Judges 21:3 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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?

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And they said, 'O LORD God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel? Why is one of our tribes missing today?'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The Israelites are crying out to God, asking why one of their twelve tribes has been nearly wiped out.

📚 Historical Context

The Book of Judges describes a chaotic period in Israel's history after they settled in the Promised Land, marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance under various judges. In this specific chapter, the tribes of Israel had waged a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin due to a horrific crime committed in Gibeah, resulting in the near annihilation of Benjamin. The people then gathered at Bethel and lamented to God about the loss, fearing that one of the twelve tribes was on the verge of extinction.

Explore Similar Verses

Romans 9:31

But Israel? They were chasing after righteousness through the law, trying so hard to get it right, and somehow still missed it completely.

Romans 11:7

So what's the deal? Israel as a whole didn't get what they were searching for, but God's chosen people within Israel did get it. Everyone else? Their eyes got clouded over.

Hosea 8:8

Israel has been completely consumed, now they'll be scattered among other nations like a broken dish that nobody wants anymore.

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📚 Historical Context

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