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She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/11-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/07_Jdg_11_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 11:34 - Jephthah's Tragic Vow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! 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She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/nlt/judges/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. She was his one and only child; he had no other sons or daughters. <a href="/esv/judges/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah. And behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her. <a href="/kjv/judges/11.htm">King James Bible</a> And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/nkjv/judges/11.htm">New King James Version</a> When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/nasb_/judges/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, and behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. And she was his one and only child; besides her he had no son or daughter. <a href="/nasb/judges/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. Now she was his one and only child; besides her he had no son or daughter. <a href="/nasb77/judges/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. Now she was his one and only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/lsb/judges/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah. And behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. Now she was his one and only child; besides her he had no son or daughter. <a href="/amp/judges/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, and this is what he saw: his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. And she was his only child; except for her he had no son or daughter. <a href="/csb/judges/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Jephthah went 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 besides her. <a href="/hcsb/judges/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Jephthah went 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 besides her. <a href="/asv/judges/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house; and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/cev/judges/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, the first one to meet him was his daughter. She was playing a tambourine and dancing to celebrate his victory, and she was his only child. <a href="/erv/judges/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/gwt/judges/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When Jephthah went to his home in Mizpah, he saw his daughter coming out to meet him. She was dancing with tambourines in her hands. She was his only child. Jephthah had no other sons or daughters. <a href="/gnt/judges/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> When Jephthah went back home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him, dancing and playing the tambourine. She was his only child. <a href="/isv/judges/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> When Jephthah arrived at his home in Mizpah—surprise!—it was his daughter who came out to meet him, playing tambourines and dancing. She was his one and only child. Except for her, he had no other son or daughter. <a href="/msb/judges/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her. <a href="/net/judges/11.htm">NET Bible</a> When Jephthah came home to Mizpah, there was his daughter hurrying out to meet him, dancing to the rhythm of tambourines. She was his only child; except for her he had no son or daughter. <a href="/nheb/judges/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and look, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances: and she was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/wbt/judges/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/web/judges/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Jephthah comes into Mizpeh, to his house, and behold, his daughter is coming out to meet him with timbrels, and with choruses, and except her alone, he has no son or daughter. <a href="/ylt/judges/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jephthah cometh into Mizpeh, unto his house, and lo, his daughter is coming out to meet him with timbrels, and with choruses, and save her alone, he hath none, son or daughter. <a href="/slt/judges/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jephthah will come to Mizpeh to his house, and behold, his daughter will come forth to his meeting with drums and with lutes: and she the only begotten; not to him beside her, son nor daughter.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when Jephte returned into Maspha to his house, his only daughter met him with timbrels and with dances: for he had no other children. <a href="/cpdv/judges/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But when Jephthah returned to Mizpah, to his own house, his only daughter met him with timbrels and dances. For he had no other children. <a href="/nabre/judges/11.htm">New American Bible</a> When Jephthah returned to his house in Mizpah, it was his daughter who came out to meet him, with tambourine-playing and dancing. She was his only child: he had neither son nor daughter besides her. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah; and there was his daughter coming out to meet him with timbrels and with dancing. She was his only child; he had no son or daughter except her.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and, behold, his daughter carne out to meet him with timbrels and with dances; and she was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/hpbt/judges/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Naphthakh came to Metspaya to his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with timbrels, and she was his only child, and he never had a son or a daughter apart from her<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances; and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. <a href="/sep/judges/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Jephthae came to Massepha to his house; and behold, his daughter came forth to meet him with timbrels and dances; and she was his only child, he had not another son or daughter. <a href="/parallel/judges/11-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3689" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm">Jephthah's Tragic Vow</a> …33With a great blow he devastated twenty cities from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel-keramim. So the Ammonites were subdued before the Israelites. 34<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.">And when Jephthah</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">home</a> <a href="/hebrew/4709.htm" title="4709: ham·miṣ·pāh (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The name of several places in Isr. Feminine of Mitspeh; Mitspah, the name of two places in Palestine.">to Mizpah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">there</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: ḇit·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">was his daughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yō·ṣêṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">coming out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·rā·ṯōw (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">to meet him</a> <a href="/hebrew/8596.htm" title="8596: ḇə·ṯup·pîm (Prep-b:: N-mp) -- A timbrel, tambourine. From taphaph contracted; a tambourine.">with tambourines</a> <a href="/hebrew/4246.htm" title="4246: ū·ḇim·ḥō·lō·wṯ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fp) -- A dance. Feminine of machashabah; a dance.">and dancing!</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: wə·raq (Conj-w:: Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">She</a> <a href="/hebrew/3173.htm" title="3173: yə·ḥî·ḏāh (Adj-fs) -- Only, only one, solitary. From yachad; properly, united, i.e. Sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; the life.">was his only child;</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">he had</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên- (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bên (N-ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw- (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: ḇaṯ (N-fs) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">daughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nū (Prep:: 3ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">besides her.</a> 35As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not 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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1-14</a> Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. / “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” / So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated. ... <a href="/1_samuel/1-24.htm">1 Samuel 1:24-28</a> Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. / And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. / “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ... <a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6-7</a> As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” <a href="/2_samuel/6-14.htm">2 Samuel 6:14-16</a> And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, / while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn. / As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart. <a href="/luke/1-39.htm">Luke 1:39-45</a> In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, / where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. / When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ... <a href="/matthew/14-6.htm">Matthew 14:6-11</a> On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod / so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. / Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ... <a href="/mark/5-22.htm">Mark 5:22-24</a> A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet / and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” / So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him. <a href="/john/11-32.htm">John 11:32-35</a> When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” / When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. ... <a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Hebrews 11:17-19</a> By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/psalms/66-13.htm">Psalm 66:13-15</a> I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You— / the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress. / I will offer You fatlings as burnt offerings, with the fragrant smoke of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Selah <a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">2 Kings 4:27-30</a> When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” / Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” / So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.” ... <a href="/1_kings/17-17.htm">1 Kings 17:17-24</a> Later, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill, and his sickness grew worse and worse, until no breath remained in him. / “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?” / But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. ... <a href="/matthew/10-37.htm">Matthew 10:37</a> Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26-27</a> “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. / And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.Mizpeh<a href="/judges/11-11.htm">Judges 11:11</a> Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.<a href="/judges/10-17.htm">Judges 10:17</a> Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.his daughter<a href="/judges/5-1.htm">Judges 5:1</a> Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a> And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.<a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6,7</a> And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick… <a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a> And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.<a href="/luke/7-12.htm">Luke 7:12</a> Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.<a href="/luke/8-42.htm">Luke 8:42</a> For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/6-40.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/judges/8-26.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-25.htm">Child</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Choruses</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Dances</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/judges/1-13.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/judges/11-9.htm">Home</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Meeting</a> <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Mizpah</a> <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Mizpeh</a> <a href="/judges/5-3.htm">Music</a> <a href="/judges/10-14.htm">Save</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Tambourines</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Timbrels</a> <a href="/judges/11-20.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/11-37.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/judges/18-24.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/judges/13-2.htm">Child</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Choruses</a> <a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Dances</a> <a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/judges/11-35.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/judges/11-40.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/judges/18-15.htm">Home</a> <a href="/judges/12-1.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/11-40.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/19-3.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/judges/14-4.htm">Meeting</a> <a href="/judges/20-1.htm">Mizpah</a> <a href="/judges/12-7.htm">Mizpeh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">Music</a> <a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Save</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">Tambourines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">Timbrels</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 11</div>1. <a href="/judges/11-1.htm">The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead</a> 12. <a href="/judges/11-12.htm">The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain</a> 29. <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Jephthah's vow</a> 32. <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">His conquest of the Ammonites</a> 34. <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">He performs his vow on his daughter.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah Jephthah's return to Mizpah marks the conclusion of his victorious campaign against the Ammonites. Mizpah, a significant location in the tribal territory of Gilead, served as a gathering place for Israelite leaders and a site of covenant renewal (<a href="/judges/10-17.htm">Judges 10:17</a>). The name "Mizpah" means "watchtower," indicating its strategic importance. Jephthah's homecoming is a moment of triumph, yet it foreshadows the personal tragedy that will unfold.there was his daughter coming out to meet him In ancient Israel, it was customary for women to greet returning warriors with celebration. This act of coming out to meet him signifies joy and honor, reflecting the cultural practices of the time (<a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6</a>). The daughter's role here is pivotal, as she becomes central to the narrative's unfolding drama.with tambourines and dancing! The use of tambourines and dancing is reminiscent of other biblical celebrations, such as Miriam's song after the crossing of the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a>). These instruments and actions symbolize joy and victory, common in Israelite culture. The celebration underscores the initial joy of victory, contrasting with the impending sorrow.She was his only child; The emphasis on her being his only child highlights the gravity of Jephthah's vow (<a href="/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30-31</a>). In the ancient Near Eastern context, having offspring was crucial for inheritance and family lineage. This detail underscores the personal cost of Jephthah's vow, as it threatens the continuation of his family line.he had no son or daughter besides her. This phrase reiterates the uniqueness of Jephthah's daughter, emphasizing the depth of his impending loss. The absence of other children means that Jephthah's lineage and legacy are at stake. This situation parallels other biblical narratives where childlessness or the loss of an only child carries significant implications (<a href="/genesis/22-2.htm">Genesis 22:2</a>, <a href="/1_kings/17-17.htm">1 Kings 17:17-24</a>). The narrative invites reflection on the themes of sacrifice, faith, and the consequences of rash vows.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah</a> A judge of Israel, known for his vow to God and his leadership in defeating the Ammonites. His account is a mix of faith and tragedy. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jephthah's_daughter.htm">Jephthah's Daughter</a> The unnamed daughter of Jephthah, who becomes the central figure in the fulfillment of Jephthah's vow. Her joyful greeting turns into a moment of sorrow. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mizpah.htm">Mizpah</a> A place in Gilead where Jephthah lived. It serves as the setting for the return of Jephthah and the tragic encounter with his daughter. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_vow.htm">The Vow</a> Jephthah made a vow to God that if he were victorious over the Ammonites, he would offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of the door of his house to meet him upon his return. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_ammonites.htm">The Ammonites</a> The enemies of Israel whom Jephthah defeated, leading to his return and the subsequent fulfillment of his vow.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_our_words.htm">The Weight of Our Words</a> Jephthah's account reminds us of the power and responsibility of our words, especially vows made to God. We must be cautious and thoughtful in our commitments. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_consequences.htm">Faith and Consequences</a> While Jephthah's faith led to victory, his lack of foresight in making a vow led to personal tragedy. Faith must be coupled with wisdom. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_family.htm">The Role of Family</a> Jephthah's daughter is a poignant reminder of the impact our decisions have on our loved ones. Our actions and promises can deeply affect those closest to us. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_human_responsibility.htm">God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility</a> Jephthah's account illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. We must trust God while also making wise choices. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_victory.htm">The Cost of Victory</a> Jephthah's victory over the Ammonites came at a great personal cost. This teaches us to consider the potential costs of our pursuits and victories.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 11</a> <a href="/q/why_isn't_jephthah's_act_condemned.htm">Judges 11:34–39: If Jephthah’s daughter was actually sacrificed, why is there no explicit condemnation of this act elsewhere in Scripture? </a> <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> <a href="/q/who_was_jephthah's_daughter.htm">Who was Jephthah's daughter in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_dead_sea's_biblical_role.htm">What is Mizpah's significance in the Bible?</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>(34) Behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances.--As Miriam went to meet Moses (<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm" title="And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.">Exodus 15:20</a>), and the women to meet Saul and David (<a href="/context/1_samuel/18-6.htm" title="And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.">1Samuel 18:6-7</a>).His only child.--This is added because the narrator feels the full pathos of the story. (Comp. <a href="/genesis/22-2.htm" title="And he said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and get you into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.">Genesis 22:2</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-26.htm" title="O daughter of my people, gird you with sackcloth, and wallow yourself in ashes: make you mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come on us.">Jeremiah 6:26</a>; <a href="/luke/9-38.htm" title="And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech you, look on my son: for he is my only child.">Luke 9:38</a>.) The term used (yechidah) is peculiarly tender. The "beside her" is, literally, beside him; but this is only duo to a Hebrew idiom, which is also found in <a href="/zechariah/8-10.htm" title="For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbor.">Zechariah 8:10</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 34. - To his house. Soever. 11. His only child (Je'hid) - the same term as is applied to Isaac (<a href="/genesis/22-2.htm">Genesis 22:2</a>). Eusebius says that Cronus sacrificed his only son, who on that account was called Jeoud, which in the Phoenician tongue means an only son ('Prep. Evang.,' 4:17). <a href="/commentaries/judges/11-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And when Jephthah יִפְתָּ֣ח (yip̄·tāḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3316.htm">Strong's 3316: </a> Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah returned וַיָּבֹ֨א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go home בֵּיתוֹ֒ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house to Mizpah, הַמִּצְפָּה֮ (ham·miṣ·pāh) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4709.htm">Strong's 4709: </a> Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel there וְהִנֵּ֤ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! was his daughter בִתּוֹ֙ (ḇit·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> A daughter coming out יֹצֵ֣את (yō·ṣêṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to meet him לִקְרָאת֔וֹ (liq·rā·ṯōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7125.htm">Strong's 7125: </a> Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way with tambourines בְתֻפִּ֖ים (ḇə·ṯup·pîm) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8596.htm">Strong's 8596: </a> A timbrel, tambourine and dancing! וּבִמְחֹל֑וֹת (ū·ḇim·ḥō·lō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4246.htm">Strong's 4246: </a> A dance She הִ֣יא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was his only child; יְחִידָ֔ה (yə·ḥî·ḏāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> United, sole, beloved, lonely, the life he had ל֥וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> no אֵֽין־ (’ên-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle son בֵּ֖ן (bên) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son or אוֹ־ (’ōw-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> Desire, if daughter בַֽת׃ (ḇaṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> A daughter besides her. מִמֶּ֛נּוּ (mim·men·nū) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/11-34.htm">Judges 11:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">OT History: Judges 11:34 Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/11-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 11:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 11:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/11-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 11:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 11:35" /></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>