Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When their fathers or brothers complain to us, we will say to them, ‘Do us the favor of helping them, because we did not get wives for them during the war. You will not be guilty of breaking your oath because you did not give your daughters to them.’” New Living Translation And when their fathers and brothers come to us in protest, we will tell them, ‘Please be sympathetic. Let them have your daughters, for we didn’t find wives for all of them when we destroyed Jabesh-gilead. And you are not guilty of breaking the vow since you did not actually give your daughters to them in marriage.’” English Standard Version And when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, we will say to them, ‘Grant them graciously to us, because we did not take for each man of them his wife in battle, neither did you give them to them, else you would now be guilty.’” Berean Standard Bible When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we will tell them, ‘Do us a favor by helping them, since we did not get wives for each of them in the war. Since you did not actually give them your daughters, you have no guilt.’” King James Bible 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. New King James Version Then it shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to us to complain, that we will say to them, ‘Be kind to them for our sakes, because we did not take a wife for any of them in the war; for it is not as though you have given the women to them at this time, making yourselves guilty of your oath.’ ” New American Standard Bible And when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, we shall say to them, ‘Give them to us voluntarily, because we did not take for each man of Benjamin a wife in battle, nor did you give them to them, otherwise you would now be guilty.’” NASB 1995 “It shall come about, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, that we shall say to them, ‘Give them to us voluntarily, because we did not take for each man of Benjamin a wife in battle, nor did you give them to them, else you would now be guilty.’” NASB 1977 “And it shall come about, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, that we shall say to them, ‘Give them to us voluntarily, because we did not take for each man of Benjamin a wife in battle, nor did you give them to them, else you would now be guilty.’” Legacy Standard Bible And it will be when their fathers or their brothers come to contend with us, that we shall say to them, ‘Be gracious to us concerning them because we did not take for each man of Benjamin a wife in the battle, and you did not give your daughters to them; otherwise you would now be guilty.’” Amplified Bible When their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, we shall say to them, ‘Give them to us voluntarily, because we did not take a wife for each man of Benjamin in battle, nor did you give wives to them, for that would have made you guilty [of breaking your oath].’” Christian Standard Bible When their fathers or brothers come to us and protest, we will tell them, ‘Show favor to them, since we did not get enough wives for each of them in the battle. You didn’t actually give the women to them, so you are not guilty of breaking your oath.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible When their fathers or brothers come to us and protest, we will tell them, ‘Show favor to them, since we did not get enough wives for each of them in the battle. You didn’t actually give the women to them, so you are not guilty of breaking your oath.’” American Standard Version And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come to complain unto us, that we will say unto them, Grant them graciously unto us, because we took not for each man of them his wife in battle, neither did ye give them unto them, else would ye now be guilty. Contemporary English Version If the fathers or brothers of these women complain about this, we'll say, "Be kind enough to let those men keep your daughter. After all, we couldn't get enough wives for all the men of Benjamin in the battle at Jabesh. And because you didn't give them permission to marry your daughters, you won't be under the curse we earlier agreed on." English Revised Version And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come to complain unto us, that we will say unto them, Grant them graciously unto us: because we took not for each man of them his wife in battle: neither did ye give them unto them; else would ye now be guilty. GOD'S WORD® Translation When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we'll tell them, 'Have pity on them, since we didn't provide a wife for each man in the battle. You won't be guilty because you didn't give them the wives yourselves.'" Good News Translation If their fathers or brothers come to you and protest, you can tell them, 'Please let us keep them, because we did not take them from you in battle to be our wives. And since you did not give them to us, you are not guilty of breaking your promise.'" International Standard Version If their fathers or brothers come complaining to us, we'll tell them 'Be generous! Give them to us voluntarily, because we didn't take anyone to be a wife for the men of the tribe of Benjamin as a result of the battle. And you haven't incurred guilt by giving your daughters to them.'" Majority Standard Bible When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we will tell them, ?Do us a favor by helping them, since we did not get wives for each of them in the war. Since you did not actually give them your daughters, you have no guilt.?? NET Bible When their fathers or brothers come and protest to us, we'll say to them, "Do us a favor and let them be, for we could not get each one a wife through battle. Don't worry about breaking your oath! You would only be guilty if you had voluntarily given them wives.'" New Heart English Bible It shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, that we will say to them, 'Grant them graciously to us, because we didn't take wives for each man in battle, neither did you give them to them, otherwise you would now be guilty.'" Webster's Bible Translation And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come to us to complain, that we will say to them, Be favorable to them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give to them at this time, that ye should be guilty. World English Bible It shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, that we will say to them, ‘Grant them graciously to us, because we didn’t take for each man his wife in battle, neither did you give them to them; otherwise you would now be guilty.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand it has been, when their fathers or their brothers come in to plead to us, that we have said to them, Favor us [by] them, for we have not each taken his wife in battle, for you have not given [wives] to them at this time, [so] you are [not] guilty.” Young's Literal Translation and it hath been, when their fathers or their brethren come in to plead unto us, that we have said unto them, Favour us by them, for we have not taken to each his wife in battle, for ye -- ye have not given to them at this time that ye are guilty.' Smith's Literal Translation And it was when their fathers or brothers shall come to contend against us, and we said to them, Be merciful to us with them, because we took not a man his wife in the battle; for ye gave not to them according to the time, ye shall transgress. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when their fathers and their brethren shall come, and shall begin to complain against you, and to chide, we will say to them: Have pity on them for they took them not away as by the right of war or conquest, but when they asked to have them, you gave them not, and the fault was committed on your part. Catholic Public Domain Version And when their fathers and brothers arrive, and they begin to complain against you and to argue, we will say to them: ‘Take pity on them. For they have not seized them by right of war or conquest. Instead, begging to receive them, you did not give them, and so the sin was on your part.’ ” New American Bible When their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, we shall say to them, ‘Release them to us as a kindness, since we did not take a woman for every man in battle. Nor did you yourselves give your daughters to them, thus incurring guilt.’ ” New Revised Standard Version Then if their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, we will say to them, ‘Be generous and allow us to have them; because we did not capture in battle a wife for each man. But neither did you incur guilt by giving your daughters to them.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if their parents or their brothers should come to complain before us, we will say to them, Have compassion upon them, because they did not take each man his wife with him in the war; and it is not you who gave them to them, that you should be guilty. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if their fathers or their brothers have come to judge before us, we will say to them: “Show compassion upon them, because they did not take each man his wife into war; it was not you who gave these to them, that you would sin” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come to strive with us, that we will say unto them: Grant them graciously unto us; because we took not for each man of them his wife in battle; neither did ye give them unto them, that ye should now be guilty.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And it shall come to pass, when their fathers or their brethren come to dispute with us, that we will say to them, Grant them freely to us, for we have not taken every man his wife in the battle: because ye did not give to them according to the occasion, ye transgressed. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Wives for the Benjamites…21and watch. When you see the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, each of you is to come out of the vineyards, catch for himself a wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. 22 When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we will tell them, ‘Do us a favor by helping them, since we did not get wives for each of them in the war. Since you did not actually give them your daughters, you have no guilt.’” 23The Benjamites did as instructed and carried away the number of women they needed from the dancers they caught. They went back to their own inheritance, rebuilt their cities, and settled in them.… Cross References Deuteronomy 25:5-10 When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ... Genesis 24:3-4 and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.” Numbers 36:6-9 This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father. / No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. / Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers. ... Ruth 4:5-10 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” / Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. ... 1 Samuel 25:39-42 On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ... 2 Samuel 12:11-12 This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight. / You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” 1 Kings 11:1-3 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. Ezra 9:12 Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’ Nehemiah 13:25-27 I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! / Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. / Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” Matthew 22:24-28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. ... Mark 12:19-23 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. / Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise. ... Luke 20:28-33 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless. / Then the second ... Romans 7:2-3 For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man. 1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Treasury of Scripture And it shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to us to complain, that we will say to them, Be favorable to them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for you did not give to them at this time, that you should be guilty. Be favourable unto them. Philemon 1:9-12 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ… each man Judges 21:14 And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 7:13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; give unto Judges 21:1,7,18 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife… Proverbs 20:25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry. Jump to Previous Battle Benjamin Complain Reserved Sakes Strive Time War WifeJump to Next Battle Benjamin Complain Reserved Sakes Strive Time War WifeJudges 21 1. The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin8. By the destruction of Jabesh Gilead they provide them four hundred wives. 16. They advise the remainder to surprise the virgins that danced at Shiloh When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain This phrase reflects the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, where fathers and brothers held significant authority over family matters, including marriage. The context is the aftermath of the civil war between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin, where the other tribes had sworn not to give their daughters to Benjamites as wives (Judges 21:1). The leaders anticipated objections from the families of the women taken from Shiloh, highlighting the communal and familial nature of decision-making in Israelite culture. we will tell them, ‘Do us a favor by helping them since we did not get wives for each of them in the war Since you did not actually give them your daughters you have no guilt.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe collective tribes of Israel, who are dealing with the aftermath of a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. 2. The Benjamites The tribe of Benjamin, nearly wiped out due to the conflict with the other Israelite tribes. 3. The Fathers and Brothers The family members of the women taken as wives for the Benjamites, who might object to the arrangement. 4. Shiloh The place where the Israelites gathered to seek the Lord's guidance and where the annual festival took place. 5. The Oath The vow made by the Israelites not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites, which complicates the resolution of the conflict. Teaching Points The Complexity of Human SolutionsHuman solutions to problems can be complex and imperfect, as seen in the Israelites' attempt to resolve the issue with the Benjamites while adhering to their oath. The Importance of Community Restoration The Israelites' actions highlight the importance of restoring and maintaining community, even after severe conflict. Balancing Justice and Mercy The account illustrates the tension between justice (upholding the oath) and mercy (ensuring the survival of the Benjamites). The Role of Leadership in Conflict Resolution Effective leadership is crucial in navigating complex moral and ethical dilemmas, as demonstrated by the leaders of Israel. The Consequences of Rash Vows The account serves as a cautionary tale about making rash vows and the potential consequences that follow.(22) Be favourable unto them for our sakes.--Rather, Present them (otham, masc., as in Judges 21:12) to us; or (as in the margin), Gratify us in them. The verse is somewhat obscure, but its general drift is a promise to pacify the parents of the damsels, by showing them that thus they did not violate the cherem, and that the cause was pressing. Perhaps they would be more readily consoled, because the land of these six hundred Benjamites must now have been far more than was necessary for their wants. They had become possessors of the lot of the whole tribe. Perhaps the reading should be, Gratify us as regards these damsels, for they (the Benjamites) have not received every man his wife through the war. At this time.--Rather, perhaps, in that case (i.e., "if you had given them your daughters in marriage, ye would be guilty"). We are left to assume that the appeal of the elders to the parents whose two hundred daughters were thus seized was sufficient to pacify them. Verse 22. - Be favourable unto them for our sakes. Rather, Grant us them as a favour, the masculine them referring to the daughters of Shiloh, as in ver. 12, and the verb grant a favour being followed by a double accusative. We reserved not to each man his wife, etc. These words are somewhat difficult. If we may insert the word to, as the A.V. does, before each man (for it is wanting in the Hebrew), the sense is good. The Israelites acknowledge their own fault in not reserving women enough to be wives to the Benjamites, and ask the fathers and brothers of the daughters of Shiloh to do them a favour by enabling them to repair their fault. But it is rather a strain upon the words. The omission of the to is not natural in such a phrase (Numbers 26:54 is hardly to the point, nor is Genesis 41:12, where the to had been expressed before the us), and reserved is a forced interpretation of the verb. If the words were spoken by the Benjamites, all would be plain and easy: "We received not each man his wife in the war." Hence some put the speech into the mouth of Benjamin, as though the Israelites meant, We will say in your names, in your persons, as your attorneys, so to speak, "Grant them to us," etc. But this is rather forced. Others, therefore, follow the Peschito, and read, "because THEY received not each man his wife," etc., which makes very good sense, but has not MS. authority. Ye did not give, etc., i.e. you need not fear the guilt of the broken oath, because you did not give your daughters, so as to violate the oath (ver. 7), but they were taken from you by force. The A.V. gives the probable meaning of the passage, though it is somewhat obscure.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whenכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction their fathers אֲבוֹתָם֩ (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1: Father or א֨וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction Strong's 176: Desire, if brothers אֲחֵיהֶ֜ם (’ă·ḥê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 251: A brother, ) come יָבֹ֣אוּ (yā·ḇō·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to us אֵלֵ֗ינוּ (’ê·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to to complain, לָרִ֣יב ׀ (lā·rîḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend we will tell them, וְאָמַ֤רְנוּ (wə·’ā·mar·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Do us a favor חָנּ֣וּנוּ (ḥān·nū·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | first person common plural Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore by [helping] them, אוֹתָ֔ם (’ō·w·ṯām) Direct object marker | third person masculine plural Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case since כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction we did not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no get לָקַ֛חְנוּ (lā·qaḥ·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 3947: To take wives אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ (’iš·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female for each of them אִ֥ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person in the war. בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (bam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war Since כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you אַתֶּ֛ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you did not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no actually כָּעֵ֥ת (kā·‘êṯ) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6256: Time, now, when give נְתַתֶּ֥ם (nə·ṯat·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set them [your daughters], לָהֶ֖ם (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 0: 0 you have no guilt.?? תֶּאְשָֽׁמוּ׃ (te’·šā·mū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 816: To be guilty, to be punished, perish Links Judges 21:22 NIVJudges 21:22 NLT Judges 21:22 ESV Judges 21:22 NASB Judges 21:22 KJV Judges 21:22 BibleApps.com Judges 21:22 Biblia Paralela Judges 21:22 Chinese Bible Judges 21:22 French Bible Judges 21:22 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 21:22 It shall be when their fathers (Jd Judg. 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