Jephthah Delivers Israel

1  וְיִפְתָּ֣ח (And Jephthah) הַגִּלְעָדִ֗י (the Gileadite) הָיָה֙ (was) גִּבּ֣וֹר (a mighty man) חַ֔יִל (of valor). וְה֖וּא (And he was) בֶּן־ (son) אִשָּׁ֣ה (of a woman), זוֹנָ֑ה (a prostitute). וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (And begat) גִּלְעָ֖ד (Gilead) אֶת־ (-) יִפְתָּֽח׃ (Jephthah). 2  וַתֵּ֧לֶד (And bore) אֵֽשֶׁת־ (the wife) גִּלְעָ֛ד (of Gilead) ל֖וֹ (to him) בָּנִ֑ים (sons), וַיִּגְדְּל֨וּ (and grew up) בְֽנֵי־ (the sons) הָאִשָּׁ֜ה (of his wife), וַיְגָרְשׁ֣וּ (and they drove out) אֶת־ (-) יִפְתָּ֗ח (Jephthah) וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ (and said) לוֹ֙ (to him), לֹֽא־ (Not) תִנְחַ֣ל (you shall have inheritance) בְּבֵית־ (in the house) אָבִ֔ינוּ (of our father); כִּ֛י (for) בֶּן־ (the son) אִשָּׁ֥ה (of woman) אַחֶ֖רֶת (another) אָֽתָּה׃ (you are).

3  וַיִּבְרַ֤ח (And fled) יִפְתָּח֙ (Jephthah) מִפְּנֵ֣י (from) אֶחָ֔יו (his brothers) וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב (and dwelt) בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (in the land) ט֑וֹב (of Tob). וַיִּֽתְלַקְּט֤וּ (And gathered themselves) אֶל־ (to) יִפְתָּח֙ (Jephthah) אֲנָשִׁ֣ים (men) רֵיקִ֔ים (worthless), וַיֵּצְא֖וּ (and went out) עִמּֽוֹ׃פ (with him).

4  וַיְהִ֖י (And it came to pass) מִיָּמִ֑ים (after some days), וַיִּלָּחֲמ֥וּ (that made war) בְנֵֽי־ (the sons) עַמּ֖וֹן (of Ammon) עִם־ (against) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (Israel). 5  וַיְהִ֕י (And it came to pass), כַּאֲשֶׁר־ (when) נִלְחֲמ֥וּ (made war) בְנֵֽי־ (the sons) עַמּ֖וֹן (of Ammon) עִם־ (against) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (Israel), וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ (that went) זִקְנֵ֣י (the elders) גִלְעָ֔ד (of Gilead) לָקַ֥חַת (to get) אֶת־ (-) יִפְתָּ֖ח (Jephthah) מֵאֶ֥רֶץ (from the land) טֽוֹב׃ (of Tob); 6  וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (and they said) לְיִפְתָּ֔ח (to Jephthah), לְכָ֕ה (Come) וְהָיִ֥יתָה (and be) לָּ֖נוּ (our) לְקָצִ֑ין (commander), וְנִֽלָּחֲמָ֖ה (that we may fight) בִּבְנֵ֥י (against the sons) עַמּֽוֹן׃ (of Ammon).

7  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) יִפְתָּח֙ (Jephthah) לְזִקְנֵ֣י (to the elders) גִלְעָ֔ד (of Gilead), הֲלֹ֤א (Did not) אַתֶּם֙ (you⁺) שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם (hate) אוֹתִ֔י (me) וַתְּגָרְשׁ֖וּנִי (and expel me) מִבֵּ֣ית (from the house) אָבִ֑י (of my father)? וּמַדּ֜וּעַ (And why) בָּאתֶ֤ם (have you⁺ come) אֵלַי֙ (to me) עַ֔תָּה (now) כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (when) צַ֥ר (there is distress) לָכֶֽם׃ (to you⁺)?

8  וַיֹּאמְרוּ֩ (And said) זִקְנֵ֨י (the elders) גִלְעָ֜ד (of Gilead) אֶל־ (to) יִפְתָּ֗ח (Jephthah), לָכֵן֙ (Therefore) עַתָּה֙ (now) שַׁ֣בְנוּ (we have turned again) אֵלֶ֔יךָ (to you), וְהָלַכְתָּ֣ (that you may go) עִמָּ֔נוּ (with us) וְנִלְחַמְתָּ֖ (and fight) בִּבְנֵ֣י (against the sons) עַמּ֑וֹן (of Ammon), וְהָיִ֤יתָ (and be) לָּ֙נוּ֙ (our) לְרֹ֔אשׁ (leader) לְכֹ֖ל (over all) יֹשְׁבֵ֥י (the dwellers) גִלְעָֽד׃ (of Gilead).

9  וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) יִפְתָּ֜ח (Jephthah) אֶל־ (to) זִקְנֵ֣י (the elders) גִלְעָ֗ד (of Gilead), אִם־ (If) מְשִׁיבִ֨ים (take back) אַתֶּ֤ם (you⁺) אוֹתִי֙ (me) לְהִלָּחֵם֙ (to fight) בִּבְנֵ֣י (against the sons) עַמּ֔וֹן (of Ammon), וְנָתַ֧ן (and delivers) יְהוָ֛ה (YHWH) אוֹתָ֖ם (them) לְפָנָ֑י (to me), אָנֹכִ֕י (I) אֶהְיֶ֥ה (will be) לָכֶ֖ם (to you⁺) לְרֹֽאשׁ׃ (leader)?

10  וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ (And said) זִקְנֵֽי־ (the elders) גִלְעָ֖ד (of Gilead) אֶל־ (to) יִפְתָּ֑ח (Jephthah), יְהוָ֗ה (YHWH) יִהְיֶ֤ה (will be) שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙ (a witness) בֵּֽינוֹתֵ֔ינוּ (between us) אִם־ (if) לֹ֥א (not) כִדְבָרְךָ֖ (according to your words) כֵּ֥ן (so) נַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ (we do).

11  וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (And went) יִפְתָּח֙ (Jephthah) עִם־ (with) זִקְנֵ֣י (the elders) גִלְעָ֔ד (of Gilead), וַיָּשִׂ֨ימוּ (and made) הָעָ֥ם (the people) אוֹת֛וֹ (him) עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (over them) לְרֹ֣אשׁ (head) וּלְקָצִ֑ין (and commander). וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר (And spoke) יִפְתָּ֧ח (Jephthah) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) דְּבָרָ֛יו (his words) לִפְנֵ֥י (before the face of) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) בַּמִּצְפָּֽה׃פ (in Mizpah).

12  וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (And sent) יִפְתָּח֙ (Jephthah) מַלְאָכִ֔ים (messengers) אֶל־ (to) מֶ֥לֶךְ (the king) בְּנֵֽי־ (of the sons) עַמּ֖וֹן (of Ammon), לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), מַה־ (What) לִּ֣י (do have against me) וָלָ֔ךְ (and you), כִּֽי־ (that) בָ֥אתָ (you have come) אֵלַ֖י (against me) לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם (to fight) בְּאַרְצִֽי׃ (in my land)?

13  וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (And answered) מֶ֨לֶךְ (the king) בְּנֵי־ (of the sons) עַמּ֜וֹן (of Ammon) אֶל־ (unto) מַלְאֲכֵ֣י (the messengers) יִפְתָּ֗ח (of Jephthah), כִּֽי־ (Because) לָקַ֨ח (took away) יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל (Israel) אֶת־ (-) אַרְצִי֙ (my land) בַּעֲלוֹת֣וֹ (when they came up) מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם (out of Egypt) מֵאַרְנ֥וֹן (from the Arnon) וְעַד־ (and as far as) הַיַּבֹּ֖ק (the Jabbok) וְעַד־ (and as far as) הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן (the Jordan), וְעַתָּ֕ה (and now) הָשִׁ֥יבָה (return) אֶתְהֶ֖ן (them) בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (in peace).

14  וַיּ֥וֹסֶף (And added) ע֖וֹד (again) יִפְתָּ֑ח (Jephthah) וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ (and sent) מַלְאָכִ֔ים (messengers) אֶל־ (to) מֶ֖לֶךְ (the king) בְּנֵ֥י (of the sons) עַמּֽוֹן׃ (of Ammon), 15  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (and said) ל֔וֹ (to him), כֹּ֖ה (Thus) אָמַ֣ר (says) יִפְתָּ֑ח (Jephthah): לֹֽא־ (Not) לָקַ֤ח (did take away) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (Israel) אֶת־ (-) אֶ֣רֶץ (the land) מוֹאָ֔ב (of Moab), וְאֶת־ (or) אֶ֖רֶץ (the land) בְּנֵ֥י (of the sons) עַמּֽוֹן׃ (of Ammon). 16  כִּ֖י (For) בַּעֲלוֹתָ֣ם (in their coming up) מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם (out of Egypt) וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ (and walked) יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל (Israel) בַּמִּדְבָּר֙ (through the wilderness) עַד־ (as far as) יַם־ (the Sea) ס֔וּף (Red), וַיָּבֹ֖א (and came) קָדֵֽשָׁה׃ (to Kadesh); 17  וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח (and sent) יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל (Israel) מַלְאָכִ֣ים׀ (messengers) אֶל־ (to) מֶלֶךְ֩ (the king) אֱד֨וֹם׀ (of Edom), לֵאמֹ֜ר (saying), אֶעְבְּרָה־ (Let me pass), נָּ֣א (please), בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ (through your land), וְלֹ֤א (not) שָׁמַע֙ (did listen) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) אֱד֔וֹם (of Edom). וְגַ֨ם (And in like manner) אֶל־ (to) מֶ֧לֶךְ (the king) מוֹאָ֛ב (of Moab) שָׁלַ֖ח (they sent), וְלֹ֣א (not) אָבָ֑ה (he was willing). וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב (And remained) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (Israel) בְּקָדֵֽשׁ׃ (in Kadesh).

18  וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ (And he went along) בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר (through the wilderness) וַיָּ֜סָב (and bypassed) אֶת־ (-) אֶ֤רֶץ (the land) אֱדוֹם֙ (of Edom) וְאֶת־ (and) אֶ֣רֶץ (the land) מוֹאָ֔ב (of Moab), וַיָּבֹ֤א (and he came) מִמִּזְרַח־ (to) שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ (the east side) לְאֶ֣רֶץ (of the land) מוֹאָ֔ב (of Moab) וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּן (and encamped) בְּעֵ֣בֶר (on the other side) אַרְנ֑וֹן (of the Arnon). וְלֹא־ (Not) בָ֙אוּ֙ (they did enter) בִּגְב֣וּל (into the border) מוֹאָ֔ב (of Moab), כִּ֥י (for) אַרְנ֖וֹן (the Arnon was) גְּב֥וּל (the border) מוֹאָֽב׃ (of Moab).

19  וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (And sent) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (Israel) מַלְאָכִ֔ים (messengers) אֶל־ (to) סִיח֥וֹן (Sihon) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) הָאֱמֹרִ֖י (of the Amorite), מֶ֣לֶךְ (king) חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן (of Heshbon). וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) לוֹ֙ (to him) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Israel), נַעְבְּרָה־ (Let us pass), נָּ֥א (please), בְאַרְצְךָ֖ (through your land) עַד־ (into) מְקוֹמִֽי׃ (our place). 20  וְלֹא־ (And not) הֶאֱמִ֨ין (did trust) סִיח֤וֹן (Sihon) אֶת־ (-) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (Israel) עֲבֹ֣ר (to pass) בִּגְבֻל֔וֹ (through his territory). וַיֶּאֱסֹ֤ף (And gathered together) סִיחוֹן֙ (Sihon) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) עַמּ֔וֹ (his people) וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ (and encamped) בְּיָ֑הְצָה (in Jahaz), וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (and he fought) עִם־ (against) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (Israel).

21  וַ֠יִּתֵּן (And gave) יְהוָ֨ה (YHWH) אֱלֹהֵֽי־ (God) יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (of Israel) אֶת־ (-) סִיח֧וֹן (Sihon) וְאֶת־ (and) כָּל־ (all) עַמּ֛וֹ (his people) בְּיַ֥ד (into the hand) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel), וַיַּכּ֑וּם (and they struck them). וַיִּירַשׁ֙ (And gained possession) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) אֵ֚ת (-) כָּל־ (all) אֶ֣רֶץ (the land) הָאֱמֹרִ֔י (of the Amorite), יוֹשֵׁ֖ב (inhabiting) הָאָ֥רֶץ (the land) הַהִֽיא׃ (that). 22  וַיִּ֣ירְשׁ֔וּ (And they took possession) אֵ֖ת (-) כָּל־ (of all) גְּב֣וּל (the territory) הָאֱמֹרִ֑י (of the Amorite), מֵֽאַרְנוֹן֙ (from the Arnon) וְעַד־ (and to) הַיַּבֹּ֔ק (the Jabbok), וּמִן־ (and from) הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר (the wilderness) וְעַד־ (and to) הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ (the Jordan).

23  וְעַתָּ֞ה (And) יְהוָ֣ה׀ (YHWH) אֱלֹהֵ֣י (God) יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (of Israel) הוֹרִישׁ֙ (has dispossessed) אֶת־ (-) הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י (the Amorite) מִפְּנֵ֖י (from before) עַמּ֣וֹ (His people) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (Israel); וְאַתָּ֖ה (and should you) תִּירָשֶֽׁנּוּ׃ (possess it)? 24  הֲלֹ֞א (Is it not that) אֵ֣ת (-) אֲשֶׁ֧ר (whatever) יוֹרִֽישְׁךָ֛ (would give you to possess), כְּמ֥וֹשׁ (Chemosh) אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (your god) אוֹת֥וֹ (it) תִירָ֑שׁ (you will possess)? וְאֵת֩ (And) כָּל־ (all) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (that) הוֹרִ֜ישׁ (takes possession) יְהוָ֧ה (of YHWH) אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ (our God) מִפָּנֵ֖ינוּ (before us), אוֹת֥וֹ (-) נִירָֽשׁ׃ (we will possess). 25  וְעַתָּ֗ה (And now) הֲט֥וֹב (are you so good) טוֹב֙ (better) אַתָּ֔ה (-) מִבָּלָ֥ק (than Balak) בֶּן־ (son) צִפּ֖וֹר (of Zippor), מֶ֣לֶךְ (king) מוֹאָ֑ב (of Moab)? הֲר֥וֹב (Contending) רָב֙ (did he contend) עִם־ (against) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Israel), אִם־ (or) נִלְחֹ֥ם (fighting) נִלְחַ֖ם (did he fight) בָּֽם׃ (against them)?

26  בְּשֶׁ֣בֶת (In the dwelling) יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל (of Israel) בְּחֶשְׁבּ֨וֹן (in Heshbon) וּבִבְנוֹתֶ֜יהָ (and its villages), וּבְעַרְע֣וֹר (and in Aroer) וּבִבְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ (and its villages), וּבְכָל־ (and in all) הֶֽעָרִים֙ (the cities) אֲשֶׁר֙ (that are) עַל־ (along) יְדֵ֣י (the banks) אַרְנ֔וֹן (of the Arnon) שְׁלֹ֥שׁ (three) מֵא֖וֹת (hundred) שָׁנָ֑ה (years)— וּמַדּ֥וּעַ (and why) לֹֽא־ (not) הִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם (did you⁺ snatch them up) בָּעֵ֥ת (within the time) הַהִֽיא׃ (that)? 27  וְאָֽנֹכִי֙ (And I) לֹֽא־ (not) חָטָ֣אתִי (have sinned) לָ֔ךְ (against you), וְאַתָּ֞ה (and you) עֹשֶׂ֥ה (are doing) אִתִּ֛י (to me) רָעָ֖ה (evil) לְהִלָּ֣חֶם (by fighting) בִּ֑י (against me). יִשְׁפֹּ֨ט (May render judgment) יְהוָ֤ה (YHWH) הַשֹּׁפֵט֙ (the Judge) הַיּ֔וֹם (this day) בֵּ֚ין (between) בְּנֵ֣י (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) וּבֵ֖ין (and between) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) עַמּֽוֹן׃ (of Ammon).

28  וְלֹ֣א (Not) שָׁמַ֔ע (did listen) מֶ֖לֶךְ (the king) בְּנֵ֣י (of the sons) עַמּ֑וֹן (of Ammon) אֶל־ (to) דִּבְרֵ֣י (the words) יִפְתָּ֔ח (of Jephthah), אֲשֶׁ֥ר (that) שָׁלַ֖ח (he sent) אֵלָֽיו׃פ (to him).

Jephthah’s Tragic Vow

29  וַתְּהִ֤י (And came) עַל־ (upon) יִפְתָּח֙ (Jephthah) ר֣וּחַ (the Spirit) יְהוָ֔ה (of YHWH), וַיַּעֲבֹ֥ר (and he passed through) אֶת־ (-) הַגִּלְעָ֖ד (Gilead) וְאֶת־ (and) מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה (Manasseh), וַֽיַּעֲבֹר֙ (and he passed through) אֶת־ (-) מִצְפֵּ֣ה (Mizpah) גִלְעָ֔ד (of Gilead), וּמִמִּצְפֵּ֣ה (and from Mizpah) גִלְעָ֔ד (of Gilead) עָבַ֖ר (he passed through) בְּנֵ֥י (to the sons) עַמּֽוֹן׃ (of Ammon).

30  וַיִּדַּ֨ר (And made) יִפְתָּ֥ח (Jephthah) נֶ֛דֶר (a vow) לַיהוָ֖ה (to YHWH), וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (and said), אִם־ (If) נָת֥וֹן (delivering) תִּתֵּ֛ן (You deliver) אֶת־ (-) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) עַמּ֖וֹן (of Ammon) בְּיָדִֽי׃ (into my hands), 31  וְהָיָ֣ה (Then it shall come to pass that), הַיּוֹצֵ֗א (comes) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (whatever) יֵצֵ֜א (forth) מִדַּלְתֵ֤י (from the doors) בֵיתִי֙ (of my house) לִקְרָאתִ֔י (to meet me) בְּשׁוּבִ֥י (when I return) בְשָׁל֖וֹם (in peace) מִבְּנֵ֣י (from the sons) עַמּ֑וֹן (of Ammon), וְהָיָה֙ (it will be) לַֽיהוָ֔ה (unto YHWH), וְהַעֲלִיתִ֖הוּ (and I will offer it up) עוֹלָֽה׃פ (as a burnt offering).

32  וַיַּעֲבֹ֥ר (And passed over) יִפְתָּ֛ח (Jephthah) אֶל־ (toward) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) עַמּ֖וֹן (of Ammon) לְהִלָּ֣חֶם (to fight) בָּ֑ם (against them), וַיִתְּנֵ֥ם (and delivered them) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ (into his hand). 33  וַיַּכֵּ֡ם (And he defeated them) מֵעֲרוֹעֵר֩ (from Aroer) וְעַד־ (and as far as) בּוֹאֲךָ֨ (to the entrance) מִנִּ֜ית (Minnith), עֶשְׂרִ֣ים (twenty) עִ֗יר (cities), וְעַד֙ (and to) אָבֵ֣ל (Abel-) כְּרָמִ֔ים (keramim). מַכָּ֖ה (With a slaughter) גְּדוֹלָ֣ה (great) מְאֹ֑ד (very) וַיִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙ (and were subdued) בְּנֵ֣י (the sons) עַמּ֔וֹן (of Ammon) מִפְּנֵ֖י (before) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃פ (of Israel).

34  וַיָּבֹ֨א (And came) יִפְתָּ֣ח (Jephthah) הַמִּצְפָּה֮ (at Mizpah) אֶל־ (to) בֵּיתוֹ֒ (his house), וְהִנֵּ֤ה (and there was) בִתּוֹ֙ (his daughter) יֹצֵ֣את (coming out) לִקְרָאת֔וֹ (to meet him) בְתֻפִּ֖ים (with timbrels) וּבִמְחֹל֑וֹת (and dancing). וְרַק֙ (And only) הִ֣יא (she was) יְחִידָ֔ה (his child); אֵֽין־ (none) ל֥וֹ (were unto him) מִמֶּ֛נּוּ (besides her), בֵּ֖ן (son) אוֹ־ (or) בַֽת׃ (daughter).

35  וַיְהִי֩ (And it came to pass), כִרְאוֹת֨וֹ (when he saw) אוֹתָ֜הּ (her), וַיִּקְרַ֣ע (that he tore) אֶת־ (-) בְּגָדָ֗יו (his clothes) וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (and said), אֲהָ֤הּ (Alas), בִּתִּי֙ (my daughter)! הַכְרֵ֣עַ (Causing to bow) הִכְרַעְתִּ֔נִי (you have caused me to bow), וְאַ֖תְּ (and you) הָיִ֣יתְ (are) בְּעֹֽכְרָ֑י (among those who trouble me), וְאָנֹכִ֗י (and for I) פָּצִ֤יתִי־ (have given) פִי֙ (my word) אֶל־ (to) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH), וְלֹ֥א (and not) אוּכַ֖ל (I) לָשֽׁוּב׃ (can turn back).

36  וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (And she said) אֵלָ֗יו (to him) אָבִי֙ (My father), פָּצִ֤יתָה (if you have given) אֶת־ (-) פִּ֙יךָ֙ (your word) אֶל־ (to) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH), עֲשֵׂ֣ה (do) לִ֔י (to me) כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (according to what) יָצָ֣א (has gone) מִפִּ֑יךָ (out of your mouth). אַחֲרֵ֡י (After) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) עָשָׂה֩ (has done) לְךָ֙ (for you) יְהוָ֧ה (YHWH) נְקָמ֛וֹת (vengeance) מֵאֹיְבֶ֖יךָ (on your enemies), מִבְּנֵ֥י (the sons) עַמּֽוֹן׃ (of Ammon). 37  וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (And she said) אֶל־ (to) אָבִ֔יהָ (her father), יֵעָ֥שֶׂה (Let be done) לִּ֖י (for me) הַדָּבָ֣ר (thing) הַזֶּ֑ה (this). הַרְפֵּ֨ה (Leave alone) מִמֶּ֜נִּי (me) שְׁנַ֣יִם (two) חֳדָשִׁ֗ים (months), וְאֵֽלְכָה֙ (that I may go) וְיָרַדְתִּ֣י (and wander) עַל־ (on) הֶֽהָרִ֔ים (the mountains), וְאֶבְכֶּה֙ (and mourn) עַל־ (for) בְּתוּלַ֔י (my virginity), אָנֹכִ֖י (I) וְרֵעְיֹתָי׃ (and my friends).

38  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said), לֵ֔כִי (Go). וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח (And he sent away) אוֹתָ֖הּ (her) שְׁנֵ֣י (two) חֳדָשִׁ֑ים (months).

וַתֵּ֤לֶךְ (And went) הִיא֙ (she) וְרֵ֣עוֹתֶ֔יהָ (and her friends), וַתֵּ֥בְךְּ (and wept) עַל־ (for) בְּתוּלֶ֖יהָ (her virginity) עַל־ (on) הֶהָרִֽים׃ (the mountains). 39  וַיְהִ֞י (And it was) מִקֵּ֣ץ׀ (at the end) שְׁנַ֣יִם (of two) חֳדָשִׁ֗ים (months), וַתָּ֙שָׁב֙ (that she returned) אֶל־ (to) אָבִ֔יהָ (her father), וַיַּ֣עַשׂ (and he carried out) לָ֔הּ (with her) אֶת־ (-) נִדְר֖וֹ (his vow) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) נָדָ֑ר (he had vowed). וְהִיא֙ (And she) לֹא־ (not) יָדְעָ֣ה (knew) אִ֔ישׁ (a man).

וַתְּהִי־ (And it became) חֹ֖ק (a custom) בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (in Israel), 40  מִיָּמִ֣ים׀ (from time) יָמִ֗ימָה (to time) תֵּלַ֙כְנָה֙ (that went) בְּנ֣וֹת (the daughters) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) לְתַנּ֕וֹת (to lament) לְבַת־ (the daughter) יִפְתָּ֖ח (of Jephthah) הַגִּלְעָדִ֑י (the Gileadite), אַרְבַּ֥עַת (four) יָמִ֖ים (days) בַּשָּׁנָֽה׃ס (in the year).