Definition: And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 21:3. It's a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about the rise of division within Israel after a period of turmoil. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a situation where a significant portion of the tribe of Benjamin – which was already divided into smaller groups – suddenly lost its members, leaving them with very few people. It's essentially saying, "Why is this happening? What caused this loss of people?" Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And said, O LORD God of Israel…” : This establishes that the speaker is addressing a divine being – God – and acknowledging his responsibility for the situation. “…why is this come to pass in Israel…” : This focuses on where this problem is happening: within the Jewish people (Israel). It’s not just any problem, it's specifically affecting the tribe of Benjamin. “…that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?” : This is the crucial part. "One tribe" refers to the tribe of Benjamin. “Lacking in Israel” means they had very few people remaining. What’s Happening – A Possible Explanation (It's a bit complex, but here’s what we can infer): The verse doesn't give us a single, simple answer. It suggests that this loss of people was likely caused by a combination of factors: Conflict: There may have been ongoing conflict within the tribe of Benjamin – perhaps between different factions or with other groups. Political Instability: The area around the tribe might have been unstable and difficult to govern, leading to divisions and loss of members. Leadership Disputes: Perhaps there were disagreements among the tribe’s leaders that caused them to withdraw from each other. Important Note: The verse doesn't explicitly state why this happened. It simply states it is happening . It's a moment of crisis and a potential warning about the dangers of division and unrest within Israel. In short, the verse paints a picture of a significant loss of people within the tribe of Benjamin, which led to a growing divide that was causing problems for the entire nation. --- Do you want me to: Explain this passage in more detail? Discuss possible interpretations of the verse's meaning? Provide a brief summary of what happened after this event?