Juges - Caput 21

Juges 21.1 iuraverunt quoque filii Israhel in Maspha et dixerunt nullus nostrum dabit filiis Beniamin de filiabus suis uxorem Juges 21.2 veneruntque omnes ad domum Dei in Silo et in conspectu eius sedentes usque ad vesperam levaverunt vocem et magno ululatu coeperunt flere dicentes Juges 21.3 quare Domine Deus Israhel factum est hoc malum in populo tuo ut hodie una tribus auferretur ex nobis Juges 21.4 altera autem die diluculo consurgentes extruxerunt altare obtuleruntque ibi holocausta et pacificas victimas et dixerunt Juges 21.5 quis non ascendit in exercitu Domini de universis tribubus Israhel grandi enim se iuramento constrinxerant cum essent in Maspha interfici eos qui defuissent Juges 21.6 ductique paenitentia filii Israhel super fratre suo Beniamin coeperunt dicere ablata est una tribus de Israhel Juges 21.7 unde uxores accipient omnes enim in commune iuravimus non daturos nos his filias nostras Juges 21.8 idcirco dixerunt quis est de universis tribubus Israhel qui non ascendit ad Dominum in Maspha et ecce inventi sunt habitatores Iabisgalaad in illo exercitu non fuisse Juges 21.9 eo quoque tempore cum essent in Silo nullus ex eis ibi reppertus est Juges 21.10 miserunt itaque decem milia viros robustissimos et praeceperunt eis ite et percutite habitatores Iabisgalaad in ore gladii tam uxores quam parvulos eorum Juges 21.11 et hoc erit quod observare debetis omne generis masculini et mulieres quae cognoverunt viros interficite Juges 21.12 inventaeque sunt de Iabisgalaad quadringentae virgines quae nescierunt viri torum et adduxerunt eas in castra in Silo in terra Chanaan Juges 21.13 miseruntque nuntios ad filios Beniamin qui erant in petra Remmon et praeceperunt eis ut eos in pace susciperent Juges 21.14 veneruntque filii Beniamin in illo tempore et datae sunt eis uxores de filiabus Iabisgalaad alias autem non reppererunt quas simili modo traderent Juges 21.15 universusque Israhel valde doluit et egit paenitudinem super interfectione unius tribus ex Israhel Juges 21.16 dixeruntque maiores natu quid faciemus reliquis qui non acceperunt uxores omnes in Beniamin feminae conciderunt Juges 21.17 et magna nobis cura ingentique studio providendum est ne una tribus deleatur ex Israhel Juges 21.18 filias nostras eis dare non possumus constricti iuramento et maledictione qua diximus maledictus qui dederit de filiabus suis uxorem Beniamin Juges 21.19 ceperuntque consilium atque dixerunt ecce sollemnitas Domini est in Silo anniversaria quae sita est ad septentrionem urbis Bethel et ad orientalem plagam viae quae de Bethel tendit ad Sycimam et ad meridiem oppidi Lebona Juges 21.20 praeceperuntque filiis Beniamin atque dixerunt ite et latete in vineis Juges 21.21 cumque videritis filias Silo ad ducendos choros ex more procedere exite repente de vineis et rapite eas singuli uxores singulas et pergite in terram Beniamin Juges 21.22 cumque venerint patres earum ac fratres et adversum vos queri coeperint atque iurgari dicemus eis miseremini eorum non enim rapuerunt eas iure bellantium atque victorum sed rogantibus ut acciperent non dedistis et a vestra parte peccatum est Juges 21.23 feceruntque filii Beniamin ut sibi fuerat imperatum et iuxta numerum suum rapuerunt sibi de his quae ducebant choros uxores singulas abieruntque in possessionem suam aedificantes urbes et habitantes in eis Juges 21.24 filii quoque Israhel reversi sunt per tribus et familias in tabernacula sua Juges 21.25 in diebus illis non erat rex in Israhel sed unusquisque quod sibi rectum videbatur hoc faciebat

Juges : Caput 21

The Conclusion of Judges Chapter 21

Judges chapter 21 concludes the tragic account of the civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. This passage raises a fundamental question: how does Israel strive to restore tribal unity? Through a moving text, we discover the desperate efforts made to prevent the extinction of the tribe of Benjamin, including extreme and morally questionable measures. This chapter illustrates the complications that arise when human solutions take precedence over divine direction.

The Moral Chaos of the Age

Judges chapter 21 ends the book by reaffirming the moral chaos that prevailed at that time. It is essential to reflect on the consequences of these choices and the paths we take when we stray from God's ways. Let's consider together five biblical passages that relate to the challenging themes of this final chapter.

Revealing Bible Passages

Numbers 30:2

"When a person makes a vow to the Lord or swears a binding oath, he may not break his word, but he must fulfill everything he has said." This verse draws our attention to the vow made by the Israelites in Judges 21, placing them in a delicate situation.

Deuteronomy 23:21

"If you vow a vow to the Lord your God, do not delay in fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely call you to account, and you will be guilty of sin." This passage underlines the seriousness of vows, in connection with the dilemma encountered in Judges 21, particularly the vote against Jabesh-Gilead.

Jeremiah 31:15

"Thus says the Lord: 'A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel weeps for her children and refuses to be comforted, because her children are no more.' This verse evokes the pain felt over the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin, as described in Judges 21.

Hosea 9:9

"They were deeply corrupt, as in the days of Gibeah. God will remember their iniquity and punish them for their sins." This passage directly refers to the tragic events at Gibeah, as recounted in Judges 19-21, and underscores their lasting impact on Israel's history.

James 1:20

"Because the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." This verse illustrates the hasty and violent actions taken in Judges 21, which, in their quest for resolution, create new problems.

Final Reflection

Through these passages and the account of Judges, we are called to reflect on our own conduct and how we can seek divine guidance in times of crisis. May our faith guide us to avoid moral chaos and restore harmony among us, in the light of God's Word.