King James Version

What Does Judges 11:34 Mean?

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

Context

32

So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.

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. 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. beside: or, he had not of his own either son or daughter: Heb. of himself

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.

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.

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, literally, *beside him; *but this is only duo to a Hebrew idiom, which is also found in Zechariah 8:10.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 11:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

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