6 Now the Israelites grieved for the tribe of Benjamin, their fellow Israelites. "Today one tribe is cut off from Israel," they said.
6 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.
6 And the people of Israel had compassion for Benjamin their brother and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel this day.
6 But the People of Israel were feeling sorry for Benjamin, their brothers. They said, "Today, one tribe is cut off from Israel.
6 And the children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel today.
6 The Israelites felt sorry for their brother Benjamin and said, "Today one of the tribes of Israel has been cut off.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 21:6
Chapter Contents
The Israelites lament for the Benjamites.
Israel lamented for the Benjamites, and were perplexed by the oath they had taken, not to give their daughters to them in marriage. Men are more zealous to support their own authority than that of God. They would have acted better if they had repented of their rash oaths, brought sin-offerings, and sought forgiveness in the appointed way, rather than attempt to avoid the guilt of perjury by actions quite as wrong. That men can advise others to acts of treachery or violence, out of a sense of duty, forms a strong proof of the blindness of the human mind when left to itself, and of the fatal effects of a conscience under ignorance and error.