What does Judges 21:21 mean?
"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 21:21
The verse Judges 21:21 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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." This verse is taken from the Book of Judges, which is a part of the Old Testament and describes the period of Israel's history when they were ruled by judges before the establishment of the monarchy.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. In the preceding chapters, the tribe of Benjamin faced near destruction due to a terrible incident involving the gang rape and murder of a concubine. As a result, the other tribes of Israel declared war on Benjamin and decimated their numbers. After the war, the Israelites were distressed by the fact that they had almost wiped out one of the tribes of Israel, and were concerned about the future of the tribe of Benjamin. They recognized that if the tribe of Benjamin was completely destroyed, it would lead to an imbalance in the distribution of territory among the tribes of Israel.
In response to this, the Israelites came up with a unique solution to ensure the survival of the tribe of Benjamin. They devised a plan to allow the remaining men of Benjamin to take wives from among the daughters of Shiloh while they were dancing during a festival. The men would then take their wives and go back to the land of Benjamin to rebuild their tribe.
This verse raises several important themes and issues that are significant in the context of the Book of Judges and the Old Testament as a whole. One of the central themes is the concept of justice and the consequences of sin. The near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin was a result of their own sinful actions, which led to a cycle of violence and retribution among the tribes of Israel. This verse reflects the aftermath of this cycle and the attempt to rectify the damage that was done.
Another important theme in this verse is the role of women in society. The women of Shiloh were essentially being used as a means of preserving the tribe of Benjamin. They were seen as objects to be obtained by the men of Benjamin, rather than as individuals with agency and autonomy. This raises questions about the status of women in ancient Israelite society and the treatment of women as commodities.
Symbolism can also be found in this verse, particularly in the mention of the daughters of Shiloh dancing. In ancient cultures, dance often held symbolic significance and was associated with fertility, celebration, and religious rituals. The act of dancing by the daughters of Shiloh may symbolize the vitality and life of the community, and the hope for a future for the tribe of Benjamin.
In conclusion, the verse Judges 21:21 from the King James Version of the Bible is a complex and thought-provoking passage that addresses issues of justice, gender, and the consequences of sin. It reflects the challenges and dilemmas faced by the tribes of Israel during the period of the judges, and raises important questions about the nature of society and the role of individuals within it. By understanding the historical and cultural context of this verse, we can gain deeper insight into its meaning and relevance for contemporary readers.
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Judges 21:21 Artwork
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."
"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 21:21
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 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."
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."
Mark 2:1
Revelation 2:1
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 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?"
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."
Lamentations 2:1
Mark 2:1
Lamentations 2:1
Lamentations 2:1
Genesis 2:1
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:"