Judges 21:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Benjamin returned and received the women spared from Jabesh-gilead as wives, but there were still not enough for all the survivors.
What Does Judges 21:14 Mean?
Benjamin returns at the call of peace, and the men receive as wives the young women spared from Jabesh-gilead. Yet even these are not enough, for the survivors of the tribe outnumber the four hundred. The partial remedy leaves the problem unsolved and sets the stage for the further scheme that follows.
The shortfall shows how human fixes for self-inflicted wounds rarely reach all the way. Israel has acted, and still the wound gapes. There is honesty in the narrative's refusal to tidy things up too quickly. It reminds the reader that we cannot fully mend by our own devices what sin has torn, and turns the heart toward the only One whose grace is always sufficient, whose provision never falls short of the need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 21:14
What does Judges 21:14 mean?
Benjamin returned and received the women spared from Jabesh-gilead as wives, but there were still not enough for all the survivors.