Judges 21:19
In Judges 21:19, we read, *So they said, “Behold, there is a feast of the LORD from year to year in Shiloh (which is on the east side of Bethel on the north side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south side of Lebonah)”* (v.19). This verse sets the scene in the aftermath of a civil war brought on by the tragic events described at the end of the book of Judges. Here, the Israelites discuss a yearly feast of the LORD to be held at Shiloh, which was located in the hill country of Ephraim, about 20 miles north of Jerusalem. Historically, Shiloh housed the tabernacle from about 1350–1100 BC until it was destroyed (1 Samuel 4:11). It sat “on the east side of Bethel” and between Bethel and Shechem, two locations key to Israel’s inheritance of the land (Joshua 18:1) citeturn0file2. The verse also references Lebonah, pinpointing the position of Shiloh in relation to these towns.
By mentioning “a feast of the LORD,” the people of Israel were affirming their commitment to corporate worship and celebration. The yearly pilgrimages to places like Shiloh allowed them to worship God collectively. Though the text does not specify which feast is being observed, it remains connected to the broader practice of regular feasts in Old Testament Israel (Deuteronomy 16:16). These gatherings helped unify the tribes, especially in a fractured time after intense conflict. They also reminded Israel of the importance of celebrating and renewing their covenant before God, a God who had delivered them multiple times in the turbulent period of the Judges.
In doing so, Judges 21:19 foreshadows the transitional nature of leadership structures in Israel. Shiloh had once been the center of worship, and this verse gives importance to its religious significance and geography. Later in Israel’s history, worship would shift to other locales such as Jerusalem under King David and Solomon (1 Kings 8). Here at the end of Judges, however, these instructions to gather in Shiloh reveal a continued desire to maintain a relationship with God through worship, even in the wake of moral and social chaos that permeated the land.
It shows how God’s people, despite deep divisions, still longed to gather and celebrate the LORD’s presence year by year.
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:
- Judges 5:19-23 meaning. In the final part of the song of Deborah and Barak, they continue to celebrate Israel's victory over the Canaanite oppressors. The narrative shifts to a poetic description of the battle and the divine intervention that led to Israel's triumph.
- Exodus 15:19-21 meaning. The song that was sung by the men in verses 1 – 18 is followed by a reminder of the reason for the song (v. 19) and the celebration by Miriam and the women (vv. 20-21).
- Judges 1:16-21 meaning. The descendants of the Kenite join the tribe of Judah in their territory. Despite the Lord’s presence, Judah fails to drive out the inhabitants of the valley, beginning to show the start of their failures. Caleb is given Hebron and drives out the Anakim, but the tribe of Benjamin also fails in their war efforts.