King James Version

What Does Judges 11:40 Mean?

Judges 11:40 in the King James Version says “That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. yearly: H...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Judges 11:40 · KJV

Context

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
That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.

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 · 12 words
יָמִ֖ים1 of 12

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יָמִ֖ים2 of 12

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

תֵּלַ֙כְנָה֙3 of 12
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְבַת4 of 12

“That the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל5 of 12

“of Israel”

H3478

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

לְתַנּ֕וֹת6 of 12

“to lament”

H8567

to ascribe (praise), i.e., celebrate, commemorate

לְבַת7 of 12

“That the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יִפְתָּ֖ח8 of 12

“of Jephthah”

H3316

jiphtach, an israelite; also a place in palestine

הַגִּלְעָדִ֑י9 of 12

“the Gileadite”

H1569

a giladite or descendant of gilad

אַרְבַּ֥עַת10 of 12

“four”

H702

four

יָמִ֖ים11 of 12

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בַּשָּׁנָֽה׃12 of 12

“in a year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

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 11:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

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