Bible Strands
Judges 21:5
The Israelites asked, “Who among all the tribes of Israel did not come to the assembly before the LORD?” For they had taken a solemn oath that anyone who failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah would surely be put to death.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelites ask among themselves which tribe failed to join the assembly at Mizpah following a solemn oath. This inquiry occurs immediately after they rise early to build an altar and present burnt and peace offerings.
The words — The phrase עָלָה בַ/קָּהָל ('a.Lah va./ka.Hal) literally renders "he went up in the assembly." It anchors the question to the physical gathering mandated by the earlier vow.
The thread — The text notes the severe penalty for absentees, which aligns with the curse pronounced in Judges 5:23 for those who did not come to help. The binding nature of the vow also mirrors the warning in Jeremiah 48:10 against remiss duty and the principle of devoted commitment in Leviticus 27:28.
Why it lands — The passage records the community's realization that a tribe has been cut off due to oath violation. It requires the reader to confront the practical accountability demanded when a group formally commits to a shared obligation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the Lord? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the Lord to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.
Cross-references
- Judges 5:23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ says the angel of the LORD. ‘Bitterly curse her inhabitants; for they did not come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’
- Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed is the one who is remiss in doing the work of the LORD, and cursed is he who withholds his sword from bloodshed.
- Leviticus 27:28 Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.
- Judges 21:1 Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”
- Judges 21:18 But we cannot give them our daughters as wives.” For the Israelites had sworn, “Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite.”
- 1 Samuel 11:7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.