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.
So the men of Benjamin did exactly that. They took wives for themselves from among the dancing women they captured, taking only as many as they needed. Then they returned to their own territory, rebuilt their cities, and settled down to live in them.
The writer is describing how the tribe of Benjamin finally got wives and was able to rebuild their communities after nearly being wiped out.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Judges, the tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped out in a civil war with the other Israelite tribes after a horrific incident involving moral outrage and violence. To preserve the tribe and fulfill God's promise to maintain the twelve tribes of Israel, the leaders devised a plan for the surviving Benjaminite men to seize wives from the daughters of Shiloh during a festival, as direct marriages were forbidden by oath. This allowed the Benjaminites to rebuild their community and return to their ancestral lands, marking the end of this turbulent period in Israel's early history.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.