Judges 11
Overview
11:1 The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should be their head;
11:12 The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain;
11:29 Jephthah's vow;
11:32 His conquest of the Ammonites;
11:34 He performs his vow on his daughter. Verse 1 Jephthah Habakkuk 3:1, called Jephthaea mighty Judges 6:12; 2 Kings 5:1 an harlotHeb. a womanan harlotProbably 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 Verse 2 thrust out Genesis 12:10; Deuteronomy 23:2; Galatians 4:30 a strange Proverbs 2:16, 5:3, 5:20, 6:24-26 Reciprocal Judges 11:1 - an harlot; Acts 7:39 - but Verse 3 from his brethrenHeb. from the face ofTobProbably 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 Habakkuk 3:1
and the Jews who inhabited this district Tubieni, 2; Mac 3:1. 2 Samuel 10:6.vain men Judges 9:4; 1 Samuel 22:2, 27:2, 30:22-24; Job 30:1-10; Acts 17:5 Reciprocal 2 Chronicles 13:7 - vain men Verse 4 am in process of timeHeb. after days. Judges 11:4 Reciprocal 3:31 - Israel; 2 Chronicles 27:5 - the king of the Ammonites Verse 5 made war Judges 10:9, 10:17, 10:18 to fetch 1 Samuel 10:27, 11:6, 11:7, 11:12; Psalm 118:22, 118:23; Acts 7:35-39; 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 10:6 - Ishtob Verse 6 Reciprocal Isaiah 3:6 - a man Verse 7 Did not ye hate Genesis 26:27, 37:27, 45:4, 45:5; Proverbs 17:17; Isaiah 60:14; Acts 7:9-14; Revelation 3:9
Verse 8 the elders Exodus 8:8, 8:28, 9:28, 10:17; 1 Kings 13:6; Luke 17:3, 17:4 we turn Judges 10:18 Reciprocal 11:11 - head; 1 Samuel 11:1 - Nahash; Job 29:25 - chose out Verse 9 If ye bring Numbers 32:20-29 Reciprocal Judges 8:23 - I will Verse 10 The Lord Genesis 21:23, 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5; Jeremiah 29:23, 42:5; Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 11:31 be witnessbe the hearer, Genesis 16:5, 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 Verse 11 head Judges 11:8 uttered 1 Samuel 23:9-12; 1 Kings 3:7-9; 2 Corinthians 3:5; James 1:5, 1:17 Jephthah utteredThat 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, 20:1; 1 Samuel 10:17, 11:15 MizpehThis 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; 11:34 - Mizpeh; 1 Samuel 8:21 - he rehearsed; 2 Samuel 5:3 - before; 1 Chronicles 11:3 - before Verse 12 sent messengersIn 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, 21:21; Deuteronomy 2:26, 20:10, 20:11; Proverbs 25:8, 25:9; Matthew 18:15, 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 Verse 13 Because Israel Numbers 21:24-26; Proverbs 19:5, 19:9 from ArnonThat is, all the land which had belonged to the Amorites and Moabites.Jabbok Genesis 32:22; Deuteronomy 2:37, 3:16 Reciprocal 2:19 - General; Joshua 12:2 - Jabbok; 13:25 - half; 2 Kings 8:6 - Restore all; Jeremiah 49:1 - their king Verse 14 again unto Psalm 120:7; Romans 12:18; Habakkuk 3:1; 1 Peter 3:11
Verse 15 Israel took Numbers 21:13-15, 21:27-30; Deuteronomy 2:9, 2:19; 2 Chronicles 20:10; Acts 24:12, 24:13 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 2:37 - unto the land; 2 Chronicles 26:8 - the Ammonites; Amos 1:13 - and for Verse 16 But whenThe 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, 20:1; Deuteronomy 1:46 Reciprocal Numbers 20:14 - Moses; Zechariah 1:20 - four Verse 17 sent messengers Numbers 20:14-21; Deuteronomy 2:4-8, 2:29 the king 2:9 abode Numbers 20:1, 20:16 Reciprocal 20:20 - Thou shalt; Deuteronomy 1:46 - General Verse 18 went Numbers 20:22, 21:10-13, 33:37-44; Deuteronomy 2:1-8 compassed Numbers 21:4-9 came by 21:11 pitched 21:13, 22:36 Reciprocal 20:21 - wherefore; Deuteronomy 2:8 - And when; 2:24 - the river Arnon; 2:29 - As the children; Joshua 12:1 - from the; Isaiah 16:2 - the fords; Jeremiah 48:20 - Arnon; Zechariah 1:20 - four Verse 19 Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2:26-34, 3:1-17; Joshua 13:8-12 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 2:27 - General Verse 20 Numbers 21:23; Deuteronomy 2:32, Lord God, Nehemiah 9:22; Psalm 135:10-12, 136:17-21, they smote, Numbers 21:24, 21:25; Deuteronomy 2:33, 2:34, so Israel, Joshua 13:15-32 Reciprocal Numbers 20:20 - Thou shalt; Deuteronomy 2:30 - for the Lord; Isaiah 15:4 - Jahaz Verse 21 Reciprocal Exodus 23:31 - deliver the; Numbers 21:24 - Israel; Joshua 6:2 - I have; 2 Chronicles 13:5 - the Lord; 13:16 - God delivered; Amos 2:9 - I the Verse 22 And they Deuteronomy 2:36 from the wildernessFrom Arabia Deserta on the east, to Jordan on the west.Reciprocal Joshua 12:2 - Jabbok Verse 23 Jephthah Reciprocal Genesis 48:22 - Amorite; Joshua 5:1 - all the kings; 2 Chronicles 20:11 - to cast us Verse 24 Wilt not thou possessThis 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, 48:46 whomsoever Deuteronomy 9:4, 9:5, 18:12; Joshua 3:10; Psalm 44:2, 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; 23:13 - Chemosh; 2 Chronicles 20:11 - to cast us; Jeremiah 48:13 - ashamed Verse 25 Balak Numbers 22:2-21; Deuteronomy 23:3, 23:4; Joshua 24:9, 24:10; Micah 6:5 Reciprocal Numbers 22:4 - And Balak Verse 26 Heshbon Numbers 21:25-30; Deuteronomy 2:24, 3:2, 3:6; Joshua 12:2, 12:5, 13:10 Aroer Deuteronomy 2:36 three hundred Judges 3:11, 3:30, 5:31, 8:28, 9:22, 10:2, 10:3, 10:8; Joshua 11:18, 23:1 Reciprocal Numbers 32:3 - Heshbon; 1 Kings 6:1 - And it came Verse 27 the Judge Genesis 18:25; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 9:15, 23:7; Psalm 7:11, 50:6, 75:7, 82:8; 94:2, 98:9; Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:14; John 5:22, 5:23; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:8; Habakkuk 3:1 be judge Genesis 16:5, 31:53; 1 Samuel 24:12, 24:15; Psalm 7:8, 7:9; 2 Corinthians 11:11 Reciprocal Judges 12:3 - wherefore; 2 Chronicles 20:12 - wilt; Job 31:28 - an Verse 28 2 Kings 14:11; Proverbs 16:18
Verse 29 the spirit Judges 3:10, 6:34, 13:25; Numbers 11:25; 1 Samuel 10:10, 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; 11:39 - did with; 14:6 - the Spirit; 1 Samuel 11:6 - Spirit of God; 22:3 - Mizpeh Verse 30 Genesis 28:20; Numbers 30:2-16; 1 Samuel 1:11; Ecclesiastes 5:1, 5:2, 5:4, 5:5 Reciprocal Leviticus 27:2 - When; 27:28 - no devoted; Numbers 21:2 - vowed; 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 Verse 31 whatsoeveretc. Heb. that which cometh forth, which shall come forthshall surely Leviticus 27:2, 27:3, 27:28, 27:29; 1 Samuel 1:11, 1:28, 2:18, 14:24, 14:44; Psalm 66:13, 66:14 and I willor, 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, 27:12; Deuteronomy 23:18; Psalm 66:13; Isaiah 66:3 Reciprocal Genesis 22:2 - and offer; 28:20 - vowed; 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; 21:1 - There; 2 Kings 3:27 - offered him; Micah 6:7 - shall; Matthew 14:9 - the oath's Verse 32 the Lord Judges 1:4, 2:18, 3:10
Verse 33 Aroer Deuteronomy 2:36 MinnithSituated, according to Eusebius, four miles from Heshbon, towards Philadelphia or Rabbath. Ezekiel 27:17 the plainor, Abel
Verse 34 Mizpeh Judges 11:11, 10:17 his daughter 5:1-31; Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6, 18:7; Psalm 68:25, 148:11, 148:12, 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4, 31:13 beside heror, he had not of his own either son or daughter, Heb. of himselfneither Zechariah 12:10; Luke 7:12, 8:42, 9:38 Reciprocal Genesis 14:17 - to; Exodus 18:7 - went; Judges 21:21 - dance; 2 Samuel 1:20 - Philistines; 6:14 - danced; Psalm 149:3 - in the dance Verse 35 rent his clothes Genesis 37:29, 37:30, 37:34, 37:35, 42:36-38; 2 Samuel 13:30, 13:31, 18:33; Job 1:20 have opened Leviticus 27:28, 27:29; Numbers 30:2-5; Psalm 15:4; Ecclesiastes 5:2-6 I cannot Judges 21:1-7; 1 Samuel 14:44, 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; 21:18 - sworn; 2 Samuel 3:31 - Rend; Psalm 66:14 - uttered; Proverbs 18:7 - his lips Verse 36 forasmuch Judges 16:28-30; 2 Samuel 18:19, 18:31, 19:30; Acts 20:24, 21:13; Romans 16:4; Philippians 2:30 Reciprocal Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow; Psalm 66:14 - uttered; Jeremiah 44:17 - whatsoever Verse 37 go up and downHeb. go and go downbewail 1 Samuel 1:6; Luke 1:25
Verse 38 Reciprocal Song of Songs 8:13 - the companions Verse 39 did withThat 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, 27:29; Deuteronomy 12:31; Isaiah 66:3 to his vow 1 Samuel 1:11, 1:22, 1:24, 1:28, 2:18 customor, ordinanceReciprocal 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 Verse 40 yearlyHeb. from year to yearlamentor, to talk with, Judges 5:11 four days 1 Kings 9:25 Reciprocal Genesis 49:19 - General