Judges 21:5

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לֵאמֹ֖ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

And the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִ֠י

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לַֽ֠אֲשֶׁר

H834

that

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָלָ֨ה

H5927

came

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בַקָּהָ֛ל

H6951

not up with the congregation

assemblage (usually concretely)

מִכָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#10

שִׁבְטֵ֥י

H7626

Who is there among all the tribes

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

#11

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#12

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#13

יְהוָ֧ה

H3068

to the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#14

כִּי֩

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#15

הַשְּׁבוּעָ֨ה

H7621

oath

properly, something sworn, i.e., an oath

#16

הַגְּדוֹלָ֜ה

H1419

For they had made a great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#17

הָֽיְתָ֗ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#18

לַֽ֠אֲשֶׁר

H834

that

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#19

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#20

עָלָ֨ה

H5927

came

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#21

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#22

יְהוָ֧ה

H3068

to the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#23

הַמִּצְפָּ֛ה

H4709

to Mizpeh

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

#24

לֵאמֹ֖ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

#25

יוּמָֽת׃

H4191

He shall surely

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#26

יוּמָֽת׃

H4191

He shall surely

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of covenant within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of covenant, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of theology of covenant and God's relational commitment?
How does the covenant theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?

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