Vows: Rash by Jephthah
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In the biblical narrative, Jephthah, a judge of Israel, is a prominent figure known for making a rash vow that had significant consequences. This account is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 11:29-40. Jephthah, a Gileadite and the son of a harlot, rose to leadership during a tumultuous period when Israel was oppressed by the Ammonites. Despite his questionable lineage, Jephthah was recognized for his valor and was chosen to lead Israel against their enemies.

Before engaging in battle with the Ammonites, Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, seeking divine favor for victory. Judges 11:30-31 records his vow: "If indeed You will 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."

This vow is often described as rash due to its open-ended nature and the severe implications it carried. Jephthah's vow was made in a moment of desperation and zeal, reflecting a common practice in ancient times where vows were made to secure divine intervention. However, the lack of specificity in his vow led to unforeseen and tragic consequences.

Upon his victorious return, Jephthah was met by his only child, his daughter, who came out to greet him with tambourines and dancing. Judges 11:34 poignantly describes the scene: "When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing. She was his only child; he had no other son or daughter."

The fulfillment of Jephthah's vow required him to offer his daughter as a burnt offering, a decision that has been the subject of much theological debate and interpretation. Some scholars suggest that Jephthah's daughter was dedicated to lifelong service to the LORD, akin to a form of monastic life, rather than being literally sacrificed. However, the text in Judges 11:39 states, "After two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she had never been intimate with a man," which implies the literal fulfillment of the vow.

Jephthah's vow serves as a cautionary tale about the gravity and potential consequences of making vows to God without careful consideration. It underscores the importance of understanding the nature of vows and the need for wisdom and discernment in making commitments before the LORD. The narrative also highlights the cultural and religious context of the time, where vows were seen as binding and irrevocable, reflecting the seriousness with which they were regarded in ancient Israelite society.

The account of Jephthah and his vow is a sobering reminder of the power of words and the responsibility that comes with making promises to God. It invites reflection on the nature of faith, obedience, and the complexities of human decision-making in the pursuit of divine favor.
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Judges 11:29-40
Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over to the children of Ammon.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... All then I mean here is, that your vows should be ... Thus Jephthah suffered for his
folly, when with precipitate fervour he made a rash vow (Judges 11 ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... Likewise the use of rash swearing will often engage ... swallow a sacred obligation),
and after vows to make ... repentance, did the unadvised vow of Jephthah throw him ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

The Third Commandment
... I will pay thee my vows which my lips have uttered when I was in trouble.' Psalm
66:13, 14. ... Jephthah's vow was rash and unlawful; he vowed to the Lord to ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

Resources
What is the Christian view of asceticism / monasticism? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Society of Jesus? Who are the Jesuits, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org

What is Jainism? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Vows

Vows of a Field

Vows of Absalom

Vows of Ananias and Sapphira, in the Dedication of the Proceeds of the Sale of Their Land

Vows of Certain Jews With Paul

Vows of Children Void Without the Consent of Parents

Vows of David

Vows of Elkanah

Vows of Hannah

Vows of Hannah, to Consecrate to the Lord the Child for Which She Prayed

Vows of Israelites

Vows of Jacob

Vows of Jephthah

Vows of Job, not to Entertain Thoughts of Fornication

Vows of Jonah

Vows of Lemuel's Mother

Vows of Mariners Who Cast out Jonah

Vows of Married Women Void Without Consent of Husbands

Vows of Paul

Vows of the Jews, to Kill Paul

Vows of the Mother of Micah, in the Dedication of Silver for the Making of an Idol

Vows of Things Corrupt or Blemished an Insult to God

Vows of Widows and Women Divorced from Their Husbands Binding

Vows of Wives, Could Only be Objected to at the Time of Making

Vows were Made in Reference to Afflicting the Soul

Vows were Made in Reference to Dedicating Children to God

Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting Property to God

Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting the Person to God

Vows were Made in Reference to Offering Sacrifices

Vows: A Minor, of Himself

Vows: All Things Dedicated By, to be Brought to the Tabernacle

Vows: Belonged to the Priests

Vows: Clean Beasts the Subjects of, not to be Redeemed

Vows: Danger of Inconsiderately Making

Vows: Edible Things offered In, to be Eaten the Same Day They Were offered

Vows: Estimation of the Redemption Price of Things offered in Vows

Vows: Might be Redeemed by Paying a Suitable Compensation

Vows: Mosaic Laws Concerning

Vows: Rash by Jephthah

Vows: Rash: The Israelites, to Destroy the Benjamites

Vows: Solemn Promises Made to God

Vows: The Hire of a Prostitute or Price of a Dog Could not be The

Vows: The Redemption Price of the offering of Real Estate, to be Valued by the Priest

Vows: Things Forbidden to be offered in Receipts of the Whore and the Price of a "Dog"

Vows: Things offered In, to be Brought to the Tabernacle or Temple

Vows: To be Performed Faithfully

Vows: To be Performed Without Delay

Vows: To be Voluntary

Vows: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Related Terms

Votive (13 Occurrences)

Obligation (17 Occurrences)

Freewill (27 Occurrences)

Pledges (15 Occurrences)

Vowed (34 Occurrences)

Obligated (9 Occurrences)

Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)

Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences)

Vow (49 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Established (200 Occurrences)

Bond (32 Occurrences)

Libations (29 Occurrences)

Obligations (10 Occurrences)

Drink-offerings (31 Occurrences)

Fulfill (80 Occurrences)

Silent (120 Occurrences)

Bonds (46 Occurrences)

Herself (121 Occurrences)

Presents (38 Occurrences)

Entirely (39 Occurrences)

Accomplish (44 Occurrences)

Confirm (39 Occurrences)

Voluntary-offerings (4 Occurrences)

Obligates (4 Occurrences)

Free-will (9 Occurrences)

Tithes (23 Occurrences)

Rash (18 Occurrences)

Religious (13 Occurrences)

Disallowed (7 Occurrences)

Disallow (3 Occurrences)

Perform (155 Occurrences)

Prohibited (2 Occurrences)

Propitious (12 Occurrences)

Proceeds (20 Occurrences)

Pardon (31 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Binding (23 Occurrences)

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)

Follows (65 Occurrences)

Actions (62 Occurrences)

Besides (178 Occurrences)

Lips (199 Occurrences)

Praises (66 Occurrences)

Special (89 Occurrences)

Contribution (24 Occurrences)

Execute (83 Occurrences)

Holds (67 Occurrences)

Wave (65 Occurrences)

Mouths (86 Occurrences)

Bound (175 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Forgive (81 Occurrences)

Voyage (5 Occurrences)

Separation (50 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Bind (68 Occurrences)

Heave-offering (55 Occurrences)

Release (61 Occurrences)

Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)

Ahead (98 Occurrences)

Beside (326 Occurrences)

Thank (68 Occurrences)

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)

Hears (78 Occurrences)

Sacrifices (186 Occurrences)

Relationships (1 Occurrence)

Heareth (137 Occurrences)

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Queen (59 Occurrences)

Gifts (144 Occurrences)

Vowing (4 Occurrences)

Violate (14 Occurrences)

Vowest (3 Occurrences)

Kine (24 Occurrences)

Nun (31 Occurrences)

Null (4 Occurrences)

Vows: Mosaic Laws Concerning
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