Judges 21:7 Meaning and Explanation
“How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They asked how they could provide wives for the surviving Benjamites, since they had sworn by the LORD not to give them their own daughters.
What Does Judges 21:7 Mean?
Now the dilemma is stated plainly. How can wives be found for the men of Benjamin who survived, when Israel has sworn by the LORD not to give them their daughters? Without wives, the tribe cannot continue, and the survivors of the war would dwindle and vanish. The very oath meant to punish Benjamin now threatens to finish the destruction the war began.
The verse captures the trap of a vow made without foresight. Israel wants Benjamin to live, yet has sworn in a way that seems to forbid the means of its life. Their predicament is a mirror for every person ensnared by words spoken in haste or anger. It quietly teaches the reader to weigh promises soberly, and to bring even our self-made tangles to the God who alone can open a way where we have closed every door.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 21:7
What does Judges 21:7 mean?
They asked how they could provide wives for the surviving Benjamites, since they had sworn by the LORD not to give them their own daughters.