Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 20th, 2025
the Third Week of Advent
the Third Week of Advent
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Read the Bible
Good News Translation
Judges 21:16
So the leaders of the gathering said, "There are no more women in the tribe of Benjamin. What shall we do to provide wives for the men who are left?
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Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- HolmanParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
The elders of the congregation said, “What should we do about wives for those who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?”
The elders of the congregation said, “What should we do about wives for those who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?”
Hebrew Names Version
Then the Zakenim of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Binyamin?
Then the Zakenim of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Binyamin?
King James Version
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Lexham English Bible
So the elders of the congregation said, "What should we do for the remaining ones for wives, since the women from Benjamin have been destroyed?"
So the elders of the congregation said, "What should we do for the remaining ones for wives, since the women from Benjamin have been destroyed?"
English Standard Version
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
New Century Version
The elders of the Israelites said, "The women of Benjamin have been killed. Where can we get wives for the men of Benjamin who are still alive?
The elders of the Israelites said, "The women of Benjamin have been killed. Where can we get wives for the men of Benjamin who are still alive?
New English Translation
The leaders of the assembly said, "How can we find wives for those who are left? After all, the Benjaminite women have been wiped out.
The leaders of the assembly said, "How can we find wives for those who are left? After all, the Benjaminite women have been wiped out.
Amplified Bible
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those [men] who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?"
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those [men] who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?"
New American Standard Bible
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What are we to do for wives for those who are left, since the women have been eliminated from Benjamin?"
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What are we to do for wives for those who are left, since the women have been eliminated from Benjamin?"
Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore the Elders of the Congregation said, How shall we doe for wiues to the remnant? for the women of Beniamin are destroyed.
Therefore the Elders of the Congregation said, How shall we doe for wiues to the remnant? for the women of Beniamin are destroyed.
Legacy Standard Bible
Toe sê die oudstes van die vergadering: Wat kan ons doen vir die wat oorgebly het, wat vroue aanbetref? Want die vroue was uit Benjamin verdelg.
Toe sê die oudstes van die vergadering: Wat kan ons doen vir die wat oorgebly het, wat vroue aanbetref? Want die vroue was uit Benjamin verdelg.
Contemporary English Version
Then their national leaders said: All the women of the Benjamin tribe were killed. How can we get wives for the men of Benjamin who are left?
Then their national leaders said: All the women of the Benjamin tribe were killed. How can we get wives for the men of Benjamin who are left?
Complete Jewish Bible
The leaders of the assembly asked, "What are we to do for those who still don't have wives, inasmuch as all the women of Binyamin have been killed?"
The leaders of the assembly asked, "What are we to do for those who still don't have wives, inasmuch as all the women of Binyamin have been killed?"
Darby Translation
And the elders of the assembly said, What shall we do for wives for them that remain? for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin.
And the elders of the assembly said, What shall we do for wives for them that remain? for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin.
Easy-to-Read Version
The elders of the Israelites said, "The women of the tribe of Benjamin have been killed. Where can we get wives for the men of Benjamin who are still alive?
The elders of the Israelites said, "The women of the tribe of Benjamin have been killed. Where can we get wives for the men of Benjamin who are still alive?
George Lamsa Translation
Then the elders of the people said. What shall we do for wives for those that remain, for all the Benjamite women have perished?
Then the elders of the people said. What shall we do for wives for those that remain, for all the Benjamite women have perished?
Literal Translation
And the elders of the assembly said, What shall we do to the remnant for wives for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin?
And the elders of the assembly said, What shall we do to the remnant for wives for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the Elders of the congregacio sayde: What wil we do, that the remnaunt maye haue wyues also? for the weme in Ben Iamin are destroied,
And the Elders of the congregacio sayde: What wil we do, that the remnaunt maye haue wyues also? for the weme in Ben Iamin are destroied,
American Standard Version
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Bible in Basic English
Then the responsible men of the meeting said, What are we to do about wives for the rest of them, seeing that the women of Benjamin are dead?
Then the responsible men of the meeting said, What are we to do about wives for the rest of them, seeing that the women of Benjamin are dead?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And then the elders of the congregation, sayd: What shall we do to the remnaunt of them, to get them wiues? seyng all the women of Beniamin are destroyed?
And then the elders of the congregation, sayd: What shall we do to the remnaunt of them, to get them wiues? seyng all the women of Beniamin are destroyed?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then the elders of the congregation said: 'How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?'
Then the elders of the congregation said: 'How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?'
King James Version (1611)
Then the Elders of the Congregation said, How shall we doe for wiues for them that remaine? seeing the women are destroyed out of Beniamin.
Then the Elders of the Congregation said, How shall we doe for wiues for them that remaine? seeing the women are destroyed out of Beniamin.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the elders of the congregation said, What shall we do for wives for them that remain? for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin.
And the elders of the congregation said, What shall we do for wives for them that remain? for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin.
English Revised Version
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Berean Standard Bible
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What should we do about wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?"
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What should we do about wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the grettere men in birthe seiden, What schulen we do to the othere men, that han not take wyues? Alle the wymmen in Beniamyn felden doun,
And the grettere men in birthe seiden, What schulen we do to the othere men, that han not take wyues? Alle the wymmen in Beniamyn felden doun,
Young's Literal Translation
And the elders of the company say, `What do we do to the remnant for wives -- for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin?'
And the elders of the company say, `What do we do to the remnant for wives -- for the women have been destroyed out of Benjamin?'
Update Bible Version
Then the elders of the congregation said, What shall we do for wives for those that remain, seeing the women were destroyed out of Benjamin?
Then the elders of the congregation said, What shall we do for wives for those that remain, seeing the women were destroyed out of Benjamin?
Webster's Bible Translation
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
World English Bible
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
New King James Version
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?"
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who remain, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed?"
New Living Translation
So the elders of the assembly asked, "How can we find wives for the few who remain, since the women of the tribe of Benjamin are dead?
So the elders of the assembly asked, "How can we find wives for the few who remain, since the women of the tribe of Benjamin are dead?
New Life Bible
Then the leaders of the people said, "What will we do for wives for those who are left? All the women of Benjamin were killed."
Then the leaders of the people said, "What will we do for wives for those who are left? All the women of Benjamin were killed."
New Revised Standard
So the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since there are no women left in Benjamin?"
So the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since there are no women left in Benjamin?"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So then, the elders of the assembly said, What are we to do for them who remain, for wives, - for womankind, hath been destroyed out of Benjamin?
So then, the elders of the assembly said, What are we to do for them who remain, for wives, - for womankind, hath been destroyed out of Benjamin?
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the ancients said: What shall we do with the rest, that have not received wives? for all the women in Benjamin are dead.
And the ancients said: What shall we do with the rest, that have not received wives? for all the women in Benjamin are dead.
Revised Standard Version
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
THE MESSAGE
The elders of the congregation said, "How can we get wives for the rest of the men, since all the Benjaminite women have been killed? How can we keep the inheritance alive for the Benjaminite survivors? How can we prevent an entire tribe from extinction? We certainly can't give our own daughters to them as wives." (Remember, the Israelites had taken the oath: "Cursed is anyone who provides a wife to Benjamin.")
The elders of the congregation said, "How can we get wives for the rest of the men, since all the Benjaminite women have been killed? How can we keep the inheritance alive for the Benjaminite survivors? How can we prevent an entire tribe from extinction? We certainly can't give our own daughters to them as wives." (Remember, the Israelites had taken the oath: "Cursed is anyone who provides a wife to Benjamin.")
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
Then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
Contextual Overview
16 So the leaders of the gathering said, "There are no more women in the tribe of Benjamin. What shall we do to provide wives for the men who are left? 17 Israel must not lose one of its twelve tribes. We must find a way for the tribe of Benjamin to survive, 18 but we cannot allow them to marry our daughters, because we have put a curse on anyone who allows a Benjaminite to marry one of our daughters." 19 Then they thought, "The yearly festival of the Lord at Shiloh is coming soon." (Shiloh is north of Bethel, south of Lebonah, and east of the road between Bethel and Shechem.) 20 They told the Benjaminites, "Go and hide in the vineyards 21 and watch. When the young women of Shiloh come out to dance during the festival, you come out of the vineyards. Each of you take a wife by force from among them and take her back to the territory of Benjamin with you. 22 If their fathers or brothers come to you and protest, you can tell them, ‘Please let us keep them, because we did not take them from you in battle to be our wives. And since you did not give them to us, you are not guilty of breaking your promise.'" 23 The Benjaminites did this; each of them chose a wife from the young women who were dancing at Shiloh and carried her away. Then they went back to their own territory, rebuilt their towns, and lived there. 24 At the same time the rest of the Israelites left, and every man went back to his own tribe and family and to his own property. 25 There was no king in Israel at that time. Everyone did whatever they pleased.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Cross-References
Genesis 27:38
Esau continued to plead with his father: "Do you have only one blessing, father? Bless me too, father!" He began to cry.
Esau continued to plead with his father: "Do you have only one blessing, father? Bless me too, father!" He began to cry.
Genesis 29:11
Then he kissed her and began to cry for joy.
Then he kissed her and began to cry for joy.
Genesis 44:34
How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I cannot bear to see this disaster come upon my father."
How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I cannot bear to see this disaster come upon my father."
Judges 2:4
When the angel had said this, all the people of Israel began to cry,
When the angel had said this, all the people of Israel began to cry,
Ruth 1:9
And may the Lord make it possible for each of you to marry again and have a home." So Naomi kissed them good-bye. But they started crying
And may the Lord make it possible for each of you to marry again and have a home." So Naomi kissed them good-bye. But they started crying
1 Samuel 24:16
When David had finished speaking, Saul said, "Is that really you, David my son?" And he started crying.
When David had finished speaking, Saul said, "Is that really you, David my son?" And he started crying.
1 Samuel 30:4
David and his men started crying and did not stop until they were completely exhausted.
David and his men started crying and did not stop until they were completely exhausted.
1 Kings 3:26
The real mother, her heart full of love for her son, said to the king, "Please, Your Majesty, don't kill the child! Give it to her!" But the other woman said, "Don't give it to either of us; go on and cut it in two."
The real mother, her heart full of love for her son, said to the king, "Please, Your Majesty, don't kill the child! Give it to her!" But the other woman said, "Don't give it to either of us; go on and cut it in two."
Esther 8:6
How can I endure it if this disaster comes on my people, and my own relatives are killed?"
How can I endure it if this disaster comes on my people, and my own relatives are killed?"
Isaiah 49:15
So the Lord answers, "Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.
So the Lord answers, "Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Then the elders of the congregation said.... This being the case, that there were not wives enough for them, they were obliged to consult again, and consider of another expedient to provide for them; and this motion came from the elders of the people, not only in years, but in office:
how shall we do for wives for them that remain: the other two hundred, who had none:
seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin? and so no wives to be had there; and as for the Israelites which came to Mizpeh, who were of all the tribes of Israel, they had solemnly sworn that they would not give any of their daughters to them, and therefore it was a very difficult thing to provide wives for them.
