Old Testament

Judges 21:11

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In Judges 21:11, the Israelites are given a command to eliminate all the men and women who have been involved with men from a specific group.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

Here's exactly what you must do: kill every man and every woman who has slept with a man."

KJVKing James Version

And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Judges 21:11, the Israelites are given a command to eliminate all the men and women who have been involved with men from a specific group. This directive comes after a troubling event where the tribe of Benjamin faced severe consequences for their actions. The command reflects the seriousness of sin and the need for purification within the community. It highlights the extreme measures taken to address moral corruption and maintain the holiness of the Israelite nation. This passage can be difficult to understand in a modern context, as it involves violence and judgment. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's standards and the consequences of turning away from them. The focus is on the need for accountability and the protection of the community from influences that could lead them astray.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 21:11 to your life

This verse challenges us to consider the seriousness of our actions and their impact on our community. It encourages self-reflection on our moral choices and the importance of maintaining integrity within our relationships. We should strive to uphold values that align with our beliefs and support one another in doing so.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Judges 21:11 mean?

Judges 21:11 conveys a command given to the Israelites to eliminate all men and women from a specific group who had been involved with men. This directive emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the need for purification within the community after a troubling event involving the tribe of Benjamin.

What is the context of Judges 21:11?

The context of Judges 21:11 involves the aftermath of a civil conflict where the tribe of Benjamin faced severe consequences for their actions. The command to destroy those who had been involved with men reflects the Israelites' efforts to address moral corruption and restore holiness to their community.

Why is Judges 21:11 difficult to understand?

Judges 21:11 can be difficult to understand due to its violent nature and the harsh judgment it prescribes. In a modern context, the idea of such extreme measures raises questions about morality and justice, making it challenging to reconcile with contemporary values.

What themes are present in Judges 21:11?

Judges 21:11 highlights themes such as judgment, purification, community accountability, and the consequences of sin. It underscores the importance of adhering to divine commands and the lengths to which the Israelites went to protect their community from moral decay.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

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