1.
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.
Jephthah: Hebrews 11:32, called Jephthae
a mighty: Judges 6:12, 2 Kings 5:1
an harlot: Heb. a woman
an harlot: Probably zonah should be rendered as in Joshua 2:1, a hostess, or inn-keeper, so Targum of Jonathan, wehoo bar ittetha pundekeetha, "and he was the son of a woman, a tavern-keeper." She was very probably a Canaanite, as she is called, Judges 11:2, a strange woman, ishah achereth, "a woman of another race;" and on this account his brethren drove him from the family, as not having a full right to the inheritance.
Reciprocal: Genesis 19:38 - children 1 Samuel 12:11 - Jephthah 1 Kings 3:16 - harlots
2.
And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.
thrust out: Genesis 12:10, Deuteronomy 23:2, Galatians 4:30
a strange: Proverbs 2:16, Proverbs 5:3, Proverbs 5:20, Proverbs 6:24-26
Reciprocal: Judges 11:1 - an harlot Acts 7:39 - but
3.
Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
from his brethren: Heb. from the face of
Tob: Probably the same as Ish-Tob; and appears to have been a part of Syria, near Zobah, Rehob, and Maachah, east of Jordan, and in the most northern part of the portion of Manasseh. If so, it could not be far from Gilead, the country of Jephthah. This country is called Tobie or Tubin, 1; Mac Hebrews 5:13, and the Jews who inhabited this district Tubieni, 2; Mac Hebrews 12:17. 2 Samuel 10:6.
vain men: Judges 9:4, 1 Samuel 22:2, 1 Samuel 27:2, 1 Samuel 30:22-24, Job 30:1-10, Acts 17:5
Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 13:7 - vain men
4.
And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.
am 2817, bc 1187, An, Ex, Is, 304
in process of time: Heb. after days. Judges 11:4
Reciprocal: Judges 3:31 - Israel 2 Chronicles 27:5 - the king of the Ammonites
5.
And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
made war: Judges 10:9, Judges 10:17, Judges 10:18
to fetch: 1 Samuel 10:27, 1 Samuel 11:6, 1 Samuel 11:7, 1 Samuel 11:12, Psalms 118:22, Psalms 118:23, Acts 7:35-39, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 10:6 - Ishtob
6.
And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
Reciprocal: Isaiah 3:6 - a man
7.
And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?
Did not ye hate: Genesis 26:27, Genesis 37:27, Genesis 45:4, Genesis 45:5, Proverbs 17:17, Isaiah 60:14, Acts 7:9-14, Revelation 3:9
8.
And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
the elders: Exodus 8:8, Exodus 8:28, Exodus 9:28, Exodus 10:17, 1 Kings 13:6, Luke 17:3, Luke 17:4
we turn: Judges 10:18
Reciprocal: Judges 11:11 - head 1 Samuel 11:1 - Nahash Job 29:25 - chose out
9.
And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?
If ye bring: Numbers 32:20-29
Reciprocal: Judges 8:23 - I will
10.
And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.
The Lord: Genesis 21:23, Genesis 31:50, 1 Samuel 12:5, Jeremiah 29:23, Jeremiah 42:5, Romans 1:9, 2 Corinthians 11:31
be witness: be the hearer, Genesis 16:5, Genesis 31:53, Deuteronomy 1:16, 1 Samuel 24:12
if we do: Exodus 20:7, Zechariah 5:4, Malachi 3:5
Reciprocal: Judges 12:4 - and the men Malachi 2:14 - the Lord
11.
Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.
head: Judges 11:8
uttered: 1 Samuel 23:9-12, 1 Kings 3:7-9, 2 Corinthians 3:5, James 1:5, James 1:17
Jephthah uttered: That is, upon his elevation, he immediately retired to his devotion, and in prayer spread the whole matter before God, both his choice to the office, and his execution of the office, as one that had his eye ever toward the Lord, and would do nothing without him; that leaned not to his own understanding or courage, but depended on the Almighty God, and his favour. This is an ensample worthy of universal imitation; in All Our Ways, whether great or apparently subordinate, let us acknowledge God and seek his direction. So shall we make our way prosperous, and obtain that peace which passeth all understanding. Jephthah opened his campaign with prayer.
before: Judges 10:17, Judges 20:1, 1 Samuel 10:17, 1 Samuel 11:15
Mizpeh: This Mizpeh was east of Jordan in the mountains of Gilead - Genesis 31:49,and hence called Mizpeh of Gilead - Judges 11:29,to distinguish it from another place of the same name, west of Jordan, in the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:38
Reciprocal: Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow Joshua 13:26 - Ramathmizpeh Judges 10:18 - he shall be Judges 11:34 - Mizpeh 1 Samuel 8:21 - he rehearsed 2 Samuel 5:3 - before 1 Chronicles 11:3 - before
12.
And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?
sent messengers: In this Jephthah acted in accordance with the law of Moses; and hence the justice of his cause would appear more forcibly to the people. Numbers 20:14, Numbers 21:21, Deuteronomy 2:26, Deuteronomy 20:10, Deuteronomy 20:11, Proverbs 25:8, Proverbs 25:9, Matthew 18:15, Matthew 18:16
What hast: 2 Kings 14:8-12
Reciprocal: Judges 12:2 - I and my 2 Samuel 10:1 - king Nehemiah 4:7 - the Ammonites Joel 3:4 - and what
13.
And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably.
Because Israel: Numbers 21:24-26, Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 19:9
from Arnon: That is, all the land which had belonged to the Amorites and Moabites.
Jabbok: Genesis 32:22, Deuteronomy 2:37, Deuteronomy 3:16
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:19 - General Joshua 12:2 - Jabbok Joshua 13:25 - half 2 Kings 8:6 - Restore all Jeremiah 49:1 - their king
14.
And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:
again unto: Psalms 120:7, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11
15.
And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:
Israel took: Numbers 21:13-15, Numbers 21:27-30, Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19, 2 Chronicles 20:10, Acts 24:12, Acts 24:13
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:37 - unto the land 2 Chronicles 26:8 - the Ammonites Amos 1:13 - and for
16.
But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;
But when: The whole of these messages shew, Jephthah had well studied the book of Moses. His arguments also are very clear and cogent, and his demands reasonable; for he only required that the Ammonites should cease to harass a people who had neither injured them, nor intended to do so.
walked: Numbers 14:25, Deuteronomy 1:40, Joshua 5:6
came: Genesis 14:7, Numbers 13:26, Numbers 20:1, Deuteronomy 1:46
Reciprocal: Numbers 20:14 - Moses Zechariah 1:20 - four
17.
Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.
sent messengers: Numbers 20:14-21, Deuteronomy 2:4-8, Deuteronomy 2:29
the king: Deuteronomy 2:9
abode: Numbers 20:1, Numbers 20:16
Reciprocal: Numbers 20:20 - Thou shalt Deuteronomy 1:46 - General
18.
Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.
went: Numbers 20:22, Numbers 21:10-13, Numbers 33:37-44, Deuteronomy 2:1-8
compassed: Numbers 21:4-9
came by: Numbers 21:11
pitched: Numbers 21:13, Numbers 22:36
Reciprocal: Numbers 20:21 - wherefore Deuteronomy 2:8 - And when Deuteronomy 2:24 - the river Arnon Deuteronomy 2:29 - As the children Joshua 12:1 - from the Isaiah 16:2 - the fords Jeremiah 48:20 - Arnon Zechariah 1:20 - four
19.
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place.
Numbers 21:21-35, Deuteronomy 2:26-34, Deuteronomy 3:1-17, Joshua 13:8-12
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:27 - General
20.
But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
Numbers 21:23, Deuteronomy 2:32, Lord God, Nehemiah 9:22, Psalms 135:10-12, Psalms 136:17-21, they smote, Numbers 21:24, Numbers 21:25, Deuteronomy 2:33, Deuteronomy 2:34, so Israel, Joshua 13:15-32
Reciprocal: Numbers 20:20 - Thou shalt Deuteronomy 2:30 - for the Lord Isaiah 15:4 - Jahaz
21.
And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.
Reciprocal: Exodus 23:31 - deliver the Numbers 21:24 - Israel Joshua 6:2 - I have 2 Chronicles 13:5 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 13:16 - God delivered Amos 2:9 - I the
22.
And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.
And they: Deuteronomy 2:36
from the wilderness: From Arabia Deserta on the east, to Jordan on the west.
Reciprocal: Joshua 12:2 - Jabbok
23.
So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?
Jephthah shews that the Israelites did not take the land of the Moabites or Ammonites, but that of the Amorites, which they had conquered from Sihon their king; and although the Amorites had taken the lands in question from the Ammonites, yet the title by which Israel held them was good, because they took them, not from the Ammonites, but from the Amorites.
Reciprocal: Genesis 48:22 - Amorite Joshua 5:1 - all the kings 2 Chronicles 20:11 - to cast us
24.
Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.
Wilt not thou possess: This is simply an argumentum ad hominem; in which Jephthah argues on this principles recognized by the king of Ammon. As if he had said, "You suppose that the land which you possess was given you by your god Chemosh; and therefore will not relinquish what you believe you hold by a divine right. Now we know that Jehovah, our God, has given us the land of the Israelites; and therefore we will not give it up."
Chemosh: Numbers 21:29, 1 Kings 11:7, Jeremiah 48:7, Jeremiah 48:46
whomsoever: Deuteronomy 9:4, Deuteronomy 9:5, Deuteronomy 18:12, Joshua 3:10, Psalms 44:2, Psalms 78:55, Micah 4:5
Reciprocal: Numbers 20:21 - wherefore Deuteronomy 2:21 - but the Lord Joshua 6:2 - the king Ruth 1:15 - her gods 2 Kings 1:2 - god 2 Kings 23:13 - Chemosh 2 Chronicles 20:11 - to cast us Jeremiah 48:13 - ashamed
25.
And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,
Balak: Numbers 22:2-21, Deuteronomy 23:3, Deuteronomy 23:4, Joshua 24:9, Joshua 24:10, Micah 6:5
Reciprocal: Numbers 22:4 - And Balak
26.
While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?
Heshbon: Numbers 21:25-30, Deuteronomy 2:24, Deuteronomy 3:2, Deuteronomy 3:6, Joshua 12:2, Joshua 12:5, Joshua 13:10
Aroer: Deuteronomy 2:36
three hundred: Judges 3:11, Judges 3:30, Judges 5:31, Judges 8:28, Judges 9:22, Judges 10:2, Judges 10:3, Judges 10:8, Joshua 11:18, Joshua 23:1
Reciprocal: Numbers 32:3 - Heshbon 1 Kings 6:1 - And it came
27.
Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.
the Judge: Genesis 18:25, 1 Samuel 2:10, Job 9:15, Job 23:7, Psalms 7:11, Psalms 50:6, Psalms 75:7, Psalms 82:8, Psalms 94:2, Psalms 98:9, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Ecclesiastes 12:14, John 5:22, John 5:23, Romans 14:10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 12:23
be judge: Genesis 16:5, Genesis 31:53, 1 Samuel 24:12, 1 Samuel 24:15, Psalms 7:8, Psalms 7:9, 2 Corinthians 11:11
Reciprocal: Judges 12:3 - wherefore 2 Chronicles 20:12 - wilt Job 31:28 - an
28.
Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.
29.
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.
the spirit: Judges 3:10, Judges 6:34, Judges 13:25, Numbers 11:25, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 16:13-15, 1 Chronicles 12:18
Jephthah: "Jephthah seems to have been judge only of north-east Israel."
over Mizpeh: Judges 10:17
Reciprocal: Genesis 31:49 - Mizpah Numbers 27:18 - a man Joshua 13:26 - Ramathmizpeh Judges 11:11 - Mizpeh Judges 11:39 - did with Judges 14:6 - the Spirit 1 Samuel 11:6 - Spirit of God 1 Samuel 22:3 - Mizpeh
30.
And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
Genesis 28:20, Numbers 30:2-16, 1 Samuel 1:11, Ecclesiastes 5:1, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Ecclesiastes 5:4, Ecclesiastes 5:5
Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:2 - When Leviticus 27:28 - no devoted Numbers 21:2 - vowed Numbers 21:34 - for I have Deuteronomy 23:23 - That which Judges 21:1 - There 1 Samuel 14:24 - Cursed Matthew 14:9 - the oath's
31.
Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
whatsoever: etc. Heb. that which cometh forth, which shall come forth
shall surely: Leviticus 27:2, Leviticus 27:3, Leviticus 27:28, Leviticus 27:29, 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:28, 1 Samuel 2:18, 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Samuel 14:44, Psalms 66:13, Psalms 66:14
and I will: or, or I will, etc. Wehaaleetheehoo olah, rather, as Dr. Randolph and others contend, "and I will offer Him (or to Him, i.e., Jehovah) a burnt offering;" for hoo may with much more propriety be referred to the person to whom the sacrifice was to be made, than to the thing to be sacrificed. Unless understood in this way, or as the marginal reading, it must have been the vow of a heathen or a madman. If a dog, or other uncleaned animal had met him, he could not have made it a burnt offering; or if his neighbour's wife, sons, etc., his vow gave him no right over them. Leviticus 27:11, Leviticus 27:12, Deuteronomy 23:18, Psalms 66:13, Isaiah 66:3
Reciprocal: Genesis 22:2 - and offer Genesis 28:20 - vowed Genesis 28:21 - I come Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow Deuteronomy 23:23 - That which Judges 11:39 - did with Judges 21:1 - There 2 Kings 3:27 - offered him Micah 6:7 - shall Matthew 14:9 - the oath's
32.
So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.
the Lord: Judges 1:4, Judges 2:18, Judges 3:10
33.
And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.
Aroer: Deuteronomy 2:36
Minnith: Situated, according to Eusebius, four miles from Heshbon, towards Philadelphia or Rabbath. Ezekiel 27:17
the plain: or, Abel
34.
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
Mizpeh: Judges 11:11, Judges 10:17
his daughter: Judges 5:1-31, Exodus 15:20, 1 Samuel 18:6, 1 Samuel 18:7, Psalms 68:25, Psalms 148:11, Psalms 148:12, Psalms 150:4, Jeremiah 31:4, Jeremiah 31:13
beside her: or, he had not of his own either son or daughter, Heb. of himself
neither: Zechariah 12:10, Luke 7:12, Luke 8:42, Luke 9:38
Reciprocal: Genesis 14:17 - to Exodus 18:7 - went Judges 21:21 - dance 2 Samuel 1:20 - Philistines 2 Samuel 6:14 - danced Psalms 149:3 - in the dance
35.
And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.
rent his clothes: Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:30, Genesis 37:34, Genesis 37:35, Genesis 42:36-38, 2 Samuel 13:30, 2 Samuel 13:31, 2 Samuel 18:33, Job 1:20
have opened: Leviticus 27:28, Leviticus 27:29, Numbers 30:2-5, Psalms 15:4, Ecclesiastes 5:2-6
I cannot: Judges 21:1-7, 1 Samuel 14:44, 1 Samuel 14:45, Matthew 14:7-9, Acts 23:14
Reciprocal: Genesis 14:22 - unto Numbers 14:6 - rent their clothes Deuteronomy 23:23 - That which Judges 21:6 - repented them Judges 21:18 - sworn 2 Samuel 3:31 - Rend Psalms 66:14 - uttered Proverbs 18:7 - his lips
36.
And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.
forasmuch: Judges 16:28-30, 2 Samuel 18:19, 2 Samuel 18:31, 2 Samuel 19:30, Acts 20:24, Acts 21:13, Romans 16:4, Philippians 2:30
Reciprocal: Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow Psalms 66:14 - uttered Jeremiah 44:17 - whatsoever
37.
And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.
go up and down: Heb. go and go down
bewail: 1 Samuel 1:6, Luke 1:25
38.
And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.
Reciprocal: Song of Solomon 8:13 - the companions
39.
And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,
did with: That Jephthah did not sacrifice his daughter, but consecrated her to the service of God in the tabernacle, in a state of celibacy, will we imagine be evident from the following consideration -
1. Human sacrifices were ever an abomination to Jehovah, of which Jephthah could not be ignorant; and consequently he would neither have made such a vow, nor carried it into execution.
2. We are expressly told - Judges 11:29 that Jephthah was under the influence of the Spirit of God, which would effectually prevent him from embruing his hands in the blood of his own child.
3. He had it in his power to redeem his daughter - Leviticus 27:4, and surely his only child must have been of more value than thirty shekles.
4. Besides, who was to perform the horrid rite? Not Jephthah himself, who was no priest, and in whom it would have been most unnatural and inhuman; and the priests would certainly have dissuaded him from it.
5. The sacred historian informs us, that she bewailed her virginity, that she knew no man, and that the Israelitish women went yearly to comfort or lament with her. Judges 11:31, Leviticus 27:28, Leviticus 27:29, Deuteronomy 12:31, Isaiah 66:3
to his vow: 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:22, 1 Samuel 1:24, 1 Samuel 1:28, 1 Samuel 2:18
custom: or, ordinance
Reciprocal: Genesis 22:2 - and offer Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow 2 Kings 3:27 - offered him Micah 6:7 - shall Matthew 14:9 - the oath's
40.
That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.
yearly: Heb. from year to year
lament: or, to talk with, Judges 5:11
four days: 1 Kings 9:25
Reciprocal: Genesis 49:19 - General