Judges 21:17
New International Version
The Benjamite survivors must have heirs,” they said, “so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.

New Living Translation
There must be heirs for the survivors so that an entire tribe of Israel is not wiped out.

English Standard Version
And they said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, that a tribe not be blotted out from Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
They added, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.

King James Bible
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

New King James Version
And they said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, that a tribe may not be destroyed from Israel.

New American Standard Bible
And they said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.

NASB 1995
They said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe will not be blotted out from Israel.

NASB 1977
And they said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, that a tribe may not be blotted out from Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they said, “There must be a possession for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe will not be blotted out from Israel.

Amplified Bible
They said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
They said, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They said, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.

American Standard Version
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not blotted out from Israel.

Contemporary English Version
If they don't have children, one of the Israelite tribes will die out.

English Revised Version
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not blotted out from Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some said, "Benjamin's men who survived must be allowed to have families. No tribe of Israel should be wiped out.

Good News Translation
Israel must not lose one of its twelve tribes. We must find a way for the tribe of Benjamin to survive,

International Standard Version
They continued, "Let's make sure that there's an inheritance for the survivors of the tribe of Benjamin, so that a tribe won't be blotted out from Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
They added, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.

NET Bible
The remnant of Benjamin must be preserved. An entire Israelite tribe should not be wiped out.

New Heart English Bible
They said, "How will an inheritance remain for the survivors of Benjamin, that a tribe not be blotted out from Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that have escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

World English Bible
They said, “There must be an inheritance for those who are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe not be blotted out from Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they say, “A possession of an escaped party [is] to Benjamin, and a tribe is not blotted out from Israel;

Young's Literal Translation
And they say, 'A possession of an escaped party is to Benjamin, and a tribe is not blotted out from Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will say, An inheritance for the escaped to Benjamin, and a tribe shall not be destroyed from Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And we must use all care, and provide with great diligence, that one tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and we must take great care, and make provision with a very great diligence, so that one tribe may not be wiped away from Israel.

New American Bible
They said, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
And they said, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, in order that a tribe may not be blotted out from Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they said, The remnant of Benjamin must be spared, that a tribe may not be missing from Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they said: “A remnant of Benyamin shall be left and we shall not forget a tribe of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they said: 'They that are escaped must be as an inheritance for Benjamin, that a tribe be not blotted out from Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they said, There must be an inheritance of them that are escaped of Benjamin; and so a tribe shall not be destroyed out of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wives for the Benjamites
16Then the elders of the congregation said, “What should we do about wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?” 17They added, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out. 18But we cannot give them our daughters as wives.” For the Israelites had sworn, “Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite.”…

Cross References
Numbers 36:7-9
No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. / Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers. / No inheritance may be transferred from one tribe to another, for each tribe of Israel must retain its inheritance.”

Deuteronomy 25:5-6
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

Ruth 4:10
Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”

Genesis 38:8-9
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.” / But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother.

1 Samuel 9:21
Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?”

2 Samuel 14:7
Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”

1 Kings 11:36
I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.

Ezra 2:59-63
The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not prove that their families were descended from Israel: / the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 652 in all. / And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). ...

Nehemiah 7:61-65
The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that their families were descended from Israel: / the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642 in all. / And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). ...

Isaiah 4:1
In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”

Matthew 22:24
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.

Mark 12:19
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Luke 20:28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Romans 11:1-5
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? ...

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.


Treasury of Scripture

And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

an inheritance

Numbers 26:55
Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

Numbers 36:7
So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

Jump to Previous
Benjamin Benjamite Blotted Destroyed Escaped Existence Heirs Inheritance Israel Offspring Party Possession Rest Survivors Tribe Wiped
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Benjamin Benjamite Blotted Destroyed Escaped Existence Heirs Inheritance Israel Offspring Party Possession Rest Survivors Tribe Wiped
Judges 21
1. The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin
8. By the destruction of Jabesh Gilead they provide them four hundred wives.
16. They advise the remainder to surprise the virgins that danced at Shiloh














They said
This phrase indicates a collective decision or declaration by the Israelites. In the context of Judges, this reflects the communal nature of decision-making among the tribes of Israel. Historically, the Israelites often gathered to discuss and resolve issues, especially those affecting the entire nation. This communal approach underscores the importance of unity and shared responsibility in the covenant community.

There must be
The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and necessity. The Hebrew root here implies a strong obligation or requirement. This reflects the Israelites' understanding of their covenantal duty to preserve the tribes of Israel as ordained by God. It highlights the seriousness with which they approached the potential extinction of one of their tribes.

an inheritance
In the Hebrew context, "inheritance" (nachalah) is not merely about property or land but is deeply tied to identity, legacy, and divine promise. The land was a tangible sign of God's covenant with His people. Ensuring an inheritance for Benjamin was crucial for maintaining the tribe's identity and fulfilling God's promises to the patriarchs.

for the survivors of Benjamin
This phrase focuses on the remnant of the tribe of Benjamin, which had been decimated due to the civil war described earlier in Judges. The term "survivors" emphasizes the fragility and vulnerability of the tribe at this point. Historically, the survival of a tribe was essential for the continuation of its lineage and role within the nation of Israel.

so that a tribe of Israel
The reference to "a tribe of Israel" underscores the collective identity of the twelve tribes as a unified nation under God. Each tribe had a unique role and purpose within the larger framework of Israel. The potential loss of a tribe was not just a demographic issue but a spiritual and covenantal crisis.

will not be wiped out
The phrase "wiped out" (shamad in Hebrew) conveys total destruction or annihilation. This reflects the gravity of the situation and the Israelites' determination to prevent such an outcome. Historically, the preservation of each tribe was vital for maintaining the integrity and continuity of the nation as a whole. The Israelites recognized that the loss of a tribe would mean a breach in the covenant community established by God.

(17) There must be an inheritance.--Rather, possession of the remnant shall be for Benjamin--i.e., We will leave untouched their land and possessions. "We give you leave to take the whole land of Benjamin to yourselves" (Jos. Antt. v. 3, ? 12).

That a tribe be not destroyed.--Benjamin never quite recovered this crushing blow. Even though it furnished the second judge (Ehud) and the first king (Saul) to Israel, and was advantageously situated, and was often honoured by the residence of Samuel, it became a mere satellite to the more powerful tribe of Judah. Perhaps in the quiescence and permanence derived from the close association with its powerful neighbour we see in part the fulfilment of the blessing in Deuteronomy 33:12.

Verse 17. - There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin. The passage is difficult to construe and to explain. If the words There must be are properly supplied in the A.V., the sense will come out more clearly if we take the word inheritance to mean rather succession, which is the idea contained in the root. There must be a succession for the escaped of Benjamin, i.e. there must be heirs to succeed, and therefore we must find wives for them. The word peleytah without the article can hardly mean the remnant, as has been proposed, but must be defined by being taken with Benjamin.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They added,
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“There must be heirs
יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת (yə·ruš·šaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3425: Something occupied, a conquest, a patrimony

for the survivors
פְּלֵיטָ֖ה (pə·lê·ṭāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6413: Deliverance, an escaped portion

of Benjamin,
לְבִנְיָמִ֑ן (lə·ḇin·yā·min)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

so that a tribe
שֵׁ֖בֶט (šê·ḇeṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

of Israel
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (mî·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

will not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be wiped out.
יִמָּחֶ֥ה (yim·mā·ḥeh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4229: To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to


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OT History: Judges 21:17 They said There must be an inheritance (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 21:16
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