King James Version

What Does Judges 21:23 Mean?

Judges 21:23 in the King James Version says “And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caug...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 21:23 · KJV

Context

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.

25

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Read Judges 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The phrase did so (vaya'asu-khen, וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵן) indicates Benjamin's obedience to the elders' command, executing the mass kidnapping. They took them wives... whom they caught (vayis'u nashim... asher chatfu, וַיִּשְׂאוּ נָשִׁים... אֲשֶׁר חָטָפוּ)—the juxtaposition of "took wives" (covenant language) with "caught" (predatory violence) reveals the moral contradiction. The verb nasa (נָשָׂא, "took/lifted up") is used throughout Scripture for taking a wife in legitimate marriage (Genesis 24:67), yet here it describes forced abduction.

From a Reformed perspective, this verse demonstrates how corporate sin becomes normalized when leadership sanctions it. Individual Benjamites might have hesitated at kidnapping, yet communal approval and leadership command overcame moral scruples. This warns about the power of corrupt leadership to sear conscience and normalize evil—compare Nazi Germany's Holocaust, American slavery, or any system where authority figures declare wickedness acceptable. Romans 12:2 commands: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."

The conclusion—returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them—describes apparent restoration and normalcy. Benjamin was preserved, cities rebuilt, life resumed. Yet this "solution" left 200 traumatized women and their families as casualties, the moral foundation of Israel's society shattered, and the book concluding with condemnation: "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (21:25). Pragmatic solutions to spiritual problems may achieve immediate goals while causing deeper long-term damage to righteousness and justice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Benjamin's return to their inheritance and rebuilding of cities fulfilled the stated goal—preventing tribal extinction. Archaeological evidence from Late Bronze/Early Iron Age sites in Benjamin's territory (between Jerusalem and Bethel) shows destruction layers consistent with the civil war period, followed by rebuilding. The tribe's preservation ensured future significant figures: King Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2), Queen Esther (Esther 2:5), and the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5).

However, the moral cost was incalculable. The 200 kidnapped women from Shiloh lived the rest of their lives with men who had violently seized them from worship. Their children would grow up knowing their mothers were abducted, their maternal grandparents' grief ignored by Israel's elders. This trauma rippled through generations, illustrating how sin's consequences extend far beyond immediate circumstances. The preservation of Benjamin's tribal structure came at the cost of justice for hundreds of individuals whose suffering the narrative doesn't even acknowledge beyond logistical details.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes prioritize institutional preservation or numerical growth over justice for individuals harmed by our actions?
  2. What does Benjamin's restoration teach about the difference between pragmatic solutions and righteous resolution of sin's consequences?
  3. When have you seen leadership normalize moral compromise by appealing to institutional necessity or strategic goals?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ1 of 20

“did so”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵן֙2 of 20
H3651

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

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 20

“And the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִנְיָמִ֔ן4 of 20

“of Benjamin”

H1144

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

וַיִּשְׂא֤וּ5 of 20

“and took”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

נָשִׁים֙6 of 20

“them wives”

H802

a woman

לְמִסְפָּרָ֔ם7 of 20

“according to their number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

מִן8 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמְּחֹֽלְל֖וֹת9 of 20

“of them that danced”

H2342

properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 20
H834

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

גָּזָ֑לוּ11 of 20

“whom they caught”

H1497

to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob

וַיֵּֽלְכ֗וּ12 of 20
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַיָּשׁ֙וּבוּ֙13 of 20

“and returned”

H7725

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

אֶל14 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נַ֣חֲלָתָ֔ם15 of 20

“unto their inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

וַיִּבְנוּ֙16 of 20

“and repaired”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת17 of 20
H853

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

הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים18 of 20

“the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ19 of 20

“and dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּהֶֽם׃20 of 20
H0

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 21:23 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 21:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 20:48

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