What is the meaning of Judges 21:5? The Israelites asked “Then the Israelites said,” (Judges 21:5) • Coming off the devastating civil war against Benjamin, the survivors pause to reassess. • Their question shows that, even in grief, they remain a covenant community accountable to one another (Judges 20:1; Deuteronomy 1:13-17). • The verb “asked” signals an official inquiry, not casual curiosity—similar to how Joshua assembled the people at Shechem for covenant renewal (Joshua 24:1). Who among all the tribes of Israel • The search is comprehensive; every tribe is expected to answer the national call. • Israel’s unity is at risk, as seen earlier when Meroz was cursed for sitting out the fight (Judges 5:23). • Their identity is corporate: “all the congregation of the LORD” (Numbers 16:3). No tribe may detach itself from communal obedience. Did not come to the assembly before the LORD? • “Assembly” (Judges 20:1-2) refers to the gathering at Mizpah, where the Ark or at least the priestly oversight represents God’s presence. • Attendance is more than civic duty; it is worship. Compare the thrice-yearly pilgrimage requirement (Deuteronomy 16:16). • Neglecting an assembly “before the LORD” equates to refusing divine summons (1 Samuel 10:17-19). For they had taken a solemn oath • Earlier, every fighting man “swore” (Judges 21:1). An oath binds under God’s authority (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23). • Breaking an oath profanes His name (Leviticus 19:12). • Israel recognizes that covenant words carry life-and-death weight (Joshua 9:19; 1 Samuel 14:24). Anyone who failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah • “Come up” evokes pilgrimage language; Mizpah temporarily functions as a national sanctuary (Genesis 31:49; Judges 11:11). • Participation meant siding with righteousness against Benjamin’s atrocity (Judges 19). Absence implied complicity or apathy (cf. Numbers 32:23). Would surely be put to death • The phrase matches covenant sanctions elsewhere (Exodus 22:19; Deuteronomy 17:12). • Capital judgment underscores the holiness of communal obedience and deters rebellion (Deuteronomy 13:12-15). • Tragically, this vow drives the slaughter of Jabesh-gilead (Judges 21:8-11), illustrating how even lawful oaths, when taken rashly, can multiply sorrow (1 Samuel 14:45). summary Judges 21:5 shows Israel wrestling with covenant responsibility after a civil war. The people conduct a nationwide audit because everyone had vowed, before God, to attend the Mizpah assembly. Failure to appear was treason against both nation and Lord, warranting death. The verse highlights the seriousness of corporate obedience, the binding nature of spoken vows, and the sobering consequences that follow when zeal for justice outpaces wisdom and grace. |
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