King James Version

What Does Judges 11:39 Mean?

Judges 11:39 in the King James Version says “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 w...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Judges 11:39 · KJV

Context

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: Heb. go and go down

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.

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, custom: or, ordinance

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 to lament: or, to talk with

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Commentary

KJV Study 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,

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 judgment through foreign oppression, Israel's cry for deliverance, God raising up a judge, temporary peace, then renewed apostasy after the judge dies.

Theologically, this pattern demonstrates several crucial truths: (1) Human inability to maintain covenant faithfulness apart from God's transforming grace; (2) God's justice in punishing covenant violation through the curses of Deuteronomy 28; (3) God's mercy in responding to repentant cries with deliverance; (4) The inadequacy of repeated deliverances to produce lasting transformation, pointing to the need for the New Covenant with God's law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

The judges themselves foreshadow Christ—they are divinely appointed deliverers who save Israel from enemies. Yet their imperfections and temporary victories point to the need for the perfect Judge who would provide permanent deliverance. Jesus fulfills the judges' typology, being the ultimate "sent one" who conquers spiritual enemies definitively through His death and resurrection, providing eternal salvation rather than temporary political relief.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיְהִ֞י1 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִקֵּ֣ץ׀2 of 20

“And it came to pass at the end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

שְׁנַ֣יִם3 of 20

“of two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

חֳדָשִׁ֗ים4 of 20

“months”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

וַתָּ֙שָׁב֙5 of 20

“that she returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל6 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִ֔יהָ7 of 20

“unto her father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ8 of 20

“who did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָ֔הּ9 of 20
H0
אֶת10 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נִדְר֖וֹ11 of 20

“with her according to his vow”

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָדָ֑ר13 of 20

“which he had vowed”

H5087

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

וְהִיא֙14 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לֹֽא15 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדְעָ֣ה16 of 20

“and she knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אִ֔ישׁ17 of 20

“no man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַתְּהִי18 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

חֹ֖ק19 of 20

“And it was a custom”

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃20 of 20

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

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 11:39 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

Verses related to Judges 11:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 66:3Judges 11:31Leviticus 27:28-291 Samuel 1:241 Samuel 1:111 Samuel 1:28

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