Definition: Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed [be] he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Judges 21:18. It's a really important and somewhat unsettling verse in the Bible. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Situation: The Problem: The story of this verse is about a man named Benjamin who was being treated unfairly by the Israelites. He was being cursed – meaning he would be punished – by his brothers. The Dispute: A dispute arose between Benjamin’s brothers and a man named “Judges.” This man, Judges, was trying to take Benjamin's wife. The Ruling: The judges decided that Benjamin’s wife would not be allowed to marry anyone else – including Benjamin himself. This is the core of the problem. Let’s unpack it further: “Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters:” This is a bit tricky, but it means “Even though we don’t give them wives of our daughters.” It's saying that this restriction is being imposed because of the situation with Benjamin and his brothers. The judges are protecting themselves from a conflict. “For the children of Israel have sworn:” This is the key part. The Israelites – the people God had given to the land – were making a solemn promise. They were saying, "This man is cursed!" This was a powerful declaration. "Cursed [be] he that giveth a wife to Benjamin." This is where it gets really significant. “Cursed” means someone is punished for their actions. The phrase “give a wife to Benjamin” specifically refers to the man who was trying to take Benjamin’s wife. It's a direct, formal condemnation. What does this all mean? It highlights injustice: This verse shows that even when people are in a dispute, there can be serious consequences and unfair treatment. It emphasizes divine judgment: The judges were acting on behalf of God, punishing the man who was causing trouble. It speaks to the importance of upholding promises: The Israelites' oath (the “children of Israel” part) is very important. It shows that they were bound by a promise, and those promises need to be honored. In short, this verse illustrates a situation where someone’s actions caused significant trouble for others, leading to a formal punishment. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this passage to other stories or biblical themes (like covenants)? Give a slightly different perspective on the meaning – perhaps focusing on the context of the time period?