What does Judges 21:2 mean?
"And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;" - Judges 21:2
The Bible verse Judges 21:2 in the King James Version reads, "And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore."
This verse comes at the end of the book of Judges, a tumultuous time in Israel's history characterized by cycles of sin, rebellion, and redemption. The book of Judges recounts the story of Israel's transition from a loose confederation of tribes to a monarchy under King Saul and eventually King David. Throughout the book, the people of Israel continually turn away from God and face the consequences of their disobedience, only to be delivered by judges whom God raises up to lead and rescue them.
In the context of the verse, the people of Israel have just experienced a devastating civil war that nearly wiped out the tribe of Benjamin after they committed a heinous crime. In an attempt to restore the tribe's population, the other tribes of Israel had given their daughters in marriage to the remaining Benjamites. However, there were not enough women to go around, and the people of Israel were at a loss for how to rectify this situation.
The people come together at the house of God, seeking wisdom and guidance from the Lord. This action speaks to their desire to seek God's will and righteousness in the midst of a complex and damaging situation. Despite their own failings and misguided attempts to resolve the issue, they recognize the need to humble themselves before God and seek His intervention.
The act of coming to the house of God and abiding there until evening signifies the people's commitment to seeking God's presence and direction. Their tears and lamentation reflect the depth of their distress and the earnestness of their prayers. This demonstrates their recognition of their dependence on God and their acknowledgment of their own inadequacy to solve their problems.
The house of God symbolizes a place of refuge, worship, and seeking of divine counsel. The people's decision to come to this location echoes their desire to seek God's heart and align themselves with His intentions. It also serves as a reminder that God's presence and guidance are essential in times of crisis and confusion.
The verse also underscores the importance of community and unity among God's people. Despite the divisions and conflicts that had plagued them, the Israelites come together as a community to collectively seek God's intervention. This collective action reflects an understanding of the need for solidarity and mutual support in the face of adversity.
The themes of repentance, humility, and dependence on God are evident in this verse. The people of Israel have reached a point of desperation and brokenness, recognizing the need for God's intervention in their lives. Their earnest prayers and tears demonstrate a sincere desire for reconciliation with God and a willingness to submit to His will.
Ultimately, Judges 21:2 serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of seeking God's presence and guidance in times of crisis. The verse underscores the importance of humility, repentance, and community in approaching God, and it highlights the need for reliance on His wisdom and righteousness. It also serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His people and providing direction and comfort in their time of need.
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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;"
"And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;" - Judges 21:2
Deuteronomy 21:2 - "Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:"
Judges 2:21 - "I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:"
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."
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."
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."
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 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 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."
Judges 21:6 - "And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day."
Judges 21:13 - "And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them."
"Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:" - Deuteronomy 21:2
2 Chronicles 26:21 - "And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land."
"I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:" - Judges 2:21
Judges 2:16 - "¶ Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them."
Judges 19:21 - "So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink."
Judges 21:16 - "Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
Judges 21:3 - "And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?"
Judges 1:21 - "And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day."
Judges 20:21 - "And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men."
Judges 2:31
Judges 21:1 - "Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife."
Judges 21:8 - "¶ And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly."
Judges 5:21 - "The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength."