King James Version

What Does Judges 21:4 Mean?

Judges 21:4 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.”

Judges 21:4 · KJV

Peace

Context

2

And the people came to the house of God , and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

3

And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

4

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

5

And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

6

And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

Read Judges 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Israel built an altar at Bethel despite the ark and tabernacle being present with their existing altar. The Hebrew mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ, "altar") suggests this was an additional altar, possibly indicating their desperation to seek atonement for the near-extinction of Benjamin. The combination of olot (עֹלוֹת, "burnt offerings," wholly consumed, symbolizing complete dedication) and shelamim (שְׁלָמִים, "peace offerings," partially eaten, symbolizing fellowship restored) shows they sought both purification and reconciliation.

The timing "on the morrow" and "rose early" indicates urgency—they immediately sought to restore relationship with God and address Benjamin's crisis. Yet the tragic irony persists: they offered sacrifices for a problem they themselves created. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates the danger of religious ritual divorced from repentance and wisdom. They performed correct sacrificial procedure but then "solved" the problem through more violence (destroying Jabesh-gilead, verses 8-12) rather than through genuine reconciliation. This parallels Saul's later reasoning that sacrifice can substitute for obedience (1 Samuel 15:22). Israel demonstrated religious form while lacking the wisdom to prevent disasters or the humility to solve them justly. Their offerings addressed symptoms (guilt) but not root problems (rash oaths, excessive vengeance, failure to seek God's wisdom before acting).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Building altars for special purposes had biblical precedent: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob built altars at sites of divine encounter (Genesis 12:7-8, 26:25, 35:1-7). However, after the tabernacle's construction, sacrifices were to occur at the central sanctuary (Leviticus 17:8-9, Deuteronomy 12:13-14). During the chaotic Judges period, this law was often ignored—Gideon built an altar (Judges 6:24-26), as did Manoah (Judges 13:19-20).

The burnt offering (olah) was completely consumed on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God and atonement for sin (Leviticus 1). The peace offering (shelamim, also called fellowship offering) was partially burned and partially eaten by worshipers, symbolizing restored communion with God and community (Leviticus 3, 7:11-21). Together, these sacrifices sought to address the catastrophic breakdown in Israel's community—they had nearly destroyed Benjamin, violated tribal unity, and made rash oaths they regretted. Yet their subsequent actions reveal the emptiness of ritual without wisdom: they destroyed Jabesh-gilead (400 virgins taken, everyone else killed) and condoned kidnapping at Shiloh, showing that sacrifice cannot substitute for righteous, wise action.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes use religious activity to address problems we ourselves created rather than truly repenting and seeking wisdom?
  2. What does the combination of burnt and peace offerings reveal about Israel's desire for both purification and restored fellowship?
  3. In what ways might we perform correct religious forms while still lacking the wisdom to prevent or righteously resolve ethical dilemmas?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 10
H1961

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

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת2 of 10

“And it came to pass on the morrow”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ3 of 10

“rose early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

הָעָ֔ם4 of 10

“that the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיִּבְנוּ5 of 10

“and built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

שָׁ֖ם6 of 10
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִזְבֵּ֑חַ7 of 10

“there an altar”

H4196

an altar

וַיַּֽעֲל֥וּ8 of 10

“and offered”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֹל֖וֹת9 of 10

“burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וּשְׁלָמִֽים׃10 of 10

“and peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

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 21:4 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 21:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 24:25Hosea 5:151 Kings 8:64Hebrews 13:10Judges 6:262 Samuel 24:18

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 21 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes