In Judges 21:3, the Israelites cry out in shock and sorrow, fearing they have obliterated one of their own tribes and pleading with God over the severity of their self-inflicted loss.
“And they said, ‘Why, O LORD, God of Israel, has this come about in Israel, so that one tribe should be missing today in Israel?’” (v.3). This verse occurs at a moment of deep sorrow and reflection among the Israelites, shortly after the civil war that nearly destroyed the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob’s youngest son (born roughly around 1900 BC), had taken part in a tragic incident recorded in Judges 19, leading to nationwide outrage and conflict. In the book of Judges—spanning approximately 1375-1050 BC—Israel was a loosely connected confederation of tribes without centralized rule, and this inter-tribal warfare threatened the very unity of God’s people.
Here, the surviving tribes gather in despair, realizing they have taken their retribution so far that the entire tribe of Benjamin may vanish. Their question, “Why, O LORD, God of Israel…?” (v.3), expresses both grief and confusion as they wrestle with the horrific consequences of their own actions. They perceive that such a rupture within God’s covenant people defies His desire for them to dwell in fellowship and righteousness. Rather than celebrating victory, they lament the potential extinction of their own kin, highlighting the depth of familial bonds which were meant to reflect their covenant relationship with the LORD.
Spiritually, this verse underscores how ignoring God’s commands and nursing unchecked anger can bring devastating results. The Israelite lament shows a sudden surge of conscience, as they implore God for answers regarding the near annihilation of a tribe He had chosen. From a broader biblical perspective, their cry anticipates the New Testament theme of reconciliation among believers, calling every generation to examine what unresolved conflicts might tear them apart (John 17:20-23).
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Judges 21:3 meaning
“And they said, ‘Why, O LORD, God of Israel, has this come about in Israel, so that one tribe should be missing today in Israel?’” (v.3). This verse occurs at a moment of deep sorrow and reflection among the Israelites, shortly after the civil war that nearly destroyed the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob’s youngest son (born roughly around 1900 BC), had taken part in a tragic incident recorded in Judges 19, leading to nationwide outrage and conflict. In the book of Judges—spanning approximately 1375-1050 BC—Israel was a loosely connected confederation of tribes without centralized rule, and this inter-tribal warfare threatened the very unity of God’s people.
Here, the surviving tribes gather in despair, realizing they have taken their retribution so far that the entire tribe of Benjamin may vanish. Their question, “Why, O LORD, God of Israel…?” (v.3), expresses both grief and confusion as they wrestle with the horrific consequences of their own actions. They perceive that such a rupture within God’s covenant people defies His desire for them to dwell in fellowship and righteousness. Rather than celebrating victory, they lament the potential extinction of their own kin, highlighting the depth of familial bonds which were meant to reflect their covenant relationship with the LORD.
Spiritually, this verse underscores how ignoring God’s commands and nursing unchecked anger can bring devastating results. The Israelite lament shows a sudden surge of conscience, as they implore God for answers regarding the near annihilation of a tribe He had chosen. From a broader biblical perspective, their cry anticipates the New Testament theme of reconciliation among believers, calling every generation to examine what unresolved conflicts might tear them apart (John 17:20-23).