Judges 21:6

*“And the sons of Israel were sorry for their brother Benjamin and said, ‘One tribe is cut off from Israel today!’”* (Judges 21:6). This verse occurs at a moment when the nation of Israel experiences deep regret over a civil war that nearly annihilated the entire tribe of Benjamin. The conflict originated in the horrific crime at Gibeah, where a Levite’s concubine was tragically abused and killed by men of the city (Judges 19:25–28). Outraged by the atrocity, the other Israelite tribes joined forces against Benjamin, resulting in a devastating war in which Benjamin was nearly wiped out. Following the victory, however, Israel suddenly realized the terrible cost of its actions—that the unity of the twelve tribes was almost shattered forever. Having sworn an oath that restricted ways for Benjamin to recover, they lamented that “one tribe is cut off,” meaning the entire nation stood on the brink of losing part of its inheritance.citeturn0file9

In this period roughly between 1380 BC and 1050 BC, Israel was a confederation of tribes living in the Promised Land without a centralized earthly king, looking instead to the LORD for their governance. The tribe of Benjamin, named after Jacob’s youngest son, had its ancestral territory in the southern region of Israel (Joshua 18:11–28). After the near-destruction of their kinsmen, the other tribes grappled with the consequences of swift justice that had veered into overreach, and they sought to find a way to preserve Benjamin’s future. Their grief signified that, despite their righteous anger over the sin at Gibeah, they recognized their responsibility to protect the integrity and legacy of all of God’s people.

Israel’s remorse highlights the delicate balance between pursuing justice for wrongdoing and showing mercy to those at risk of being lost.

Here is the one-sentence summary: The Israelites’ realization that they had nearly obliterated an entire tribe reveals how unchecked vengeance can wound the very community it aims to protect.