Judges 21:17 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel."

This verse comes at the end of the book of Judges, which recounts the tumultuous period in Israel's history between the time of Joshua's death and the establishment of kingship in Israel. During this time, the people of Israel repeatedly fell into idolatry and disobedience, leading to cycles of oppression by foreign nations and deliverance by God through various judges.

In the preceding chapters of Judges, the tribe of Benjamin had been nearly destroyed due to their heinous actions. In Judges 19, a Levite and his concubine were staying in Gibeah, a city in the territory of Benjamin. The men of the city demanded to have sex with the Levite, and when he refused, they raped and abused his concubine, leading to her death. The Levite then cut her body into twelve pieces and sent them to all the tribes of Israel, prompting a war against the tribe of Benjamin. The tribe was nearly destroyed, with only a remnant of 600 men surviving.

The verse in question is part of the aftermath of this devastating conflict. The other tribes of Israel, having sworn not to give their daughters in marriage to the men of Benjamin, devise a plan to provide wives for the surviving Benjaminites without breaking their oaths. They do this by allowing the Benjaminites to abduct wives from the nearby town of Shiloh during a festival, effectively circumventing the prohibition against giving them wives directly.

The verse itself illuminates the rationale behind the Israelites' actions. They express a concern for the preservation of the tribe of Benjamin, recognizing that the near destruction of an entire tribe would have severe consequences for the unity and strength of the nation of Israel as a whole. In their eyes, it is imperative that the tribe of Benjamin be allowed to continue and that they be provided with an inheritance, including wives, to ensure their survival.

One of the central themes of this verse is the preservation of the community of Israel. Throughout the book of Judges, the unity and cohesion of the twelve tribes of Israel are paramount, and the conflict with Benjamin threatened to fracture that unity. The verse reflects the Israelites' recognition of the importance of maintaining the tribe of Benjamin, despite the atrocities committed by some of its members.

Another theme brought to the fore in this verse is the consequences of sin and the need for reconciliation. The actions of the men of Gibeah and the resulting war had caused immense suffering and loss, and the Israelites are now seeking a way to reconcile with the survivors of Benjamin. This reflects a broader theme in the book of Judges of the cycle of sin, suffering, repentance, and reconciliation that characterizes the relationship between God and his people.

In addition to these thematic elements, the verse also holds symbolic significance. It serves as a reminder of the various internal conflicts and divisions that plagued Israel during the time of the judges, and the need for unity and reconciliation within the nation. It also foreshadows the eventual establishment of a monarchy in Israel, as the period of the judges comes to an end and gives way to the reign of kings.

In conclusion, Judges 21:17 in the King James Version encapsulates important themes of unity, reconciliation, and the consequences of sin that are prevalent throughout the book of Judges. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and struggles faced by the nation of Israel during this tumultuous period in its history.