Book of Judges - Chapter 21 - Verse 11

When exploring the meaning of the verse "And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man," it is essential to understand the historical context in which it was written. This verse, found in the Book of Deuteronomy in the Bible, is part of the instructions given to the Israelites by God as they waged war against the Canaanites. The command to "utterly destroy" every male and woman who has known a man was a harsh directive that reflected the severity of the conflict. Scholars interpret this instruction as a way to prevent intermarriage between the Israelites and the Canaanites, as well as to eliminate the influence of pagan practices in the land. While this command may seem extreme by today's standards, it was seen as necessary in the context of ancient warfare and religious beliefs.

In this verse, the command is given to utterly destroy every male and every woman who has lain with a man. This command may seem harsh and difficult to understand within a modern context. The theological interpretation of this verse often focuses on the historical context in which it was given. At the time, the Israelites were engaged in warfare with the Canaanites, and God's command to destroy every male and woman who had been intimate with a man was part of his judgment against the Canaanite people for their wickedness and idolatry. Additionally, this command served to prevent intermarriage between the Israelites and Canaanites, which could lead to the corruption of the Israelites' faith. Word studies on phrases such as "utterly destroy" and "lain with a man" can provide further insight into the specific actions that were required of the Israelites in this context.