Judges 21:16
Judges 21:16 in Multiple Translations
Then the elders of the congregation said, “What should we do about wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?”
¶ 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?
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?
Then the responsible men of the meeting said, What are we to do about wives for the rest of them, seeing that the women of Benjamin are dead?
The elders of the assembly asked, “What shall we do to supply the remaining wives because all the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?”
Therefore the Elders of the Congregation said, How shall we doe for wiues to the remnant? for the women of Beniamin are destroyed.
And the elders of the company say, 'What do we do to the remnant for wives — for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin?'
Then the elders of the congregation said, “How shall we provide wives for those who remain, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?”
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?
And the ancients said: What shall we do with the rest, that have not received wives? for all the women in Benjamin are dead.
The Israeli leaders said, “We have killed all the married women of the tribe of Benjamin. Where can we get women to be wives of the men who are still alive?
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 21:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 21:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּֽאמְר֨וּ
זִקְנֵ֣י
הָ/עֵדָ֔ה
מַה
נַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
לַ/נּוֹתָרִ֖ים
לְ/נָשִׁ֑ים
כִּֽי
נִשְׁמְדָ֥ה
מִ/בִּנְיָמִ֖ן
אִשָּֽׁה
וַ/יֹּֽאמְר֨וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
זִקְנֵ֣י
zâqên
H2205
old
Adj
הָ/עֵדָ֔ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
congregation
Art | N-fs
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
נַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
לַ/נּוֹתָרִ֖ים
yâthar
H3498
to remain
Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-c
לְ/נָשִׁ֑ים
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Prep | N-fp
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
נִשְׁמְדָ֥ה
shâmad
H8045
to destroy
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
מִ/בִּנְיָמִ֖ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
Benjamin
Prep | N-proper
אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 21:16
וַ/יֹּֽאמְר֨וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
זִקְנֵ֣י
zâqên
H2205
"old"
Adj
This Hebrew word means old or elderly, as in the case of the elderly men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:11. It can also refer to those in positions of authority, like the elders who helped Moses in Exodus 24:1. The term is used to describe respect and leadership.
Definition: : old 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority) Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. See also: Genesis 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:14; Psalms 105:22.
הָ/עֵדָ֔ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
"congregation"
Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.
Definition: congregation, gathering
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare H5713 (עֵדָה). See also: Exodus 12:3; Numbers 20:1; Psalms 1:5.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
נַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לַ/נּוֹתָרִ֖ים
yâthar
H3498
"to remain"
Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-c
The Hebrew word 'yâthar' means to remain or be left, and can also mean to excel or have more than enough, often translated as 'remain' or 'preserve'.
Definition: 1) to be left over, remain, remain over, leave 1a) (Qal) remainder (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be left over, remain over, be left behind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to leave over, leave 1c2) to save over, preserve alive 1c3) to excel, show pre-eminence 1c4) to show excess, have more than enough, have an excess
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: excel, leave (a remnant), left behind, too much, make plenteous, preserve, (be, let) remain(-der, -ing, -nant), reserve, residue, rest. See also: Genesis 30:36; 2 Samuel 9:1; Psalms 79:11.
לְ/נָשִׁ֑ים
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Prep | N-fp
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
נִשְׁמְדָ֥ה
shâmad
H8045
"to destroy"
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.
מִ/בִּנְיָמִ֖ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
"Benjamin"
Prep | N-proper
Benjamin means son of the right hand, referring to the youngest son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him. The term is first used in Genesis 35:18. Benjamin was a brother of Joseph and a half-brother of Reuben and others.
Definition: § Benjamin = "son of the right hand" a gate in Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 160 OT verses. KJV: Benjamin. See also: Genesis 35:18; 1 Samuel 9:21; Psalms 68:28.
אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
Study Notes — Judges 21:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Judges 21:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 21:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 21:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 21:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 21:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 21:16
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 21:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 21:16
Context — Wives for the Benjamites
14And at that time the Benjamites returned and were given the women who were spared from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough women for all of them.
15The people grieved for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a void in the tribes of Israel.
16Then the elders of the congregation said, “What should we do about wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?”
17They added, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out. 18But we cannot give them our daughters as wives.” For the Israelites had sworn, “Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite.”Judges 21:16 Summary
This verse shows that the elders of the congregation were worried about the Benjamites because they didn't have any wives, since the women of Benjamin had been destroyed. They wanted to find a way to help them, but they had also made a promise not to give their daughters to the Benjamites, as mentioned in Judges 21:18. This situation reminds us of the importance of showing kindness and compassion to others, as Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-46, and of being careful with the promises we make, as warned in Numbers 30:2 and Ecclesiastes 5:4-5. By considering the elders' concern for the Benjamites, we can learn about the value of community and the need to balance our actions with God's laws, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:28-29 and Romans 13:8-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the elders of the congregation concerned about finding wives for the remaining Benjamites?
The elders were concerned because the women of Benjamin had been destroyed, and they wanted to ensure the tribe's survival, as seen in Judges 21:17, where they mention the need for heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out, similar to God's concern for the preservation of families in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.
What was the problem with giving the Benjamites wives from other Israelite tribes?
The problem was that the Israelites had sworn, 'Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite', as stated in Judges 21:18, which created a dilemma for the elders trying to find a solution, highlighting the complexity of human vows and God's laws, as discussed in Numbers 30:2 and Ecclesiastes 5:4-5.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of the Israelites and their relationship with God?
This verse is part of the story of the Israelites' struggle to follow God's laws and maintain their covenant with Him, as seen in Judges 21:15, where the people grieve for Benjamin because the Lord had made a void in the tribes of Israel, reminiscent of God's warnings in Leviticus 26:33 and Deuteronomy 28:63.
What can we learn from the elders' concern for the Benjamites' well-being?
We can learn about the importance of compassion, community, and the value of human life, as emphasized in Proverbs 24:23-25 and Jeremiah 22:3, which encourages us to act with kindness and justice towards others, reflecting God's character, as seen in Psalm 103:8 and Matthew 25:31-46.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways we can show compassion and concern for those in our community who are struggling, just like the elders did for the Benjamites?
- How can we balance our desire to follow God's laws with the need to show mercy and kindness to others, as seen in this verse and in other scriptures like Matthew 9:13 and James 2:13?
- What are some potential consequences of making vows or promises that may not align with God's will, as the Israelites did in this story, and how can we learn from their experience, as warned in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 and Matthew 5:33-37?
- How can we work to preserve and protect the unity and integrity of our communities, just like the elders tried to do for the tribe of Benjamin, as encouraged in Psalm 133:1 and Ephesians 4:3?
- What does this verse reveal about God's heart for His people and His desire for their well-being, as seen in other scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 21:16
Then the elders of the congregation said.... This being the case, that there were not wives enough for them, they were obliged to consult again, and consider of another expedient to provide for them;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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? How shall we do for wives for them that remain.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 21:16
For them that remain; for the two hundred who are yet unprovided of wives.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 21:16
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?Ver. 16. How shall we do for wives? &c.] Now all their care was for a recruit for Benjamin. A public person should be public spirited; and as Cato did, Toti genitum se credere genti. Selfish people are like those envious Athenians, who sacrificed for none but themselves and their neighbours of Chios.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 21:16
(16) How shall we do . . .?—They want to keep their vow in the letter, while they break it in the spirit. The sense of the binding nature of the “ban” was intensely strong (Exodus 20:7; Ezekiel 17:18-19), but, as is so often the case among rude and ignorant people, they fancied that it was sufficient to keep it literally, while in effect they violated it. Similarly in Herodotus (iv. 154), Themison having sworn to throw Phronima into the sea—the intention having been that she should be drowned—feels himself bound to throw her into the sea, but has her drawn out of it again. Their want of moral enlightenment revealed itself in this way, and still more in having ever taken this horrible oath, which involved the butchery of innocent men, and of still more innocent women and children. In point of fact, the cherem often broke down under the strain which it placed on men’s best feelings (1 Samuel 14:45) as well as on their lower temptations. The guilt of breaking a guilty vow is only the original guilt of ever having made it. What the Israelites should have done was not to bathe their hands in more rivers of fraternal blood, but to pray to God to forgive the brutal vehemence which disgraced a cause originally righteous, and to have allowed the remnant of the Benjamites to intermarry with them once more. As it was, they were led by ignorance and rashness into several vows which could not be fulfilled without horrible cruelty and bloodshed, and the fulfilment of which they after all casuistically evaded, and that at the cost of still more bloodshed. As all these events took place under the guidance of Phinehas, they give us a high estimate indeed of the zeal which was his noblest characteristic (Psalms 106:30), yet a very low estimate of his state of spiritual insight; and clearly to such a man the fulfilment of Jephthah’s cherem by sacrificing his daughter (see Note on Judges 11:39) would have seemed as nothing compared to the extermination of tribes and of cities, involving the shedding of rivers of innocent blood. But why should we suppose that the grandson of Aaron, in such times as these—when all was anarchy, idolatry, and restlessness, against which he either did not strive or strove most ineffectually—should stand on so much higher a level than his schismatical and semi-idolatrous cousin, the wandering grandson of Moses?
Cambridge Bible on Judges 21:16
16. the elders of the congregation] See on Judges 20:1, and cf. Leviticus 4:15. That this half of the verse does not belong to the old story is further shewn by the reference to wives for the Benjamites who had not secured any of the 400 virgins from Jabesh; like the last words of Jdg 21:14; Judges 21:16 a is a harmonizing addition. 16b may well continue Judges 21:15 and belong to A.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 21:16
16. Wives for them that remain — Two hundred were yet destitute of wives, for the virgins of Jabesh numbered but four hundred, and the remnant of Benjamin were six hundred.