Judges 21:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They found four hundred unmarried young women in Jabesh-gilead and brought them to the camp at Shiloh.
What Does Judges 21:12 Mean?
Among the people of Jabesh-gilead, four hundred unmarried young women are found and brought to the Israelite camp at Shiloh, in the land of Canaan. Shiloh was where the tabernacle stood, the place of God's appointed worship. The detail quietly notes that this whole scheme unfolds in the shadow of the sanctuary, near the very dwelling Israel had ignored in its self-rule.
The proximity to Shiloh sharpens the tragedy: God's house is near, yet His counsel is not sought. Four hundred young women are uprooted to mend a tear of Israel's own making. Behind the narrative the reader senses the silent grief of God over a people who keep the outward forms of worship while their hearts run by their own will. It deepens the ache for the day when worship and obedience would be joined again in the heart of God's people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 21:12
What does Judges 21:12 mean?
They found four hundred unmarried young women in Jabesh-gilead and brought them to the camp at Shiloh.