King James Version

What Does Judges 21:22 Mean?

Judges 21:22 in the King James Version says “And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourabl... — study this verse from Judges chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty. Be favourable: or, Gratify us in them

Judges 21:22 · KJV


Context

20

Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;

21

And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

22

And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty. Be favourable: or, Gratify us in them

23

And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.

24

And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty. This verse reveals the elders' prepared response to anticipated complaints—a casuistic argument that the kidnapping didn't violate their oath. The phrase be favourable unto them for our sakes (chonenu otam, חָנּוּנוּ אוֹתָם) uses vocabulary of grace and mercy, perversely applied to requesting clemency for kidnappers. The elders appeal to the victims' families to show grace rather than seeking justice.

The tortured logic continues: we reserved not to each man his wife in the war—since they hadn't deliberately preserved Shiloh's women for Benjamin during the civil war, the women weren't technically "given" but "taken," thus avoiding the oath's violation. The phrase ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty (ki lo atattem lahem ka'et, כִּי לֹא נְתַתֶּם לָהֶם כָּעֵת) reveals their obsession with technical oath-keeping while orchestrating mass kidnapping. From a Reformed perspective, this epitomizes the legalistic casuistry Jesus condemned—creating elaborate justifications for violating God's law while claiming technical compliance (Mark 7:9-13).

The argument's fundamental flaw is treating oath-keeping as more sacred than justice, mercy, and righteousness. Micah 6:8 states God requires "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Their scheme violated all three—injustice to kidnapped women, mercilessness to traumatized families, and pride in human wisdom replacing humble dependence on God. Jesus taught that Sabbath-keeping doesn't justify neglecting mercy (Matthew 12:7); similarly, oath-keeping doesn't justify kidnapping.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The anticipated "complaint" (yarivu, יָרִיבוּ, from riv, רִיב) refers to formal legal protest bringing grievances before assembly or judges (Exodus 23:2-3, Deuteronomy 25:1). The elders prepared legal arguments to defend the indefensible, demonstrating how far the judicial system had deteriorated. In a functioning covenant community, the elders would champion justice for victims, not excuse perpetrators.

The twisted logic about "not giving" wives reveals the bankruptcy of legalistic reasoning divorced from covenant principles. Ancient Near Eastern legal tradition (reflected in biblical casuistic law) emphasized protecting the vulnerable—orphans, widows, foreigners (Exodus 22:21-24, Deuteronomy 24:17-22). Yet here Israel's elders constructed legal arguments to exploit the vulnerable. This pattern appears whenever religious systems prioritize tradition over justice—compare the Pharisees declaring parental support "Corban" to avoid the fifth commandment (Mark 7:9-13) or medieval indulgence sales that claimed to offer grace while exploiting the poor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes construct elaborate justifications for actions we know violate God's principles of justice and mercy?
  2. What does this verse teach about the danger of treating technical compliance with rules as more important than righteousness?
  3. When have you seen legal or theological arguments used to defend the powerful and silence the victimized?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְהָיָ֡ה1 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּֽי2 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָבֹ֣אוּ3 of 25

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֲבוֹתָם֩4 of 25

And it shall be when their fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

א֨וֹ5 of 25
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אֲחֵיהֶ֜ם6 of 25

or their brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

לָרִ֣וֹב׀7 of 25

unto us to complain

H7378

properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

אֵלֵ֗ינוּ8 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְאָמַ֤רְנוּ9 of 25

that we will say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶם֙10 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חָנּ֣וּנוּ11 of 25

unto them Be favourable

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

אוֹתָ֔ם12 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כִּ֣י13 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א14 of 25
H3808

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

לָקַ֛חְנוּ15 of 25

unto them for our sakes because we reserved

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אִ֥ישׁ16 of 25

not to each man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ17 of 25

his wife

H802

a woman

בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה18 of 25

in the war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

כִּ֣י19 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א20 of 25
H3808

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

אַתֶּ֛ם21 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נְתַתֶּ֥ם22 of 25

for ye did not give

H5414

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

לָהֶ֖ם23 of 25
H0
כָּעֵ֥ת24 of 25

unto them at this time

H6256

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

תֶּאְשָֽׁמוּ׃25 of 25

that ye should be guilty

H816

to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish


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 21:22 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 21:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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