Judges EraOld Testament

Jephthah

Judges 1 Samuel Hebrews

When

c. 1100 BC· In the text

Placed by the story. The date is a rough guide. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

"he opens" · Hebrew

About

A Gileadite, a mighty man of valor, the son of Gilead by a prostitute. Driven out by his father's other sons, he settled in the land of Tob until Ammon made war and the elders of Gilead brought him back and the people made him their head. The Spirit of the Lord came on him. He vowed that if the Lord gave him Ammon, whatever came out of his house to meet him would be the Lord's, offered as a burnt offering. He won, and his only child, a daughter, came out to meet him. Two months later he did with her according to his vow. He judged Israel six years and was buried in Gilead.

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

Judges 11:1

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.Judges 11:1, KJV

Judges 11:30

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,Judges 11:30, KJV

Judges 11:35

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.Judges 11:35, KJV

Judges 12:7

And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.Judges 12:7, KJV

Hebrews 11:32

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:Hebrews 11:32, KJV

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