What Does Judges 11:8 Mean?

“said”

to say (used with great latitude)

“And the elders”

old

“of Gilead”

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

near, with or among; often in general, to

“unto Jephthah”

jiphtach, an israelite; also a place in palestine

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

“Therefore we turn again”

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

near, with or among; often in general, to

“to thee now that thou mayest go”

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

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

“with us and fight”

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

“against the children”

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

“of Ammon”

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

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

“and be our head”

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

“over all the inhabitants”

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

“of Gilead”

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites