Judges 21:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Israel asked which tribe had failed to assemble before the LORD, recalling their solemn oath that any who stayed away from Mizpeh would be put to death.
What Does Judges 21:5 Mean?
A second oath now surfaces. Israel had sworn that anyone failing to answer the summons to Mizpeh would surely be put to death. As they search for a way to provide wives for Benjamin without breaking the first oath, they ask who was absent from the assembly, looking for a community that fell under this second vow. The narrative coils tighter, oath compounding oath.
The verse exposes how people in a moral fog reach for technical solutions instead of seeking the LORD's clear guidance. They had bound themselves twice over, and now both bonds pull against each other. It is a sober picture of leadership that knows the forms of devotion yet has lost the wisdom to walk straight. The reader is led to long for a Shepherd who guides His people in righteousness rather than leaving them to negotiate among their own rash promises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 21:5
What does Judges 21:5 mean?
Israel asked which tribe had failed to assemble before the LORD, recalling their solemn oath that any who stayed away from Mizpeh would be put to death.