Judges 21:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →They declared that the survivors of Benjamin must have an inheritance so that the tribe would not vanish from Israel.
What Does Judges 21:17 Mean?
The elders affirm a principle: the survivors of Benjamin must have an inheritance, so that the tribe is not blotted out of Israel. Inheritance here means the family line carried on and the tribal land kept within the people of God. Their concern is that Benjamin keep its place among the twelve, its portion in the promise given to all Israel.
The desire to preserve an inheritance reflects God's own faithfulness to His covenant people. He does not will that any tribe be lost, that any name be cut off from the promise. This longing to secure a future for the nearly-lost echoes the heart of redemption, in which God keeps for His people an inheritance that does not fade, and gathers even the most diminished into the fullness of His promise so that none of His own should perish.
Judges 21:17 in the Original Language
nachalah (נַחֲלָה), 'inheritance' -- a permanent possession passed down within a family or tribe as their share in the land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 21:17
What does Judges 21:17 mean?
They declared that the survivors of Benjamin must have an inheritance so that the tribe would not vanish from Israel.