Judges 21:1-7 ▼

1 And the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not a man of us shall give his daughter to Benjamin as a wife.”

2 And the people came to Bethel and remained there until the evening before the face of God, and they lifted up their voices and wept, bitterly weeping,

3 and they said, “Why, O YHWH, God of Israel, has this come to pass in Israel, to be lacking today in Israel one tribe?”

4 And it came to pass on the next morning that the people rose early and built there an altar, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

5 And the sons of Israel said, “Who is he that did not come up with the assembly among all the tribes of Israel to YHWH?” For a great oath had been concerning not coming up to YHWH at Mizpah, saying, “He must surely be put to death.”

6 And the sons of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and they said, “Today is cut off one tribe from Israel.

7 What shall we do for those who remain for wives, since we have sworn by YHWH that we will not give to them our daughters as wives?”