👉 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 21:5. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about betrayal and a serious consequence. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core of the Story: The Israelites are angry: The story begins with the Israelites, led by their judge, arguing that there was someone else among all the tribes of Israel who hadn't come to worship God. They're making a big deal: They’ve made a very serious oath – a promise – to God saying that He would be put to death if anyone came to worship Him outside of the group. This was a huge, bold declaration of defiance. What it’s about: The verse is essentially saying that these Israelites were being incredibly disrespectful and rebellious. They were actively trying to undermine God's authority and his plan for them. They were actively choosing to disregard His will. Why was this significant? This event had huge consequences: It led to a crisis: The Israelites’ actions triggered a major conflict, and it was a turning point in their history. It highlighted their betrayal: It showed that they were prioritizing their own desires over God's. In short, the verse is about a moment of intense defiance where the Israelites chose to disobey God and risked his wrath. --- Let me know if you’d like me to: Explain another Bible verse in more detail. Discuss the historical context of this passage? Talk about what this verse might symbolize (e.g., the importance of obedience)?
