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Judges 11

40 verses

TL;DR

Jephthah, cast out by his kin, is called back to lead Israel against the Ammonites; his victorious vow leads to the tragic sacrifice of his only daughter.

Summary

The chapter opens with Jephthah being rejected by his brothers in Gilead and fleeing to Tob. After the Ammonites attack Israel, the elders of Gilead persuade him to return as commander, and Jephthah accepts on the condition that the Lord deliver the Ammonites. He sends envoys to the Ammonite king, and the Lord delivers the Ammonites to Jephthah. Jephthah then vows that whatever comes out of his house upon his return will be offered to the Lord. After a decisive victory over the Ammonites, his daughter appears to greet him, prompting Jephthah to honor his vow by offering her as a burnt offering. The chapter concludes with the lamentation of Israel’s daughters over Jephthah’s daughter for four days each year.

Outline
  1. Jephthah’s rejection and reinstatement as commander
  2. Jephthah’s battle with the Ammonites and vow
  3. The fulfillment of the vow and the daughter's lament
Themes
The peril of hasty vowsDivine judgment versus human responsibilityTragic consequences of loyalty and faith
Keywords
JephthahGileadAmmonvowdaughterlamentationdeliverancewardivine judgment
People
JephthahKing of AmmonKing of EdomKing of MoabSihonBalak son of ZipporElders of Gilead
Places
GileadTobMizpehAmmonArnonJabbokJordanKadeshEdomMoabHeshbonAroerMinnithVineyards
Things
vowburnt offeringtimbrelsdancelamentation customSpirit of the Lordmilitary campaign
Key Verses
  • Judges 11:32: Illustrates divine victory over Ammon
  • Judges 11:35: Jephthah’s lament at his daughter’s arrival
  • Judges 11:40: Shows the enduring sorrow and cultural memory of the tragedy
Questions
  • What motivates Jephthah to honor a vow that results in the loss of his only child?
  • How does the chapter portray the tension between divine promise and human action?
  • In what ways does the lamentation of Israel’s daughters serve as a cultural remembrance of the event?
  • What does Jephthah’s story suggest about the consequences of being cast out by one’s family?
  • How might the narrative reflect broader themes of covenant and sacrifice in Israelite theology?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter juxtaposes triumph over the Ammonites with the sorrowful fulfillment of Jephthah’s vow.