin. The war and its aftermath were the result of the moral and spiritual decline of the Israelites. The Book of Judges repeatedly shows how the people's disobedience to God led to dire consequences. In this particular instance, the sin of the tribe of Benjamin had caused much suffering and loss, and the resolution of the conflict was a reminder of the far-reaching effects of sin and the need for repentance and restoration.

The symbolism in this verse can be seen in the way it reflects the broader narrative of the Book of Judges. The power struggle, the moral confusion, and the quest for justice and order are all reflected in this particular story. The Israelites, in their attempt to resolve the conflict, were seeking to reconcile the demands of the law with the need for compassion and restoration. This symbolizes the larger struggle of the people of Israel to find a balance between obedience and mercy, and to navigate the consequences of their own failings.

In conclusion, Judges 21:22 is a verse that captures the complexities of moral decision-making and the tension between justice and mercy. It is a reflection of the broader themes of the Book of Judges, which portrays a society grappling with the consequences of its own sin and struggling to find a path towards restoration and righteousness. This verse serves as a reminder of the deep moral and spiritual challenges faced by the people of Israel and the timeless relevance of their story for all who seek to navigate the complexities of moral decision-making and the pursuit of justice and righteousness.

Artwork for Judges 21:22

Judges 21:22 - "And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty."

"And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty." - Judges 21:22

Exodus 21:22 - "¶ If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine."

Job 21:22 - "Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high."

Judges 9:22 - "¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,"

Judges 5:22 - "Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones."

Matthew 9:21-22

Judges 21:20 - "Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;"

Judges 21:9 - "For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there."

Matthew 9:21-22

Matthew 9:21-22

Matthew 9:21-22

Matthew 9:21-22

Judges 1:22 - "¶ And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Beth-el: and the LORD was with them."

Judges 16:22 - "Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven."

Judges 18:21 - "So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them."

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."

Judges 9:21 - "And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother."

Genesis 21:22

Genesis 22-21

Judges 21:15 - "And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel."

Judges 21:25 - "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

Judges 21:21 - "And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin."

2 Kings 23:22 - "Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;"

Acts 1:21-22

Judges 21:4 - "And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings."

Judges 7:21 - "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."

Judges 13:21 - "But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD."

Acts 1:21-22

Judges 13:22 - "And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God."