Jephthah
Also known as: Jephthae
Judge · The Rash Vow
Key Events
- 1Driven out by half-brothers — son of a prostitute
- 2Became mighty warrior and leader of outcasts
- 3Made a rash vow before battle with Ammonites
- 4His daughter came out to meet him — first through the door
- 5"Did with her according to his vow" — debated interpretation
- 6Listed in Hebrews 11 heroes of faith
What Scripture Says (25 verses)
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.
Judges · Chapter 11
And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.
Judges · Chapter 11
Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
Judges · Chapter 11
And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
Judges · Chapter 11
And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
Judges · Chapter 11
And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?
Judges · Chapter 11
And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
Judges · Chapter 11
And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?
Judges · Chapter 11
And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.
Judges · Chapter 11
Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.
Judges · Chapter 11
Showing 10 of 25 verses
Church Tradition
Death
Not specifically recorded
Source: Judges 12:7