King James Version

What Does Judges 21:12 Mean?

“And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan. young: Heb. young women virgins”

Context

10

And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest , and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

11

And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man. hath lain: Heb. knoweth the lying with man

12

And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan. young: Heb. young women virgins

13

And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them. to speak: Heb. and spake and called call: or, proclaim peace

14

And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead : and yet so they sufficed them not.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **They brought them.**—It can hardly be doubted that the “them” means the young virgins, although the pronoun is masculine (*otham*)*, *as in Judges 21:22. If so, the idiom is like the Greek one in which a woman speaking of herself in the plural uses the masculine (*Brief Greek Syntax, *p. 61). There is no other trace of this idiom in Hebrew, but we can hardly suppose that many Jabesh-Gileadite captives were brought to Shiloh, and then put to death in cold blood in accordance with the ban. **Unto the camp to Shiloh.**—The Israelites, now that the war with Benjamin was over, appear to have moved their stationary camp to Shiloh, the normal and more central seat of the tabernacle at this period (Judges 18:31). **Which is in the land of Canaan.**—We find the same addition in Joshua 21:2; Joshua 22:9. Perhaps there was another Shiloh on the east of the Jordan; but see Note on Judges 21:19. The mere fact of Jabesh being in *Gilead *does not seem sufficient to account for it.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 21:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 21:12

Joshua 18:1
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Judges 20:18
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Jeremiah 7:12
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Psalms 78:60
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Judges 20:23
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Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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