King James Version
Judges 11
40 verses with commentary
Jephthah Becomes Leader
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot : and Gilead begat Jephthah. Jephthah: called Jephte an harlot: Heb. a woman an harlot
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usua...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **The son of an harlot.**—The words are so rendered in all the versions, and can hardly have any other meaning. If an inferior wife had been meant, the word used would not have been *zonah, *but *pilgesh, *as in Judges 8:31. The word may, however, be used in the harsh sense of the brethren of Jephthah, without being strictly accurate. (Comp. 1Chronicles 2:26.)
**Gilead begat Jephthah.**—We are...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing bo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **They thrust out Jephthah.**—This was in perfect accordance with the law (Deuteronomy 23:2-3), and with family rules and traditions. Abraham had sent the son of Hagar and the sons of Keturah to found other settlements (Genesis 21:10; Genesis 25:6).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go--**His somewhat singular request to be accompanied by Deborah was not altogether the result of weakness. The Orientals always take what is dearest to the battlefield along with them; they think it makes them fight better. The policy of Barak, then, to have the presence of the prophetess is perfectly intelligible as it would no less ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →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: Heb. from the face
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with I...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Dwelt in the land of Tob.**—A Syrian district on the north-east of Peræa (2Samuel 10:6). It is referred to in 1 Maccabees 5:13; 2 Maccabees 12:17. The name means “good,” but lends no sanction to the idle allegories which have been based upon it.
**Vain men.**—Judges 9:4.
**Went out with him.**—Jephthah simply became a sort of Syrian freebooter. His half-heathen origin, no doubt, influenced h...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman--**This was a prediction which Barak could not understand at the time; but the strain of it conveyed a rebuke of his unmanly fears.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel. in process: Heb. after days
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually Baal worship), foll...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **In process of time.**—Marg., *after days, *implying the time between Jephthah’s expulsion in early youth and his mature manhood.
**The children of Ammon made war.**—The fact that this is introduced as a new circumstance, though it has been fully related in Judges 10:8-9; Judges 10:17-18, probably arises from the use of some new, and probably Gileadite, document in these two chapters.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →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:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins wit...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **When the children of Ammon made war.**—The allusion is to some special threat of invasion (*acriter instantibus, *Vulg.) at the close of the eighteen years of oppression (Judges 10:9).
**To fetch Jephthah.**—Because by this time he had made himself a great name as a brave and successful chieftain of marauders, who would doubtless come with him to lead the Gileadites.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. Now Heber the Kenite ... pitched his tent--**It is not uncommon, even in the present day, for pastoral tribes to feed their flocks on the extensive commons that lie in the heart of inhabited countries in the East (see on Jud 1:16).
**plain of Zaanaim--**This is a mistranslation for "the oaks of the wanderers." The site of the encampment was under a grove of oaks, or terebinths, in the upla...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually Baal worsh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Our captain.**—The word used is *katzin *(Joshua 10:24; Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 22:3), which is specially a leader in time of war; but Jephthah demands something more—namely, to be their “head” (*rosh*) in time of peace also.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →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?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Did not ye hate me?**—The elders of Gilead must at least have permitted his expulsion by his brethren.
**Therefore.**—i.e., with the express desire to repair the old wrong.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. the river of Kishon--**The plain on its bank was chosen as the battlefield by Sisera himself, who was unconsciously drawn thither for the ruin of his army.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, reveal...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. Barak went down from mount Tabor--**It is a striking proof of the full confidence Barak and his troops reposed in Deborah's assurance of victory, that they relinquished their advantageous position on the hill and rushed into the plain in face of the iron chariots they so much dreaded.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →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?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Shall I be your head?—**We must not be surprised if Jephthah does not display a disinterested patriotism. He was only half an Israelite; he had been wronged by his father’s kin; he had spent long years of his manhood among heathens and outlaws, who gained their livelihood by brigandage or mercenary warfare. “As Gideon is the highest pitch of greatness to which this period reaches,” says Dean...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. the Lord discomfited Sisera--**Hebrew, "threw his army into confusion"; men, horses, and chariots being intermingled in wild confusion. The disorder was produced by a supernatural panic (see on Jud 5:20).
**so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet--**His chariot being probably distinguished by its superior size and elegance, would betray the rank of its rider,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words. witness: Heb. the hearer between us
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (us...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **The Lord be witness.**—Rather, *be hearing *(*Dominus, qui haec audit ipse Mediator ac testis sit, *Vulg.).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. But Barak pursued ... unto Harosheth--**Broken and routed, the main body of Sisera's army fled northward; others were forced into the Kishon and drowned (see on Jud 5:21).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. E...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **The people made him head and captain.**—The people ratified the promise of the elders, and solemnly inaugurated him as both the civil and military leader of the Trans-jordanic tribes.
**Uttered all his words.**—It probably means that he took some oath as to the condition of his government.
**Before the Lord in Mizpeh.**—Some have supposed that this must mean that the oath was taken before t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-18. Sisera fled ... to the tent of Jael--**According to the usages of nomadic people, the duty of receiving the stranger in the sheik's absence devolves on his wife, and the moment the stranger is admitted into his tent, his claim to be defended or concealed from his pursuers is established.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Jephtah and the Gileadites.(1-11)
He attempts to make peace.(12-28)
Jephthah's vow. He vanquishes the Ammonites.(29-40)
**Verses 1-11**
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success...
Read full commentary →Jephthah's Message to Ammon
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?
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Eac...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **What hast thou to do with me?**—Literally, *What to me and to thee? *(Joshua 22:24; 2Samuel 16:10, &c.). Jephthah speaks in the name of Israel, as an acknowledged prince. His message resembles the preliminary negotiations of the Roman generals when they sent the Fetiales to proclaim the justice of their cause (*Liv. *i. 24).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-18. Sisera fled ... to the tent of Jael--**According to the usages of nomadic people, the duty of receiving the stranger in the sheik's absence devolves on his wife, and the moment the stranger is admitted into his tent, his claim to be defended or concealed from his pursuers is established.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical patt...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Because Israel took away my land.**—This was a very plausible plea, but was not in accordance with facts. The Israelites had been distinctly forbidden to war against the Moabites and Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:9; Deuteronomy 2:19); but when Sibon, king of the Amorites, had refused them permission to pass peaceably through his land, and had even come out to battle against them, they had defeat...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. she ... gave him drink, and covered him--**Sisera reckoned on this as a pledge of his safety, especially in the tent of a friendly sheik. This pledge was the strongest that could be sought or obtained, after he had partaken of refreshments, and been introduced in the inner or women's apartment.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually Baal worship), followed by God's jud...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14, 15) **And Jephthah sent messengers again.**—Jephthah disputes the king of Amnion’s facts, and supports his denial of them by an historic retrospect (Judges 11:16-24).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. he said unto her, ... when any man doth come and enquire of thee and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No--**The privacy of the harem, even in a tent, cannot be intruded on without express permission.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (u...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Took not away the land of Moab . . .**—What they took was the territory of Sihon, which they had never been forbidden to take, and had indeed been forced to take by Sihon’s attack on them. It was not likely that they could enter into discussion as ‘to the *previous *owners of the land.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. Then Jael took a nail of the tent--**most probably one of the pins with which the tent ropes are fastened to the ground. Escape was almost impossible for Sisera. But the taking of his life by the hand of Jael was murder. It was a direct violation of all the notions of honor and friendship that are usually held sacred among pastoral people, and for which it is impossible to conceive a woman i...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually Baa...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **When Israel came up from Egypt.**—Compare with this narrative Numbers 20, 21.
**Walked through the wilderness.**—In the second year of the wanderings (Deuteronomy 1:19).
**Unto the Red sea.**—Numbers 14:25. The name for this sea in the Old Testament is *Yam sooph, “*the sea of weeds.” They reached Kadesh Barnea from Ezion Geber (“the Giant’s backbone”), in the Gulf of Akaba (Numbers 33:36)....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **Unto the king of Edom.**—As narrated in Numbers 20:14, *seq. *Even if Jephthah had no written documents before him to which he could refer, the events which he recounts were not so distant as to have been forgotten.
**Unto the king of Moab.**—This is not recorded in the Pentateuch, but the Israelites did not enter the territory of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:9; Deuteronomy 2:36). The Arnon bounded ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israe...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine me...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Unto Sihon.**—Numbers 21:21; Deuteronomy 2:26-29 (where see the Commentary).
**The King of Heshbon.**—He was king of the Aniorites by birth, but king of Heshbon only by conquest. The town was assigned to Reuben (Numbers 32:37).
**Into my place.**—The conquest of the territories of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh had not entered into the original plan of Israel, but had been providentially de...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle b...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Trusted not Israel.**—Sihon did not believe their promise to pass peacefully through his land.
**Pitched in Jahaz.**—Numbers 21:33; Isaiah 15:4; Jeremiah 48:3. The site of the battle has not been ascertained.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 5 Jud 5:1-31. Deborah and Barak's Song of Thanksgiving.
**1. Then sang Deborah and Barak ... on that day--**This noble triumphal ode was evidently the composition of Deborah herself.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both huma...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **The Lord God of Israel.**—This is evidently a cardinal point in the mind of Jephthah. The God of Israel has decided against the gods of Ammon.
**All the land of the Amorites.**—All the land, therefore, which they took from the Amorites was theirs by. the immemorial law of nations, irrespective of any who had been its previous owners (Grot., *De Jure Belli, *3:6, § 7).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2-3. The meaning is obscurely seen in our version; it has been better rendered thus, "Praise ye Jehovah; for the free are freed in Israel--**the people have willingly offered themselves" [Robinson].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2-3. The meaning is obscurely seen in our version; it has been better rendered thus, "Praise ye Jehovah; for the free are freed in Israel--**the people have willingly offered themselves" [Robinson].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing ev...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **Shouldest thou possess it?**—Is it likely that Israel would fight battles solely to benefit Ammon and Moab?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-5. Allusion is here made, in general terms, to God's interposition on behalf of His people.
**Seir ... the field of Edom--**represent the mountain range and plain extending along the south from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf.
**thou wentest out--**indicates the storm to have proceeded from the south or southeast.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Eac...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Chemosh thy god.**—The expression shows the close connection between Ammon and Moab. Chemosh was distinctively the god of Moab, and Moloch of Ammon; but the two nations were of kindred blood and allied institutions (Judges 3:12-13). The name Chemosh means “subduer,” and there is here, perhaps, a tacit reference to the wild popular song of triumph over the conquest of Heshbon, in which Chemo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-5. Allusion is here made, in general terms, to God's interposition on behalf of His people.
**Seir ... the field of Edom--**represent the mountain range and plain extending along the south from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf.
**thou wentest out--**indicates the storm to have proceeded from the south or southeast.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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,</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle be...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **Art thou anything better than Balak?**—Literally, *Are you the good, good in comparison with? *It is one of the Hebrew ways of expressing the superlative. Jephthah here argues from prescriptive right, which even the contemporary king Balak had not ventured to challenge, showing, therefore, that he admitted the claim of Israel, deadly as was his hatred against them.
**Did he ever fight again...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6-8. The song proceeds in these verses to describe the sad condition of the country, the oppression of the people, and the origin of all the national distress in the people's apostasy from God. Idolatry was the cause of foreign invasion and internal inability to resist it.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **While Israel dwelt in Heshbon.**—See Numbers 21:25. This is an argument from undisputed possession.
**In Aroer and her towns.**—These had been assigned to the tribe of Gad (Numbers 32:34).
**In all the cities that be along by the coast of Arnon.**—The LXX. read Jordan.
**Three hundred years.**—There is an almost insuperable difficulty in making out any reasonable scheme of chronology even b...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6-8. The song proceeds in these verses to describe the sad condition of the country, the oppression of the people, and the origin of all the national distress in the people's apostasy from God. Idolatry was the cause of foreign invasion and internal inability to resist it.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **The Lord the Judge be judge this day.**—An appeal to the arbitrament of Jehovah to decide on the justice of an appeal to arms. (Comp. Genesis 16:5; Genesis 31:53; Genesis 18:25; 1Samuel 24:15.)
These verses contain a deeply interesting specimen of what may be called ancient diplomacy, and very powerful and straightforward it is—at once honest, conciliatory, and firm. Jephthah maintains the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6-8. The song proceeds in these verses to describe the sad condition of the country, the oppression of the people, and the origin of all the national distress in the people's apostasy from God. Idolatry was the cause of foreign invasion and internal inability to resist it.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually Baal wors...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28) **Hearkened not.**—We are not told of any counter-arguments. Probably the king of Ammon cared only for the argument of the sword—
“The good old rule
Contented him, the simple plan
That they should get who have the power,
And they should keep who can.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9. expresses gratitude to the respective leaders of the tribes which participated in the contest; but, above all, to God, who inspired both the patriotic disposition and the strength.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-28**
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith,...
Read full commentary →Jephthah's Vow and Victory
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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both hum...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah.**—A weaker expression is used than that which is applied to Gideon in Judges 6:34. It implies, as R. Tanchum rightly says, that he was endowed with the courage and wisdom without which success would have been impossible. The phrase no more involves a complete inspiration of Jephthah than it does in the case of Samson; nor is it meant to imply the l...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. Speak--**that is, join in this song of praise.
**white asses--**Those which are purely white are highly prized, and being costly, are possessed only by the wealthy and great.
**Ye that sit in judgment--**has been rendered, "ye that repose on tapestries."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing e...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **Jephthah vowed a vow.**—This was a practice among all ancient nations, but specially among the Jews (Genesis 28:20-22; 1Samuel 1:11; 2Samuel 15:8; Psalm 66:13).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-14. The wells which are at a little distance from towns in the East, are, in unsettled times, places of danger. But in peace they are scenes of pleasant and joyous resort. The poetess anticipates that this song may be sung, and the righteous acts of the Lord rehearsed at these now tranquil "places of drawing water." Deborah now rouses herself to describe, in terms suitable to the occasion, th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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: Heb. that which cometh forth, which shall come forth and: or, or I will offer it, etc
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, re...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **Whatsoever cometh forth.**—The true rendering undoubtedly is, *Whosoever cometh forth *(LXX., ὁ ἐκπορευόμενος; Vulg., *quicunque*)*. *Nothing can be clearer than that the view held of this passage, from early Jewish days down to the Middle Ages, and still held by nearly all unbiased commentators, is the true one, and alone adequately explains the text: viz., that Jephthah, ignorant as he wa...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-14. The wells which are at a little distance from towns in the East, are, in unsettled times, places of danger. But in peace they are scenes of pleasant and joyous resort. The poetess anticipates that this song may be sung, and the righteous acts of the Lord rehearsed at these now tranquil "places of drawing water." Deborah now rouses herself to describe, in terms suitable to the occasion, th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (u...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(32) **So.**—Rather, *And. *The clause does not refer in any way to Jephthah’s vow, but merely resumes the narrative.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-14. The wells which are at a little distance from towns in the East, are, in unsettled times, places of danger. But in peace they are scenes of pleasant and joyous resort. The poetess anticipates that this song may be sung, and the righteous acts of the Lord rehearsed at these now tranquil "places of drawing water." Deborah now rouses herself to describe, in terms suitable to the occasion, th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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. the plain: or, Abel
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deli...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(33) **To Minnith.**—According to Eusebius and Jerome, this is Maanith, four miles from Heshbon (Ezekiel 27:17).
**Unto the plain of the vineyards.**—Rather, *unto Abel-ceramim. *The place is either Abela, a few miles beyond Maanith, or another Abela, twelve miles from Gadara (Euseb., Jer.).
**Were subdued before.**—Judges 3:30; Judges 8:28.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-14. The wells which are at a little distance from towns in the East, are, in unsettled times, places of danger. But in peace they are scenes of pleasant and joyous resort. The poetess anticipates that this song may be sung, and the righteous acts of the Lord rehearsed at these now tranquil "places of drawing water." Deborah now rouses herself to describe, in terms suitable to the occasion, th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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. beside: or, he had not of his own either son or daughter: Heb. of himself
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both h...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(34) **Behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances.**—As Miriam went to meet Moses (Exodus 15:20), and the women to meet Saul and David (1Samuel 18:6-7).
**His only child.**—This is added because the narrator feels the full pathos of the story. (Comp. Genesis 22:2; Jeremiah 6:26; Luke 9:38.) The term used (*yechidah*) is peculiarly tender. The “beside *her” *is, literal...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15. Then comes a reproachful notice of the tribes which did not obey the summons to take the field against the common enemy of Israel. By the
**divisions--**that is, the watercourses which descend from the eastern hills unto the Jordan and Dead Sea.
**For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart--**They felt the patriotic impulse and determined, at first, to join the ranks of...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of aposta...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(35) **He rent his clothes.**—Comp. Joshua 7:6. By one of the curious survivals which preserve customs for centuries after the meaning is gone out of them, every Jew on approaching to Jerusalem for the first time has to submit to the *krie*—*i.e., *to a cut made in his sleeve, as a sort of symbol of rending his clothes.
**Thou hast brought me very low.**—Literally, *crushing, thou hast crushed me....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical p...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(36) **And she said unto him.**—To explain this the LXX. add the words, “I have opened my mouth to the Lord *against *or *concerning *thee.” There is, however, no need for the addition. His words would fatally explain themselves, even if he added nothing more.
**If thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord.**—The needless and incorrect insertion of the *if *in the English Version a little weakens t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-18. Gilead abode beyond Jordan--**that is, Both Gad and the eastern half to Manasseh chose to dwell at ease in their Havoth-jair, or "villages of tents," while Dan and Asher, both maritime tribes, continued with their ships and in their "breaches" ("havens"). The mention of these craven tribes (Jud 5:18) is concluded with a fresh burst of commendation on Zebulun and Naphtali.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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: Heb. go and go down
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(37) **Let me alone two months.**—There was nothing which forbade this postponement for a definite purpose and period of the fulfilment of the vow. For the phrase “let me alone,” see Deuteronomy 9:14; 1Samuel 11:3.
**And bewail my virginity.**—The thought which was so grievous to the Hebrew maiden was not death, but to die unwedded and childless. This is the bitterest wail of Antigone also, in the...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-18. Gilead abode beyond Jordan--**that is, Both Gad and the eastern half to Manasseh chose to dwell at ease in their Havoth-jair, or "villages of tents," while Dan and Asher, both maritime tribes, continued with their ships and in their "breaches" ("havens"). The mention of these craven tribes (Jud 5:18) is concluded with a fresh burst of commendation on Zebulun and Naphtali.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Isr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19-22. describes the scene of battle and the issue. It would seem (Jud 5:19) that Jabin was reinforced by the troops of other Canaanite princes. The battlefield was near Taanach (now Ta'annuk), on a tell or mound in the level plain of Megiddo (now Leijun), on its southwestern extremity, by the left bank of the Kishon.
**they took no gain of money--**They obtained no plunder.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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, custom: or, ordinance
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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,</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both huma...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(39) **Who did with her according to his vow.**—In this significant euphemism the narrator drops the veil—as though with a shudder—over the terrible sacrifice. Of course, “did with her according to his vow” can only mean *“*offered her up for a burnt offering” (Judges 11:31). “Some,” says Luther, “affirm that he did not sacrifice her; but the text is clear enough.” The attempt, first started by Ra...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19-22. describes the scene of battle and the issue. It would seem (Jud 5:19) that Jabin was reinforced by the troops of other Canaanite princes. The battlefield was near Taanach (now Ta'annuk), on a tell or mound in the level plain of Megiddo (now Leijun), on its southwestern extremity, by the left bank of the Kishon.
**they took no gain of money--**They obtained no plunder.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →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 to lament: or, to talk with
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(40) **To lament.**—Rabbi Tanchum makes it mean “to praise,” or “celebrate.” The feelings of the Israelites towards Jephthah’s daughter would be much the same as that of the Romans towards Claelia, and of other nations towards heroines whose self-sacrifice has helped them to victory.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19-22. describes the scene of battle and the issue. It would seem (Jud 5:19) that Jabin was reinforced by the troops of other Canaanite princes. The battlefield was near Taanach (now Ta'annuk), on a tell or mound in the level plain of Megiddo (now Leijun), on its southwestern extremity, by the left bank of the Kishon.
**they took no gain of money--**They obtained no plunder.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 29-40**
Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowe...
Read full commentary →