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Judges 21:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 21:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins, that had not known man by lying with him; and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins, that had not known man by lying with him; and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.
Judges 21:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9For when the people were numbered, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.
10And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.
11And this is the thing that ye shall do: ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
12And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins, that had not known man by lying with him; and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.
13And the whole congregation sent and spake to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace unto them.
14And Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.
15And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that Jehovah had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
← Judges 21:11Judges 21:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, etc.] Or damsel virgins f439; damsels that were virgins: that had known no man by lying with any male: which was judged of by their age, and by their unmarried state, and by common report, unless it can be thought they were examined by matrons; but how it was that they were not obliged, or did not think themselves obliged by their oath to put these to death, as well as others, is not easy to say; whether they thought the necessity of the case would excuse it, or they had a dispensation from the Lord for it, on consulting him; however, so it was: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To Shiloh - Whither, as the usual place of meeting for the national assembly, the Israelites had moved from Bethel (a distance of about 10 miles), during the expedition of the 12,000 to Jabesh-Gilead. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“virgins: Heb. women virgins: Shiloh, Jdg 20:18, Jdg 20:23; Jos 18:1; Psa 78:60; Jer 7:12 Judges 21:13”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification