Topical Bible: Children: Jephthah's Daughter

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Introduction:
Jephthah's daughter is a significant yet tragic figure in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. Her account is a poignant narrative that highlights themes of faith, sacrifice, and the consequences of rash vows. Jephthah, her father, was a judge of Israel, known for his military prowess and leadership during a tumultuous period in Israel's history.

Biblical Account:
The account of Jephthah's daughter is found in Judges 11:29-40. Jephthah, a Gileadite, was chosen to lead Israel against the Ammonites. Before going into battle, Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, saying, "If You will indeed deliver the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me on my return in triumph from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering" (Judges 11:30-31).

The LORD granted Jephthah victory over the Ammonites, and upon his return, his only child, his daughter, came out to meet him with tambourines and dancing. Jephthah was devastated, as he had not anticipated that his vow would involve his beloved daughter. He tore his clothes and lamented, "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me to my knees. You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back" (Judges 11:35).

Character and Response:
Jephthah's daughter is portrayed as a model of obedience and submission. Upon learning of her father's vow, she responded with remarkable faith and courage, saying, "My father, you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me as you have promised, since the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites" (Judges 11:36). Her request for a two-month reprieve to mourn her virginity with her friends in the mountains underscores her acceptance of her fate and her desire to honor her father's commitment to God.

Cultural and Theological Context:
The account of Jephthah's daughter is set in a time when vows to God were taken with utmost seriousness. The narrative reflects the cultural and religious milieu of ancient Israel, where vows were binding and irrevocable. The account raises complex theological questions about the nature of vows, the value of human life, and the tension between personal devotion and ethical considerations.

Legacy and Commemoration:
Jephthah's daughter's account left a lasting impact on the Israelite community. Judges 11:39-40 notes that "from this comes the custom in Israel that each year the young women of Israel go out for four days to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite" . This annual observance served as a somber reminder of her sacrifice and the gravity of making vows to the LORD.

Interpretations and Reflections:
Throughout history, scholars and theologians have debated the nature of Jephthah's vow and its fulfillment. Some suggest that Jephthah's daughter was dedicated to a life of perpetual virginity in service to the LORD, while others contend that she was indeed offered as a burnt offering. Regardless of the interpretation, the account underscores the importance of careful consideration before making commitments to God and the profound impact of faith and obedience in the face of personal loss.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 11:36
And she said to him, My father, if you have opened your mouth to the LORD, do to me according to that which has proceeded out of your mouth; for as much as the LORD has taken vengeance for you of your enemies, even of the children of Ammon.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jephthah's Foolish Promise
The Children's Bible. ... a custom in Israel: each year the women of Israel go out for
four days to bewail the death of the daughter of Jephthah, the Gileadite. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jephthahs foolish promise.htm

After the Whole People had Been Freed from all Distress...
... And just as when children drag with all their might a long and rotten cord in ... And
to shew that this is true, after Jephthah's daughter had been slain, in order ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiv after the whole.htm

Of the Death of the Martyrs Considered as a Sacrifice, and in what ...
... Jephthah's sacrifice of his daughter should receive attention; it was by vowing
it that he conquered the children of Ammon, and the victim approved his vow ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/36 of the death of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... he had committed in slaying his half-brothers, the seventy children of Jerubbaal ...
origin of the four days'feast in honour of Jephthah's daughter, insertions of a ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Chapter xxii
... glory of God and to the eternal good of His children. ... Jephthah's case (Jud 11) does
not belong here and ... does not involve the bloody sacrifice of his daughter. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

The Third Commandment
... Such as are the true children of God, fear to shoot ... Jephthah's vow was rash and unlawful;
he vowed to the Lord ... which he met with next, and it was his daughter. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm