Judges 11:5
New International Version
the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

New Living Translation
When the Ammonites attacked, the elders of Gilead sent for Jephthah in the land of Tob.

English Standard Version
And when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob.

Berean Standard Bible
and made war with them, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

New American Standard Bible
When the sons of Ammon fought against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob;

NASB 1995
When the sons of Ammon fought against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob;

NASB 1977
And it happened when the sons of Ammon fought against Israel that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob;

Legacy Standard Bible
So it happened that as the sons of Ammon fought against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob;

Amplified Bible
When the Ammonites fought against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob;

Christian Standard Bible
When the Ammonites made war with Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the Ammonites made war with Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

American Standard Version
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;

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the Ammonites attacked Israel, Gilead's leaders went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

Good News Translation
When this happened, the leaders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob.

International Standard Version
When this happened, the elders of Gilead went to the territory of Tob to find Jephthah.

Majority Standard Bible
and made war with them, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

NET Bible
When the Ammonites attacked, the leaders of Gilead asked Jephthah to come back from the land of Tob.

New Heart English Bible
It was so, that when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah out of the land of Tob;

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah out of the land of Tob:

World English Bible
When the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah out of the land of Tob.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, when the sons of Ammon have fought with Israel, that [the] elderly of Gilead go to take Jephthah from the land of Tob;

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, when the Bene-Ammon have fought with Israel, that the elders of Gilead go to take Jephthah from the land of Tob;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be when the sons of Ammon warred with Israel, and the old men of Israel will go to take Jephthah out of the land of Tob.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And as they pressed hard upon them, the ancients of Galaad went to fetch Jephte out of the land of Tob to help them:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And being steadfastly attacked, the elders of Gilead traveled so that they might obtain for their assistance Jephthah, from the land of Tob.

New American Bible
As soon as the Ammonites were at war with Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob.

New Revised Standard Version
And when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the children of Ammon made war against the children of Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tobtha;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when the sons of Amon fought with the sons of Israel, the Elders of Gelad went to the wilderness to Naphthakh from the good land
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
that the elders of Galaad went to fetch Jephthae from the land of Tob.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Delivers Israel
4Some time later, when the Ammonites fought against Israel 5and made war with them, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6“Come,” they said, “be our commander, so that we can fight against the Ammonites.”…

Cross References
Judges 10:18
And the rulers of Gilead said to one another, “Whoever will launch the attack against the Ammonites will be the head of all who live in Gilead.”

Judges 12:1-7
Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!” / But Jephthah replied, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands. / When I saw that you would not save me, I risked my life and crossed over to the Ammonites, and the LORD delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come today to fight against me?” ...

1 Samuel 12:11
So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,

1 Samuel 11:1-11
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” / But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” / “Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” ...

1 Samuel 8:19-20
Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

1 Samuel 10:27
But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.

1 Samuel 17:25
Now the men of Israel had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.”

2 Samuel 10:6-8
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. / On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

2 Kings 13:5
So the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, and they escaped the power of the Arameans. Then the people of Israel lived in their own homes as they had before.

2 Kings 14:26-27
For the LORD saw that the affliction of the Israelites, both slave and free, was very bitter. There was no one to help Israel, / and since the LORD had said that He would not blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.

Nehemiah 9:27
So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.

Isaiah 19:20
It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender to rescue them.

Acts 13:20-21
All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. / Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.


Treasury of Scripture

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:

made war.

Judges 10:9,17,18
Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed…

to fetch

1 Samuel 10:27
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

1 Samuel 11:6,7,12
And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly…

Psalm 118:22,23
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner…

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Ammon Ammonites Bene-Ammon Children Elders Israel Jephthah Responsible Tob War
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Ammon Ammonites Bene-Ammon Children Elders Israel Jephthah Responsible Tob War
Judges 11
1. The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead
12. The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain
29. Jephthah's vow
32. His conquest of the Ammonites
34. He performs his vow on his daughter.














and when the Ammonites made war with Israel
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and had a long-standing enmity with Israel. The Hebrew root for "Ammonites" is "עַמּוֹן" (Ammon), which signifies a people or nation. Historically, the Ammonites occupied the region east of the Jordan River. Their aggression towards Israel in this context is a continuation of the hostilities that often arose due to territorial disputes and differing allegiances. This phrase sets the stage for the conflict that necessitates a leader like Jephthah, highlighting the cyclical nature of Israel's struggles with neighboring nations due to their disobedience to God.

the elders of Gilead
The "elders" were the leaders or tribal heads responsible for making decisions on behalf of the people. "Gilead" refers to a region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. The Hebrew root for "elders" is "זָקֵן" (zaqen), indicating those with wisdom and authority. The elders' decision to seek out Jephthah underscores their desperation and recognition of his capabilities, despite his previous rejection. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God uses the rejected or unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes.

went to get Jephthah
Jephthah, whose name in Hebrew "יִפְתָּח" (Yiphtach) means "he opens" or "whom God sets free," was a mighty warrior but initially ostracized due to his birth as the son of a prostitute. The elders' journey to retrieve him from exile signifies a turning point, where necessity overrides prejudice. This act of seeking Jephthah illustrates the biblical principle that God often redeems and elevates those whom society has cast aside, using them for His glory and the deliverance of His people.

from the land of Tob
"Tob" is a region outside of Israel, possibly located in modern-day Syria. The name "Tob" in Hebrew means "good" or "pleasant," which is somewhat ironic given Jephthah's circumstances of exile. This geographical detail emphasizes Jephthah's status as an outsider and the extent to which the elders were willing to go to secure his leadership. It also serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty in orchestrating events beyond the borders of Israel to bring about His divine plan.

(5) When the children of Ammon made war.--The allusion is to some special threat of invasion (acriter instantibus, Vulg.) at the close of the eighteen years of oppression (Judges 10:9).

To fetch Jephthah.--Because by this time he had made himself a great name as a brave and successful chieftain of marauders, who would doubtless come with him to lead the Gileadites.

Verse 5. - The elders of Gilead. The same as the princes in Judges 10:18.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and
וַיְהִ֕י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

made war
נִלְחֲמ֥וּ (nil·ḥă·mū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

[them],
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

the elders
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of Gilead
גִלְעָ֔ד (ḡil·‘āḏ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1568: Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites

went
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to get
לָקַ֥חַת (lā·qa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

Jephthah
יִפְתָּ֖ח (yip̄·tāḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3316: Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah

from the land
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Tob.
טֽוֹב׃ (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2897: Tob -- a region East of the Jordan


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OT History: Judges 11:5 It was so that when the children (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 11:4
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