How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?
What can we do to find wives for the men who are left, since we have made a solemn promise to the LORD that we won't let any of our daughters marry them?
The writer is showing how the Israelites struggled with the consequences of their hasty vow, realizing they had created a problem for the surviving Benjamites who needed wives.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Judges, the Israelites were engaged in a civil war with the tribe of Benjamin after a horrific crime in Gibeah led to widespread outrage and conflict among the tribes. They had sworn an oath not to give their daughters as wives to the Benjamites, but after nearly wiping out the tribe, they realized the survivors needed wives to prevent Benjamin's extinction. This verse reflects their dilemma in balancing their sacred vow with the practical need to preserve Israel's unity.
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