King James Version

What Does Judges 21:14 Mean?

Judges 21:14 in the King James Version says “And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead :...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 21:14 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

15

And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

16

Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?

Read Judges 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not. The remnant of Benjamin accepted the peace terms and received wives which they had saved alive from Jabesh-gilead's destruction (21:8-12). The phrase "saved alive" (chayah, חָיָה) reveals the brutal context—Israel had executed all male inhabitants and married women of Jabesh-gilead for failing to join the war against Benjamin (21:10-11), sparing only 400 virgins. This "solution" involved genocide against a fellow Israelite city.

The tragic phrase and yet so they sufficed them not (velo matsu lahem ken, וְלֹא מָצְאוּ לָהֶם כֵּן) indicates the 400 women were insufficient for 600 Benjamite men, requiring another violent "solution"—kidnapping 200 women from Shiloh (21:19-23). From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates how sin compounds when people seek pragmatic solutions rather than repentance. Israel's rash oath created a dilemma they "solved" through escalating violence against innocent parties.

Theologically, this exposes the bankruptcy of human wisdom apart from God's guidance. Proverbs 14:12 warns: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Israel's scheme preserved Benjamin technically while violating fundamental covenant principles of justice and mercy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jabesh-gilead was a city in Gilead (Transjordan) with later significance in Israel's history—it was the city Saul rescued from Ammonite siege (1 Samuel 11:1-11), creating lasting loyalty between Benjamin and Jabesh-gilead. The men of Jabesh-gilead later honored Saul by retrieving his body from Philistine desecration (1 Samuel 31:11-13).

The slaughter of Jabesh-gilead for not participating in the Benjamin war demonstrates the breakdown of proportional justice during this period. The original offense—protecting Gibeah's rapists—was Benjamin's sin. Jabesh-gilead's neutrality, while perhaps cowardly, hardly merited total destruction. Israel's escalating violence reveals moral disintegration where each attempted solution required fresh injustice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do pragmatic solutions to spiritual problems often create new injustices while failing to address root issues?
  2. What does the destruction of Jabesh-gilead teach about how zealous enforcement of covenant obligations can itself violate covenant principles?
  3. How can we recognize when our attempted solutions to problems are compounding sin rather than promoting genuine restoration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיָּ֤שָׁב1 of 16

“came again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

בִּנְיָמִן֙2 of 16

“And Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

בָּעֵ֣ת3 of 16

“at that time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַהִ֔יא4 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ5 of 16

“and they gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶם֙6 of 16
H0
מִנְּשֵׁ֖י7 of 16

“of the women”

H802

a woman

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חִיּ֔וּ9 of 16

“which they had saved alive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

מִנְּשֵׁ֖י10 of 16

“of the women”

H802

a woman

יָבֵ֣שׁ11 of 16

“of Jabeshgilead”

H3003

jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine

גִּלְעָ֑ד12 of 16
H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

וְלֹֽא13 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָצְא֥וּ14 of 16

“and yet so they sufficed”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

לָהֶ֖ם15 of 16
H0
כֵּֽן׃16 of 16
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

Study Guide

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 21:14 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 21:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 21:121 Corinthians 7:2Judges 20:47

Places in This Verse

Jabesh-gileadSettlement · Modern: Tell el Maqlub · 32.40°N, 35.68°E20 verses across 4 books
View all places in Judges 21 →

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