Albert Barnes Commentary Judges 21
Albert Barnes Commentary
Judges 21
Albert Barnes Commentary
Judges 21
"And the people came to Beth-el, and sat there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore." — Judges 21:2 (ASV)
To the house of God — It should be, “to Bethel.” See Judges 20:18.
"And they said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to-day one tribe lacking in Israel?" — Judges 21:3 (ASV)
The repetition of the name of Israel is very striking in connection with the title of Yahweh as “God of Israel.” It contains a very forcible pleading of the covenant, and memorial of the promises. The very name “Israel” comprehended all the twelve tribes; with one of them blotted out, the remnant would not be Israel.
"And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings." — Judges 21:4 (ASV)
It is not certain whether the brass altar was at Bethel at this time, or whether it may not have been elsewhere, for example, at Shiloh with the tabernacle. Some, however, think that the altar here mentioned was “additional” to the brass altar, in consequence of the unusual number of sacrifices caused by the presence of the whole congregation (Compare to 1 Kings 8:64, see note).
"And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up unto Jehovah to Mizpah? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly." — Judges 21:8 (ASV)
Jabesh-Gilead - Is here mentioned for the first time. (See marginal references.) The name of Jabesh survives only in the Wadi Yabes (running down to the east bank of the Jordan), near the head of which are situated the ruins called Ed-Deir, which are identified with Jabesh-Gilead.
"And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones." — Judges 21:10 (ASV)
And the congregation sent 12,000 men - A thousand from each tribe; they followed the precedent of (Numbers 31:4).
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