Judges 21:12
*“And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins who had not known a man by lying with him; and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.”* (Judges 21:12)
In the concluding chapter of Judges, Israel grapples with the aftermath of a civil conflict involving the tribe of Benjamin. Following a severe slaughter, the remaining Israelites determine to rectify the near-extinction of Benjamin by finding wives for the surviving warriors. As part of this effort, the verse explains how they *found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins who had not known a man by lying with him* (Judges 21:12). Jabesh-gilead was situated east of the Jordan River in the region of Gilead, an area known for its rugged terrain. From this location, these virgins were taken to Shiloh, a religious center of Israel in the central highlands of Canaan, where the Tabernacle stood.
This event unfolds during the time of the Judges, a period traditionally dated to around 1375–1050 BC, before the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. In the broader context of Judges 21, the community seeks to preserve one of Israel’s tribes, even after judging them for their grave moral and civil crimes. Bringing the virgins *to the camp at Shiloh* (Judges 21:12) is a clear attempt to maintain covenant unity and ensure that the tribe of Benjamin does not vanish entirely, though their actions once again highlight the moral ambiguities of this era, when “there was no king in Israel” (Judges 21:25) and everyone did as they saw fit.
Israel’s decision in this verse reflects the nation’s struggle to apply divine law while also compensating for its earlier oath and the devastating consequences of intertribal warfare, creating a critical demonstration of their moral fragmentation and God’s mercy amid human failings.
God’s people here strive to restore the damaged unity and continuity of the Israelite tribes, illustrating how they wrestle with justice and compassion in a time marked by disorder.
They rescued four hundred virgins from Jabesh-gilead to provide wives for Benjamin, thus preventing the potential extinction of that tribe.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Matthew 21:42-44 meaning. Jesus follows up the Sadducees’ and Pharisees’ response to how the landowner will bring the wretched vine-growers to an end with a startling question and a condemning passage from the Psalms. He ends His rebuke by telling them that God will take away their place in His kingdom from them and scatter them like dust.
- Judges 1:11-15 meaning. Caleb offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever captures Kiriath-sepher. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, successfully captures the city and marries Achsah. Achsah then asks Caleb for a field and additional water resources, and Caleb grants her the upper and lower springs.
- Exodus 21:2-11 meaning. The first section of the Book of the Covenant concerns how male and female servants (or slaves) were to be treated.