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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 11:30 Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: "If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/11-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/07_Jdg_11_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 11:30 - Jephthah's Tragic Vow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/11-30.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/11-30.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 30</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/11-29.htm" title="Judges 11:29">◄</a> Judges 11:30 <a href="/judges/11-31.htm" title="Judges 11:31">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: &#8220If you give the Ammonites into my hands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD. He said, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If You will indeed hand over to me the sons of Ammon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, &#8220If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If Thou wilt indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Jephthah made a vow to Yahweh and said, “If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If You will indeed give the Ammonites into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If you in fact hand over the Ammonites to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: &#8220If You will hand over the Ammonites to me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah vowed a vow unto Jehovah, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />he promised the LORD, "If you will let me defeat the Ammonites <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into mine hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jephthah made a vow to the LORD. He said, "If you will really hand Ammon over to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jephthah promised the LORD: "If you will give me victory over the Ammonites, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jephthah made this solemn vow to the LORD: "If you truly give the Ammonites into my control, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, saying, "If you really do hand the Ammonites over to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, "If you will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh, and said, “If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah vows a vow to YHWH and says, “If You give the sons of Ammon into my hand at all—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jephthah voweth a vow to Jehovah, and saith, 'If Thou dost at all give the Bene-Ammon into my hand -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jephthah will vow a vow to Jehovah, and he will say, If giving, thou wilt give the sons of Ammon into my hand,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He made a vow to the Lord, saying: If thou wilt deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />he made a vow to the Lord, saying, “If you will deliver the sons of Ammon into my hands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah made a vow to the LORD. “If you deliver the Ammonites into my power,” he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If thou wilt surely deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Naphthakh vowed a vow to LORD JEHOVAH and said: “If you will fully hand over the sons of Amon into my hands<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said: 'If Thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jephthae vowed a vow to the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/11-30.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=3649" 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's Tragic Vow</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29</span>Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><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/5087.htm" title="5087: way·yid·dar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To vow. A primitive root; to promise.">made</a> <a href="/hebrew/5088.htm" title="5088: ne·ḏer (N-ms) -- A vow. Or neder; from nadar; a promise; also a thing promised.">this vow</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD:</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></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/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯō·wn (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">indeed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">You will deliver</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Ammonites</a> <a href="/hebrew/5983.htm" title="5983: ‘am·mō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A people living E. of the Jordan. From am; tribal, i.e. Inbred; Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏî (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">into my hand,</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”…<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="/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="/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="/psalms/66-13.htm">Psalm 66:13-14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></span><br />And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Genesis 28:20-22</a></span><br />Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear, / so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God. / And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/2-9.htm">Jonah 2:9</a></span><br />But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”<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="/acts/18-18.htm">Acts 18:18</a></span><br />Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.<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="/leviticus/27-2.htm">Leviticus 27:2-8</a></span><br />“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, / if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. / Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-7.htm">2 Samuel 15:7-8</a></span><br />After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. / For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’”<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="/acts/21-23.htm">Acts 21:23-24</a></span><br />Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. / Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-12.htm">James 5:12</a></span><br />Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If you shall without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Genesis 28:20</a></b></br> And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a></b></br> If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></b></br> And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Bene-Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/11-9.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/judges/11-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/11-21.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/10-10.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/2-15.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-23.htm">Vow</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-23.htm">Vowed</a> <a href="/numbers/30-3.htm">Voweth</a> <a href="/judges/11-24.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Bene-Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/14-12.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/11-39.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/judges/11-39.htm">Vow</a> <a href="/judges/11-39.htm">Vowed</a> <a href="/malachi/1-14.htm">Voweth</a> <a href="/judges/13-16.htm">Wilt</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>Jephthah made this vow to the LORD:</b><br>Jephthah, a judge of Israel, is known for his leadership and military prowess. His vow to the LORD reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of making vows to deities in exchange for divine favor. Vows were serious commitments, often involving significant personal sacrifice. In the context of Israel, vows to the LORD were binding and required fulfillment (<a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a>). Jephthah's vow indicates his reliance on divine intervention for victory, highlighting the importance of faith and commitment in Israel's relationship with God.<p><b>If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand:</b><br>The Ammonites were a neighboring people often in conflict with Israel. Their territory was east of the Jordan River, in present-day Jordan. The conflict with the Ammonites in <a href="/judges/11.htm">Judges 11</a> arose from territorial disputes, as the Ammonites claimed land that Israel had settled after the Exodus. Jephthah's request for deliverance underscores the recurring theme of Israel's dependence on God for military success. This phrase also echoes the broader biblical narrative of God delivering His people from their enemies, as seen in the stories of Moses, Joshua, and David. The deliverance sought by Jephthah is a reminder of God's sovereignty and the belief that victory in battle is ultimately granted by Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah</a></b><br>A judge of Israel, known for his leadership and military prowess. He was the son of Gilead and a harlot, which led to his initial rejection by his family and community.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, to whom Jephthah makes his vow. This reflects the theocratic nature of Israel's society, where God is seen as the ultimate authority and deliverer.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ammonites.htm">The Ammonites</a></b><br>A neighboring nation and frequent adversary of Israel. They were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with Israel over land and resources.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gilead.htm">Gilead</a></b><br>The region where Jephthah was from, located east of the Jordan River. It was a significant area during the time of the Judges.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vow.htm">The Vow</a></b><br>A solemn promise made by Jephthah to God, which plays a crucial role in the account and has significant theological and ethical implications.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_words.htm">The Weight of Words</a></b><br>Jephthah's vow reminds us of the power and responsibility of our words, especially when making promises to God. We should be cautious and deliberate in our commitments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_folly.htm">Faith and Folly</a></b><br>Jephthah's account illustrates the tension between faith in God's deliverance and the folly of rash decisions. It encourages believers to seek wisdom and discernment in their faith journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_human_responsibility.htm">God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility</a></b><br>While Jephthah sought God's help, his vow shows the interplay between divine sovereignty and human action. Believers are called to trust in God's plans while acting responsibly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rash_decisions.htm">The Consequences of Rash Decisions</a></b><br>The account warns of the potential negative outcomes of hasty decisions, urging believers to consider the long-term impact of their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/redemption_and_imperfection.htm">Redemption and Imperfection</a></b><br>Despite his flawed vow, Jephthah is remembered for his faith. This teaches that God can use imperfect people for His purposes, offering hope and redemption.<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/why_does_god_allow_jephthah's_vow.htm">Judges 11:30–31: How can a just God permit Jephthah’s vow, which appears to condone human sacrifice? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_jephthah's_daughter.htm">Who was Jephthah's daughter in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">Jephthah vowed a vow.</span>--This was a practice among all ancient nations, but specially among the Jews (<a href="/context/genesis/28-20.htm" title="And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,">Genesis 28:20-22</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm" title="And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.">1Samuel 1:11</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/15-8.htm" title="For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.">2Samuel 15:8</a>; <a href="/psalms/66-13.htm" title="I will go into your house with burnt offerings: I will pay you my vows,">Psalm 66:13</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 30, 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Jephthah vowed a vow</span>. This verse and the following go back to relate something which preceded his passing over to the children of Ammon, viz., his rash and unhappy vow. This is related, as so many things in Scripture are, without note or comment, and the reader must pass his own sentence upon the deed. That sentence can only be one of unreserved con- detonation on the part of any one acquainted with the spirit and letter of the word of God. Many attempts have been made to show that Jephthah only contemplated the offering of an animal in sacrifice; but the natural and indeed necessary interpretation of the words shows that he had a human victim in mind. He could not expect any but a human being to come forth from the doors of his house, nor could any but a human being come forth "to meet him" - a common phrase always spoken of men (<a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Genesis 14:17</a>; <a href="/genesis/24-65.htm">Genesis 24:65</a>; <a href="/exodus/4-14.htm">Exodus 4:14</a>; <a href="/exodus/18-7.htm">Exodus 18:7</a>; <a href="/numbers/20-20.htm">Numbers 20:20</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/25-34.htm">1 Samuel 25:34</a>, etc., and below in ver. 34). Obviously, in the greatness of his danger and the extreme hazard of his undertaking (<a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Judges 12:3</a>), he thought to propitiate God's favour by a terrible and extraordinary vow. But if we ask how Jephthah came to have such erroneous notions of the character of God, the answer is not far to seek. Jephthah was "the son of a strange woman," probably, as we have seen, a Syrian (<a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Judges 11:1-11</a>, note), and had passed many years of his life as an exile in Syria. Now it is well known that human sacrifices were frequently practised in Syria, as they were also by the Ammonites, who made their children pass through the fire to Moloch, and it cannot surprise us that a man brought up as Jephthah was, and leading the life of a freebooter at the head of a band of Syrian outlaws, should have the common Syrian notion of the efficacy of human sacrifices in great emergencies. His language, indeed, about Jehovah and Chemosh in ver. 24 savoured of semi-heathenism. Nor is it any valid objection that we are told in ver. 29 that "the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah." The phrase does not mean that thenceforth he was altogether under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that all that he did was inspired by the Spirit of truth and wisdom, but that the Spirit of the Lord inspired him with extraordinary strength and power for the great task of leading Israel to battle against the Ammonites. <span class="cmt_word">And I will offer</span>. The rendering suggested by some, or I will offer, meaning, if the first. comer is a human being he shall be the Lord's, or if it is an animal I will offer it as a burnt offering, is wholly inadmissible. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/11-30.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">Jephthah</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפְתָּ֥ח</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">made</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּדַּ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yid·dar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5087.htm">Strong's 5087: </a> </span><span class="str2">To promise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this vow</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֛דֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ne·ḏer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5088.htm">Strong's 5088: </a> </span><span class="str2">A promise, a thing promised</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD:</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | 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">“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">indeed</span><br /><span class="heb">נָת֥וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You will deliver</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתֵּ֛ן</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Ammonites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into my hands,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/11-30.htm">OT History: Judges 11:30 Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/11-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 11:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 11:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/11-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 11:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 11:31" /></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>