Verse 1

Introduction

Overview

Judges 11 . 1 , The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites , that he should be their head; Judges 11 . 12 , The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain; Judges 11 . 29 , Jephthah’s vow; Judges 11 . 32 , His conquest of the Ammonites; Judges 11 . 34 , He performs his vow on his daughter.

Jephthah . Hebrews 11 . 32 , called Jephthae

a mighty . Judges 6 . 12 , 2 Kings 5 . 1

an harlot . Heb. a woman

an harlot . Probably zonah should be rendered as in Joshua 2 . 1 , a hostess , or inn-keeper , so Targum of Jonathan , wehoo bar ittetha pundekeetha , "and he was the son of a woman , a tavern-keeper." She was very probably a Canaanite , as she is called , Judges 11 . 2 , a strange woman , ishah achereth , "a woman of another race;" and on this account his brethren drove him from the family , as not having a full right to the inheritance.

Reciprocal . Genesis 19 . 38 . children 1 Samuel 12 . 11 . Jephthah 1 Kings 3 . 16 . harlots

Verse 2

thrust out . Genesis 12 . 10 , Deuteronomy 23 . 2 , Galatians 4 . 30

a strange . Proverbs 2 . 16 , Proverbs 5 . 3 , Proverbs 5 . 20 , Proverbs 6 . 24-26

Reciprocal . Judges 11 . 1 . an harlot Acts 7 . 39 . but

Verse 3

from his brethren . Heb. from the face of

Tob . Probably the same as Ish-Tob; and appears to have been a part of Syria , near Zobah , Rehob , and Maachah , east of Jordan , and in the most northern part of the portion of Manasseh. If so , it could not be far from Gilead , the country of Jephthah. This country is called Tobie or Tubin , 1; Mac Hebrews 5 . 13 , and the Jews who inhabited this district Tubieni , 2; Mac Hebrews 12 . 17. 2 Samuel 10 . 6.

vain men . Judges 9 . 4 , 1 Samuel 22 . 2 , 1 Samuel 27 . 2 , 1 Samuel 30 . 22-24 , Job 30 . 1-10 , Acts 17 . 5

Reciprocal . 2 Chronicles 13 . 7 . vain men

Verse 4

am 2817 , bc 1187 , An , Ex , Is , 304

in process of time . Heb. after days. Judges 11 . 4

Reciprocal . Judges 3 . 31 . Israel 2 Chronicles 27 . 5 . the king of the Ammonites

Verse 5

made war . Judges 10 . 9 , Judges 10 . 17 , Judges 10 . 18

to fetch . 1 Samuel 10 . 27 , 1 Samuel 11 . 6 , 1 Samuel 11 . 7 , 1 Samuel 11 . 12 , Psalm 118 . 22 , Psalm 118 . 23 , Acts 7 . 35-39 , 1 Corinthians 1 . 27-29

Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 10 . 6 . Ishtob

Verse 6

Reciprocal . Isaiah 3 . 6 . a man

Verse 7

Did not ye hate . Genesis 26 . 27 , Genesis 37 . 27 , Genesis 45 . 4 , Genesis 45 . 5 , Proverbs 17 . 17 , Isaiah 60 . 14 , Acts 7 . 9-14 , Revelation 3 . 9

Verse 8

the elders . Exodus 8 . 8 , Exodus 8 . 28 , Exodus 9 . 28 , Exodus 10 . 17 , 1 Kings 13 . 6 , Luke 17 . 3 , Luke 17 . 4

we turn . Judges 10 . 18

Reciprocal . Judges 11 . 11 . head 1 Samuel 11 . 1 . Nahash Job 29 . 25 . chose out

Verse 9

If ye bring . Numbers 32 . 20-29

Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 23 . I will

Verse 10

The Lord . Genesis 21 . 23 , Genesis 31 . 50 , 1 Samuel 12 . 5 , Jeremiah 29 . 23 , Jeremiah 42 . 5 , Romans 1 . 9 , 2 Corinthians 11 . 31

be witness . be the hearer , Genesis 16 . 5 , Genesis 31 . 53 , Deuteronomy 1 . 16 , 1 Samuel 24 . 12

if we do . Exodus 20 . 7 , Zechariah 5 . 4 , Malachi 3 . 5

Reciprocal . Judges 12 . 4 . and the men Malachi 2 . 14 . the Lord

Verse 11

head . Judges 11 . 8

uttered . 1 Samuel 23 . 9-12 , 1 Kings 3 . 7-9 , 2 Corinthians 3 . 5 , James 1 . 5 , James 1 . 17

Jephthah uttered . That is , upon his elevation , he immediately retired to his devotion , and in prayer spread the whole matter before God , both his choice to the office , and his execution of the office , as one that had his eye ever toward the Lord , and would do nothing without him; that leaned not to his own understanding or courage , but depended on the Almighty God , and his favour. This is an ensample worthy of universal imitation; in All Our Ways , whether great or apparently subordinate , let us acknowledge God and seek his direction. So shall we make our way prosperous , and obtain that peace which passeth all understanding. Jephthah opened his campaign with prayer.

before . Judges 10 . 17 , Judges 20 . 1 , 1 Samuel 10 . 17 , 1 Samuel 11 . 15

Mizpeh . This Mizpeh was east of Jordan in the mountains of Gilead . Genesis 31 . 49 ,and hence called Mizpeh of Gilead . Judges 11 . 29 ,to distinguish it from another place of the same name , west of Jordan , in the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15 . 38

Reciprocal . Numbers 30 . 2 . vow a vow Joshua 13 . 26 . Ramathmizpeh Judges 10 . 18 . he shall be Judges 11 . 34 . Mizpeh 1 Samuel 8 . 21 . he rehearsed 2 Samuel 5 . 3 . before 1 Chronicles 11 . 3 . before

Verse 12

sent messengers . In this Jephthah acted in accordance with the law of Moses; and hence the justice of his cause would appear more forcibly to the people. Numbers 20 . 14 , Numbers 21 . 21 , Deuteronomy 2 . 26 , Deuteronomy 20 . 10 , Deuteronomy 20 . 11 , Proverbs 25 . 8 , Proverbs 25 . 9 , Matthew 18 . 15 , Matthew 18 . 16

What hast . 2 Kings 14 . 8-12

Reciprocal . Judges 12 . 2 . I and my 2 Samuel 10 . 1 . king Nehemiah 4 . 7 . the Ammonites Joel 3 . 4 . and what

Verse 13

Because Israel . Numbers 21 . 24-26, Proverbs 19 . 5 , Proverbs 19 . 9

from Arnon . That is , all the land which had belonged to the Amorites and Moabites.

Jabbok . Genesis 32 . 22 , Deuteronomy 2 . 37 , Deuteronomy 3 . 16

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 2 . 19 . General Joshua 12 . 2 . Jabbok Joshua 13 . 25 . half 2 Kings 8 . 6 . Restore all Jeremiah 49 . 1 . their king

Verse 14

again unto . Psalm 120 . 7 , Romans 12 . 18 , Hebrews 12 . 14 , 1 Peter 3 . 11

Verse 15

Israel took . Numbers 21 . 13-15 , Numbers 21 . 27-30 , Deuteronomy 2 . 9 , Deuteronomy 2 . 19 , 2 Chronicles 20 . 10 , Acts 24 . 12 , Acts 24 . 13

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 2 . 37 . unto the land 2 Chronicles 26 . 8 . the Ammonites Amos 1 . 13 . and for

Verse 16

But when . The whole of these messages shew , Jephthah had well studied the book of Moses. His arguments also are very clear and cogent , and his demands reasonable; for he only required that the Ammonites should cease to harass a people who had neither injured them , nor intended to do so.

walked . Numbers 14 . 25 , Deuteronomy 1 . 40 , Joshua 5 . 6

came . Genesis 14 . 7 , Numbers 13 . 26 , Numbers 20 . 1 , Deuteronomy 1 . 46

Reciprocal . Numbers 20 . 14 . Moses Zechariah 1 . 20 . four

Verse 17

sent messengers . Numbers 20 . 14-21 , Deuteronomy 2 . 4-8 , Deuteronomy 2 . 29

the king . Deuteronomy 2 . 9

abode . Numbers 20 . 1 , Numbers 20 . 16

Reciprocal . Numbers 20 . 20 . Thou shalt Deuteronomy 1 . 46 . General

Verse 18

went . Numbers 20 . 22 , Numbers 21 . 10-13 , Numbers 33 . 37-44 , Deuteronomy 2 . 1-8

compassed . Numbers 21 . 4-9

came by . Numbers 21 . 11

pitched . Numbers 21 . 13 , Numbers 22 . 36

Reciprocal . Numbers 20 . 21 . wherefore Deuteronomy 2 . 8 . And when Deuteronomy 2 . 24 . the river Arnon Deuteronomy 2 . 29 . As the children Joshua 12 . 1 . from the Isaiah 16 . 2 . the fords Jeremiah 48 . 20 . Arnon Zechariah 1 . 20 . four

Verse 19

Numbers 21 . 21-35 , Deuteronomy 2 . 26-34 , Deuteronomy 3 . 1-17, Joshua 13 . 8-12

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 2 . 27 . General

Verse 20

Numbers 21 . 23 , Deuteronomy 2 . 32 , Lord God , Nehemiah 9 . 22 , Psalm 135 . 10-12 , Psalm 136 . 17-21 , they smote , Numbers 21 . 24 , Numbers 21 . 25 , Deuteronomy 2 . 33 , Deuteronomy 2 . 34 , so Israel , Joshua 13 . 15-32

Reciprocal . Numbers 20 . 20 . Thou shalt Deuteronomy 2 . 30 . for the Lord Isaiah 15 . 4 . Jahaz

Verse 21

Reciprocal . Exodus 23 . 31 . deliver the Numbers 21 . 24 . Israel Joshua 6 . 2 . I have 2 Chronicles 13 . 5 . the Lord 2 Chronicles 13 . 16 . God delivered Amos 2 . 9 . I the

Verse 22

And they . Deuteronomy 2 . 36

from the wilderness . From Arabia Deserta on the east , to Jordan on the west.

Reciprocal . Joshua 12 . 2 . Jabbok

Verse 23

Jephthah shews that the Israelites did not take the land of the Moabites or Ammonites , but that of the Amorites , which they had conquered from Sihon their king; and although the Amorites had taken the lands in question from the Ammonites , yet the title by which Israel held them was good , because they took them , not from the Ammonites , but from the Amorites.

Reciprocal . Genesis 48 . 22 . Amorite Joshua 5 . 1 . all the kings 2 Chronicles 20 . 11 . to cast us

Verse 24

Wilt not thou possess . This is simply an argumentum ad hominem; in which Jephthah argues on this principles recognized by the king of Ammon. As if he had said , "You suppose that the land which you possess was given you by your god Chemosh; and therefore will not relinquish what you believe you hold by a divine right. Now we know that Jehovah , our God , has given us the land of the Israelites; and therefore we will not give it up."

Chemosh . Numbers 21 . 29 , 1 Kings 11 . 7 , Jeremiah 48 . 7 , Jeremiah 48 . 46

whomsoever . Deuteronomy 9 . 4 , Deuteronomy 9 . 5 , Deuteronomy 18 . 12 , Joshua 3 . 10 , Psalm 44 . 2 , Psalm 78 . 55 , Micah 4 . 5

Reciprocal . Numbers 20 . 21 . wherefore Deuteronomy 2 . 21 . but the Lord Joshua 6 . 2 . the king Ruth 1 . 15 . her gods 2 Kings 1 . 2 . god 2 Kings 23 . 13 . Chemosh 2 Chronicles 20 . 11 . to cast us Jeremiah 48 . 13 . ashamed

Verse 25

Balak . Numbers 22 . 2-21 , Deuteronomy 23 . 3 , Deuteronomy 23 . 4 , Joshua 24 . 9 , Joshua 24 . 10 , Micah 6 . 5

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 4 . And Balak

Verse 26

Heshbon . Numbers 21 . 25-30 , Deuteronomy 2 . 24 , Deuteronomy 3 . 2 , Deuteronomy 3 . 6 , Joshua 12 . 2 , Joshua 12 . 5 , Joshua 13 . 10

Aroer . Deuteronomy 2 . 36

three hundred . Judges 3 . 11 , Judges 3 . 30 , Judges 5 . 31 , Judges 8 . 28 , Judges 9 . 22 , Judges 10 . 2 , Judges 10 . 3 , Judges 10 . 8 , Joshua 11 . 18 , Joshua 23 . 1

Reciprocal . Numbers 32 . 3 . Heshbon 1 Kings 6 . 1 . And it came

Jephthah . "Jephthah seems to have been judge only of north-east Israel."

over Mizpeh . Judges 10 . 17

Reciprocal . Genesis 31 . 49 . Mizpah Numbers 27 . 18 . a man Joshua 13 . 26 . Ramathmizpeh Judges 11 . 11 . Mizpeh Judges 11 . 39 . did with Judges 14 . 6 . the Spirit 1 Samuel 11 . 6 . Spirit of God 1 Samuel 22 . 3 . Mizpeh

Verse 30

Genesis 28 . 20 , Numbers 30 . 2-16, 1 Samuel 1 . 11 , Ecclesiastes 5 . 1 , Ecclesiastes 5 . 2 , Ecclesiastes 5 . 4 , Ecclesiastes 5 . 5

Reciprocal . Leviticus 27 . 2 . When Leviticus 27 . 28 . no devoted Numbers 21 . 2 . vowed Numbers 21 . 34 . for I have Deuteronomy 23 . 23 . That which Judges 21 . 1 . There 1 Samuel 14 . 24 . Cursed Matthew 14 . 9 . the oath's

Verse 31

whatsoever . etc. Heb. that which cometh forth , which shall come forth

shall surely . Leviticus 27 . 2 , Leviticus 27 . 3 , Leviticus 27 . 28 , Leviticus 27 . 29 , 1 Samuel 1 . 11 , 1 Samuel 1 . 28 , 1 Samuel 2 . 18 , 1 Samuel 14 . 24 , 1 Samuel 14 . 44 , Psalm 66 . 13 , Psalm 66 . 14

and I will . or , or I will , etc. Wehaaleetheehoo olah , rather , as Dr. Randolph and others contend , "and I will offer Him (or to Him , i.e. , Jehovah) a burnt offering;" for hoo may with much more propriety be referred to the person to whom the sacrifice was to be made , than to the thing to be sacrificed. Unless understood in this way , or as the marginal reading , it must have been the vow of a heathen or a madman. If a dog , or other uncleaned animal had met him , he could not have made it a burnt offering; or if his neighbour's wife , sons , etc. , his vow gave him no right over them. Leviticus 27 . 11 , Leviticus 27 . 12 , Deuteronomy 23 . 18 , Psalm 66 . 13 , Isaiah 66 . 3

Reciprocal . Genesis 22 . 2 . and offer Genesis 28 . 20 . vowed Genesis 28 . 21 . I come Leviticus 5 . 4 . to do evil Numbers 30 . 2 . vow a vow Deuteronomy 23 . 23 . That which Judges 11 . 39 . did with Judges 21 . 1 . There 2 Kings 3 . 27 . offered him Micah 6 . 7 . shall Matthew 14 . 9 . the oath's

Verse 32

the Lord . Judges 1 . 4 , Judges 2 . 18 , Judges 3 . 10

Verse 33

Aroer . Deuteronomy 2 . 36

Minnith . Situated , according to Eusebius , four miles from Heshbon , towards Philadelphia or Rabbath. Ezekiel 27 . 17

the plain . or , Abel

Verse 34

Mizpeh . Judges 11 . 11 , Judges 10 . 17

his daughter . Judges 5 . 1-31 , Exodus 15 . 20 , 1 Samuel 18 . 6 , 1 Samuel 18 . 7 , Psalm 68 . 25 , Psalm 148 . 11 , Psalm 148 . 12 , Psalm 150 . 4 , Jeremiah 31 . 4 , Jeremiah 31 . 13

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

neither . Zechariah 12 . 10 , Luke 7 . 12 , Luke 8 . 42 , Luke 9 . 38

Reciprocal . Genesis 14 . 17 . to Exodus 18 . 7 . went Judges 21 . 21 . dance 2 Samuel 1 . 20 . Philistines 2 Samuel 6 . 14 . danced Psalm 149 . 3 . in the dance

Verse 35

rent his clothes . Genesis 37 . 29 , Genesis 37 . 30 , Genesis 37 . 34 , Genesis 37 . 35 , Genesis 42 . 36-38 , 2 Samuel 13 . 30 , 2 Samuel 13 . 31 , 2 Samuel 18 . 33 , Job 1 . 20

have opened . Leviticus 27 . 28 , Leviticus 27 . 29 , Numbers 30 . 2-5 , Psalm 15 . 4 , Ecclesiastes 5 . 2-6

I cannot . Judges 21 . 1-7 , 1 Samuel 14 . 44 , 1 Samuel 14 . 45 , Matthew 14 . 7-9 , Acts 23 . 14

Reciprocal . Genesis 14 . 22 . unto Numbers 14 . 6 . rent their clothes Deuteronomy 23 . 23 . That which Judges 21 . 6 . repented them Judges 21 . 18 . sworn 2 Samuel 3 . 31 . Rend Psalm 66 . 14 . uttered Proverbs 18 . 7 . his lips

Verse 36

forasmuch . Judges 16 . 28-30 , 2 Samuel 18 . 19 , 2 Samuel 18 . 31 , 2 Samuel 19 . 30 , Acts 20 . 24 , Acts 21 . 13 , Romans 16 . 4 , Philippians 2 . 30

Reciprocal . Numbers 30 . 2 . vow a vow Psalm 66 . 14 . uttered Jeremiah 44 . 17 . whatsoever

Verse 37

go up and down . Heb. go and go down

bewail . 1 Samuel 1 . 6 , Luke 1 . 25

Verse 38

Reciprocal . Song of Solomon 8 . 13 . the companions

Verse 39

did with . That Jephthah did not sacrifice his daughter , but consecrated her to the service of God in the tabernacle , in a state of celibacy , will we imagine be evident from the following consideration .

Human sacrifices were ever an abomination to Jehovah , of which Jephthah could not be ignorant; and consequently he would neither have made such a vow , nor carried it into execution.

We are expressly told . Judges 11 . 29 that Jephthah was under the influence of the Spirit of God , which would effectually prevent him from embruing his hands in the blood of his own child.

He had it in his power to redeem his daughter . Leviticus 27 . 4 , and surely his only child must have been of more value than thirty shekles.

Besides , who was to perform the horrid rite? Not Jephthah himself , who was no priest , and in whom it would have been most unnatural and inhuman; and the priests would certainly have dissuaded him from it.

The sacred historian informs us , that she bewailed her virginity , that she knew no man , and that the Israelitish women went yearly to comfort or lament with her. Judges 11 . 31 , Leviticus 27 . 28 , Leviticus 27 . 29 , Deuteronomy 12 . 31 , Isaiah 66 . 3

to his vow . 1 Samuel 1 . 11 , 1 Samuel 1 . 22 , 1 Samuel 1 . 24 , 1 Samuel 1 . 28 , 1 Samuel 2 . 18

custom . or , ordinance

Reciprocal . Genesis 22 . 2 . and offer Numbers 30 . 2 . vow a vow 2 Kings 3 . 27 . offered him Micah 6 . 7 . shall Matthew 14 . 9 . the oath's

Verse 40

yearly . Heb. from year to year

lament . or , to talk with , Judges 5 . 11

four days . 1 Kings 9 . 25

Reciprocal . Genesis 49 . 19 . General