What does Judges 21:3 mean?
"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 21:3
The Bible verse Judges 21:3 from the King James Version (KJV) states, "And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be today one tribe lacking in Israel?" This verse comes from the Book of Judges, which is the seventh book of the Old Testament and is considered a historical account of the Israelites after the death of Joshua and before the appointment of the first king, Saul.
To truly understand the meaning and commentary of this verse, it is important to delve into its context within the larger narrative of the Book of Judges. The book primarily focuses on the cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance of the Israelites. The verse in question comes from the final chapter of the book, where the Israelites are faced with a grave situation following a civil war between the tribes of Israel and the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin.
The verse is a reflection of the distress and desperation of the Israelites as they grapple with the devastating consequences of the civil war and the potential extinction of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The plea to the LORD God of Israel signifies the profound anguish and confusion of the Israelites as they question why such a tragedy has befallen them. It serves as a poignant expression of their deep sense of loss, sorrow, and searching for answers in the midst of their despair.
The theme of divine providence and the sovereignty of God is evident in this verse. The Israelites, in their distress, turn to the Lord for guidance and understanding, acknowledging His authority over their circumstances. Despite their confusion and sorrow, they seek counsel from the divine, recognizing that God alone holds the answers to their predicament. This reflects the enduring faith and reliance on God that is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, highlighting the unwavering belief in His ultimate control over all things.
Furthermore, the verse also underscores the theme of unity and the interconnectedness of the tribes of Israel. The concern over the potential extinction of one tribe is indicative of the deep sense of kinship and communal identity among the Israelites. The unity of the tribes is a central theme in the Book of Judges, as the account repeatedly emphasizes the importance of solidarity and cooperation among the people of Israel.
Symbolically, the plea to the LORD God of Israel can be seen as a representation of the Israelites' spiritual renewal and repentance. Throughout the Book of Judges, the Israelites are depicted as continuously falling into apostasy and disobedience, leading to divine judgment and subsequent oppression by their enemies. The verse can be interpreted as a turning point in their collective consciousness, as they seek divine intervention and reconciliation with God, recognizing their need for spiritual restoration and renewal.
In conclusion, Judges 21:3 from the King James Version of the Bible encapsulates the deep emotional and spiritual turmoil of the Israelites in the face of a grave crisis. It delves into themes of divine providence, unity, and spiritual renewal, while also serving as a profound representation of the enduring faith and reliance on God. The verse holds significant symbolic and thematic significance within the broader narrative of the Book of Judges, offering profound insights into the spiritual and communal journey of the Israelites.
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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?"
"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 21:3
"And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:" - Judges 3:21
Judges 3:31
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."
Zephaniah 3:3 - "Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow."
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 21:2 - "And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;"
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."
Judges 10:3 - "¶ And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years."
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 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 3:6 - "And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods."
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."
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 3:11 - "And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died."
Judges 3:14 - "So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years."