Topical Bible: Vows of Jephthah

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Topical Encyclopedia

The account of Jephthah's vow is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 11:29-40. Jephthah, a judge of Israel, is a significant figure due to his leadership during a tumultuous period and the controversial vow he made to the LORD. His account provides insight into the nature of vows, the seriousness with which they were regarded in ancient Israel, and the potential consequences of rash promises.

Context and Background

Jephthah was the son of Gilead and a prostitute, which led to his rejection by his half-brothers and his subsequent life as an outcast in the land of Tob. Despite his background, Jephthah was recognized as a mighty warrior. When the Ammonites waged war against Israel, the elders of Gilead sought Jephthah's leadership to deliver them from their enemies. Jephthah agreed, on the condition that he would become their head if the LORD granted him victory.

The Vow

Before engaging in battle with the Ammonites, Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, as recorded in Judges 11:30-31 : "If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out of the door of my house to greet 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 pivotal in understanding the narrative and its implications. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of making vows to deities in exchange for divine favor. Jephthah's vow was made in the heat of the moment, demonstrating both his faith in God's deliverance and a lack of foresight regarding the potential outcome.

The Fulfillment of the Vow

The LORD granted Jephthah victory over the Ammonites, and he returned home in triumph. However, the first to come out of his house to greet him was his only child, his daughter. This unexpected turn of events placed Jephthah in a moral and spiritual dilemma. Judges 11:35 captures his anguish: "When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, 'Oh no, 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.'"

Jephthah's daughter, demonstrating remarkable submission and faith, accepted her fate, asking only for two months to mourn her virginity with her friends. After this period, Jephthah fulfilled his vow. The text does not explicitly state the nature of the fulfillment, leading to various interpretations among scholars and theologians.

Interpretations and Implications

The account of Jephthah's vow has been the subject of much debate. Some interpret the fulfillment of the vow as a literal human sacrifice, which would have been abhorrent to the LORD, as indicated in other parts of Scripture (e.g., Deuteronomy 12:31). Others suggest that Jephthah's daughter was dedicated to lifelong service to the LORD, possibly in a form of perpetual virginity, which would align with the practices of dedicating individuals to the LORD's service without the implication of sacrifice.

The narrative underscores the gravity of making vows to God and the importance of considering the implications of one's promises. It serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of rash vows and the need for wisdom and discernment in making commitments before the LORD.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Jephthah's account highlights the cultural context of the time, where vows were binding and taken with utmost seriousness. It also reflects the theological understanding of God's sovereignty and the human responsibility to uphold one's word. The account challenges readers to consider the nature of their commitments to God and the importance of aligning their actions with His will and character.

In summary, the vows of Jephthah present a complex narrative that invites reflection on the nature of faith, the seriousness of vows, and the consequences of human actions in the context of divine providence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 11:30,31
And Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If you shall without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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

Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer
... I pay my vows; and a foolish son is a father's shame: unhallowed are vows from a ...
upon his head" is strictly not a prayer but such a vow as Jephthah also vowed ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter ii scriptural uses of.htm

Perpetual Covenants
... Jephthah rent his clothes, and almost broke his heart; and, no doubt, everybody ... of
consecration, but when the temptation comes they do not stand to their vows. ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xii perpetual covenants.htm

After the Whole People had Been Freed from all Distress...
... vow and promise He had forbidden the sacrifice, many also who were subsequent to
Jephthah, in the expectation that God would not receive their vows, would have ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiv after the whole.htm

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
... What was uttered by Jephthah regarding a vow which was unlawful, must have been
employed by the fearers of God in reference to vows of which He approved,""I ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter v covenanting confers obligation.htm

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

The Levites Ought to be Utterly Free from all Earthly Desires. ...
... like the firstfruits and the firstlings which belong to the Lord, since the payment
of vows and redemption ... [363] And what shall I say of Jephthah, [364] who ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter l the levites ought.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... which is holy (or, to swallow a sacred obligation), and after vows to make ... what sorrow,
what regret and repentance, did the unadvised vow of Jephthah throw him ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... which we deliberately and sincerely passed upon ourselves, in the days of our vows
to God ... Barak's business, as that of Jephthah and Gideon, was done by no great ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm