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Judges 11:10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD is our witness if we do not do as you say."
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we will certainly do as you say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“The LORD is our witness,” the elders replied. “We promise to do whatever you say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be witness between us, if we do not do as you say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is our witness if we do not do as you say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be a witness between us, if we do not do according to your words.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is witness between us; be assured we will do as you have said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is witness between us; surely we will do as you have said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is witness between us; surely we will do as you have said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “Yahweh is witness between us; surely we will do as you have said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is the witness between us; be assured that we will do as you have said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is our witness if we don’t do as you say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is our witness if we don’t do as you say.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Jehovah shall be witness between us; surely according to thy word so will we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"You have our word," the leaders answered. "And the LORD is a witness to what we have said." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD shall be witness between us; surely according to thy word so will we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Gilead's leaders said to Jephthah, "The LORD is a witness between us. We will certainly do what you say."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They replied, "We agree. The LORD is our witness." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead responded to Jephthah, "May the Lord serve as a witness that we're making this agreement between ourselves to do as we've said." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, ?The LORD is our witness if we do not do as you say.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD will judge any grievance you have against us, if we do not do as you say."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD shall be witness between us; surely according to your word so will we do."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, The LORD be a witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “Yahweh will be witness between us. Surely we will do what you say.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And [the] elderly of Gilead say to Jephthah, “YHWH is listening between us—if we do not do so according to your word.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the elders of Gilead say unto Jephthah, 'Jehovah is hearkening between us -- if according to thy word we do not so.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the old men of Gilead will say to Jephthah, Jehovah shall be hearing between us, if we did not thus to thee according to thy word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They answered him: The Lord who heareth these things, he himself is mediator and witness that we will do as we have promised. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They answered him, “The Lord who hears these things is himself the Mediator and the Witness that we shall do what we have promised.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is witness between us that we will do as you say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be witness between us; we will surely do as you say.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said to him, The LORD shall be witness between us, if we do not so according to your words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And The Elders of Gelad said to him: “LORD JEHOVAH shall be the hearer between us if we will not do thus, according to your word!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah: 'The LORD shall be witness between us; surely according to thy word so will we do.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the elders of Galaad said to Jephthae, The Lord be witness between us, if we shall not do according to thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/11-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3430" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm">Jephthah Delivers Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>But Jephthah asked them, “If you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, will I really be your leader?” <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: ziq·nê- (Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">And the elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/1568.htm" title="1568: ḡil·‘āḏ (N-proper-fs) -- Probably from Gal'ed; Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites.">of Gilead</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3316.htm" title="3316: yip̄·tāḥ (N-proper-ms) -- From pathach; he will open; Jiphtach, an Israelite; also a place in Palestine.">Jephthah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">“The LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">is</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šō·mê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">our witness</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bê·nō·w·ṯê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">we do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: na·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">do</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḵiḏ·ḇā·rə·ḵā (Prep-k:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">as you say.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their leader and commander. And Jephthah repeated all his terms in the presence of the LORD at Mizpah.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a></span><br />If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-21.htm">Deuteronomy 23:21-23</a></span><br />If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:4-5</a></span><br />When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/9-15.htm">Joshua 9:15-20</a></span><br />And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. / Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. / So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1-5</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. / Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. / Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-24.htm">1 Samuel 14:24-28</a></span><br />Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. / Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. / And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1-2</a></span><br />During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Psalm 15:4</a></span><br />who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/50-14.htm">Psalm 50:14</a></span><br />Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/76-11.htm">Psalm 76:11</a></span><br />Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Proverbs 20:25</a></span><br />It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33-37</a></span><br />Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16-22</a></span><br />Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-23.htm">Mark 6:23-26</a></span><br />And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” / Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.” / At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-14</a></span><br />When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to your words.</p><p class="hdg">The Lord</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Genesis 21:23</a></b></br> Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: <i>but</i> according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-50.htm">Genesis 31:50</a></b></br> If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take <i>other</i> wives beside my daughters, no man <i>is</i> with us; see, God <i>is</i> witness betwixt me and thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-5.htm">1 Samuel 12:5</a></b></br> And he said unto them, The LORD <i>is</i> witness against you, and his anointed <i>is</i> witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, <i>He is</i> witness.</p><p class="hdg">be witness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Genesis 16:5</a></b></br> And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong <i>be</i> upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-53.htm">Genesis 31:53</a></b></br> The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Deuteronomy 1:16</a></b></br> And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear <i>the causes</i> between your brethren, and judge righteously between <i>every</i> man and his brother, and the stranger <i>that is</i> with him.</p><p class="hdg">if we do</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-7.htm">Exodus 20:7</a></b></br> Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/5-4.htm">Zechariah 5:4</a></b></br> I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a></b></br> And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in <i>his</i> wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger <i>from his right</i>, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/11-9.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/judges/11-9.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/11-9.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/judges/8-25.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/joshua/24-27.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/judges/9-47.htm">Word</a> <a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/11-11.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/judges/11-11.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/11-11.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ruth/1-21.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/judges/11-15.htm">Word</a> <a href="/judges/11-11.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-1.htm">The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-12.htm">The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Jephthah's vow</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-32.htm">His conquest of the Ammonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-34.htm">He performs his vow on his daughter.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah</b><br>The elders of Gilead were leaders of the Israelite tribes residing east of the Jordan River. Gilead was a region known for its balm, a valuable commodity in ancient times. The elders approached Jephthah, a mighty warrior, to lead them against the Ammonites. This reflects the recurring theme in Judges of God raising unlikely leaders to deliver Israel. Jephthah, despite being an outcast due to his birth, was chosen, illustrating God's use of the marginalized to fulfill His purposes.<p><b>The LORD is our witness</b><br>Invoking the LORD as a witness was a solemn act, emphasizing the seriousness of their commitment. In ancient Israel, oaths and covenants were often made before God, who was seen as the ultimate judge and enforcer of promises. This reflects the cultural and religious practice of swearing by God's name to ensure truthfulness and accountability, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/genesis/31-50.htm">Genesis 31:50</a> and <a href="/1_samuel/12-5.htm">1 Samuel 12:5</a>.<p><b>if we do not do as you say</b><br>The elders promised to fulfill Jephthah's conditions for leadership, highlighting the importance of integrity and faithfulness in agreements. This phrase underscores the biblical principle of keeping one's word, as emphasized in passages like <a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a> and <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:4-5</a>. It also foreshadows the potential for human failure, a recurring theme in Judges, where Israel often falls short of their commitments to God and His appointed leaders.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah</a></b><br>A mighty warrior and the son of Gilead, Jephthah was initially rejected by his family but later called upon to lead the Israelites against the Ammonites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders_of_gilead.htm">Elders of Gilead</a></b><br>Leaders of the region of Gilead who sought Jephthah's help to fight against the Ammonites. They represent the collective leadership and decision-making body of the community.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gilead.htm">Gilead</a></b><br>A region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and fertile land. It was a significant area for the tribes of Israel, particularly during the time of the Judges.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, invoked as a witness to the agreement between Jephthah and the elders, emphasizing the seriousness and binding nature of their promise.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/ammonites.htm">Ammonites</a></b><br>A neighboring nation and frequent adversary of Israel, the Ammonites were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with the Israelites over land and resources.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity_in_leadership.htm">The Importance of Integrity in Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders must be trustworthy and uphold their promises, as the elders of Gilead did by invoking the LORD as their witness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_god_as_a_witness.htm">The Role of God as a Witness</a></b><br>Invoking God as a witness to our commitments underscores the seriousness of our words and actions, reminding us of our accountability to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_restoration.htm">Reconciliation and Restoration</a></b><br>Jephthah's account illustrates how God can use those who have been rejected or marginalized for His purposes, encouraging us to seek reconciliation and restoration in our relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_vows_and_promises.htm">The Power of Vows and Promises</a></b><br>The elders' vow to Jephthah highlights the importance of keeping our promises, especially those made before God, as a reflection of our faith and integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_sovereignty_in_leadership_choices.htm">Trusting God's Sovereignty in Leadership Choices</a></b><br>The elders' decision to choose Jephthah, despite his past, demonstrates trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to use anyone for His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_god_stop_jephthah's_vow.htm">Why did God allow Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter in Judges 11 without stopping him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_there_extrabiblical_sources_for_judges_11.htm">Judges 11:4-9: Are there credible extrabiblical sources confirming the conflict with the Ammonites, or does this narrative contradict known history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jephthah's_lineage_inconsistent.htm">Judges 11:1-3: Does Jephthah's parentage present any inconsistency with standard Old Testament genealogical records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/judges_12_1-7__unity_or_conflict.htm">Judges 12:1-7 - How does the narrative align with or contradict earlier portrayals of tribal unity and cooperation in Judges?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">The Lord be witness.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">be hearing </span>(<span class= "ital">Dominus, qui haec audit ipse Mediator ac testis sit, </span>Vulg.).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/11-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And the elders</span><br /><span class="heb">זִקְנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(ziq·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Gilead</span><br /><span class="heb">גִלְעָ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(ḡil·‘āḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1568.htm">Strong's 1568: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jephthah,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפְתָּ֑ח</span> <span class="translit">(yip̄·tāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3316.htm">Strong's 3316: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“The LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="heb">יִהְיֶ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our witness</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do</span><br /><span class="heb">נַעֲשֶֽׂה׃</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as you say.”</span><br /><span class="heb">כִדְבָרְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(ḵiḏ·ḇā·rə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/11-10.htm">Judges 11:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/11-10.htm">OT History: Judges 11:10 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/11-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 11:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 11:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/11-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 11:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 11:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>