Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.
Now the men of Israel had made a solemn promise at Mizpeh, saying, 'None of us will give our daughters in marriage to men from the tribe of Benjamin.'
The writer is explaining that all the other Israelite tribes had sworn an oath refusing to let their daughters marry men from the tribe of Benjamin.
📚 Historical Context
This oath was made during a civil war where the eleven tribes of Israel fought against the tribe of Benjamin over a horrific crime in Gibeah. The Israelites had gathered at Mizpeh to seek God's guidance and make battle plans. After nearly wiping out Benjamin in the war, they realized their oath would prevent Benjamin from surviving as a tribe since the men would have no wives.
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