New International VersionAnd Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands,
New Living TranslationAnd Jephthah made a vow to the LORD. He said, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites,
English Standard VersionAnd Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand,
Berean Standard BibleJephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,
King James BibleAnd Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
New King James VersionAnd Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands,
New American Standard BibleAnd Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If You will indeed hand over to me the sons of Ammon,
NASB 1995Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,
NASB 1977 And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If Thou wilt indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,
Legacy Standard Bible Then Jephthah made a vow to Yahweh and said, “If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand,
Amplified BibleJephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If You will indeed give the Ammonites into my hand,
Christian Standard BibleJephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If you in fact hand over the Ammonites to me,
Holman Christian Standard BibleJephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If You will hand over the Ammonites to me,
American Standard VersionAnd Jephthah vowed a vow unto Jehovah, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,
Contemporary English Versionhe promised the LORD, "If you will let me defeat the Ammonites
English Revised VersionAnd Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into mine hand,
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJephthah made a vow to the LORD. He said, "If you will really hand Ammon over to me,
Good News TranslationJephthah promised the LORD: "If you will give me victory over the Ammonites,
International Standard VersionJephthah made this solemn vow to the LORD: "If you truly give the Ammonites into my control,
NET BibleJephthah made a vow to the LORD, saying, "If you really do hand the Ammonites over to me,
New Heart English BibleJephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, "If you will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hand,
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,
World English BibleJephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh, and said, “If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jephthah vows a vow to YHWH and says, “If You give the sons of Ammon into my hand at all—
Young's Literal Translation And Jephthah voweth a vow to Jehovah, and saith, 'If Thou dost at all give the Bene-Ammon into my hand --
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jephthah will vow a vow to Jehovah, and he will say, If giving, thou wilt give the sons of Ammon into my hand, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe made a vow to the Lord, saying: If thou wilt deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,
Catholic Public Domain Versionhe made a vow to the Lord, saying, “If you will deliver the sons of Ammon into my hands,
New American BibleJephthah made a vow to the LORD. “If you deliver the Ammonites into my power,” he said,
New Revised Standard VersionAnd Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If thou wilt surely deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Naphthakh vowed a vow to LORD JEHOVAH and said: “If you will fully hand over the sons of Amon into my hands OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said: 'If Thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Jephthae vowed a vow to the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Jephthah's Tragic Vow29Then 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. 30Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, 31then 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.”…
Cross References Numbers 30:2If 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.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5When 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.
Deuteronomy 23:21-23If 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.
Psalm 66:13-14I 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.
1 Samuel 1:11And 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.”
Genesis 28:20-22Then 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.”
Jonah 2:9But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”
Matthew 5:33-37Again, 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. ...
Acts 18:18Paul 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.
Proverbs 20:25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
Leviticus 27:2-8“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. ...
2 Samuel 15:7-8After 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.’”
Psalm 50:14Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
Acts 21:23-24Therefore 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.
James 5:12Above 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.
Genesis 28:20
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, Numbers 30:2
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. 1 Samuel 1:11
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. Jump to Previous Ammon Ammonites Bene-Ammon Children Deliver Hand Hands Indeed Jephthah Oath Vow Vowed Voweth WiltJump to Next Ammon Ammonites Bene-Ammon Children Deliver Hand Hands Indeed Jephthah Oath Vow Vowed Voweth WiltJudges 11 1. The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead12. The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain29. Jephthah's vow32. His conquest of the Ammonites34. He performs his vow on his daughter.Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: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 ( Numbers 30:2). Jephthah's vow indicates his reliance on divine intervention for victory, highlighting the importance of faith and commitment in Israel's relationship with God. If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand:
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 Judges 11 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. JephthahA 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. 2. The LORDThe 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. 3. The AmmonitesA neighboring nation and frequent adversary of Israel. They were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with Israel over land and resources. 4. GileadThe region where Jephthah was from, located east of the Jordan River. It was a significant area during the time of the Judges. 5. The VowA solemn promise made by Jephthah to God, which plays a crucial role in the account and has significant theological and ethical implications. Teaching Points The Weight of WordsJephthah'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. Faith and FollyJephthah'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. God's Sovereignty and Human ResponsibilityWhile 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. The Consequences of Rash DecisionsThe account warns of the potential negative outcomes of hasty decisions, urging believers to consider the long-term impact of their actions. Redemption and ImperfectionDespite his flawed vow, Jephthah is remembered for his faith. This teaches that God can use imperfect people for His purposes, offering hope and redemption. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 11:30?
2. What does Jephthah's vow in Judges 11:30 teach about making promises to God?
3. How can we ensure our vows align with God's will and Scripture?
4. What other biblical examples caution against rash vows or promises?
5. How does Judges 11:30 challenge us to trust God's plans over our own?
6. In what ways can we apply Jephthah's story to our daily decision-making?
7. Why did Jephthah vow to sacrifice whatever came out of his house in Judges 11:30?
8. How does Judges 11:30 align with God's character and teachings in the Bible?
9. What historical context influenced Jephthah's vow in Judges 11:30?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 11?
11. Why did God allow Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter in Judges 11 without stopping him?
12. Judges 11:30–31: How can a just God permit Jephthah’s vow, which appears to condone human sacrifice?
13. Who was Jephthah's daughter in the Bible?
14. Judges 11:34–39: If Jephthah’s daughter was actually sacrificed, why is there no explicit condemnation of this act elsewhere in Scripture? What Does Judges 11:30 Mean Setting the sceneJudges 11:29 records, “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah.” Filled with God’s power, he advances toward the Ammonite threat that has oppressed Israel for eighteen years (Judges 10:8). His heart is stirred, but the battle still looms.
Jephthah made this vow• Vows were accepted, serious acts of worship (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Numbers 30:2). • By vowing, Jephthah publicly binds himself to the outcome God alone can bring, echoing earlier leaders who vowed in crisis—Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:20-22) and Hannah at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:11). • The narrative treats the vow as factual history, underscoring that Scripture faithfully records human words and God’s oversight.
to the LORD• The vow is directed exclusively to Yahweh, contrasting Israel’s past flirtation with the false gods listed in Judges 10:6. • This distinction reinforces the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) and displays Jephthah’s renewed allegiance. • Psalm 50:14 links vows to thanksgiving; Jephthah’s promise presumes that victory will lead to grateful worship, not personal glory.
If indeed You will deliver• The phrase “If indeed” is not bargaining from unbelief but the formal structure of a conditional vow, much like Gideon’s plea for assurance (Judges 6:36-37) yet without the testing sign. • Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns against rash promises; Jephthah is earnest, yet the narrative will reveal how weighty a conditional vow can become. • Salvation from enemies consistently flows from the LORD’s hand (Psalm 18:2; 44:3), so Jephthah is placing the outcome where it belongs—on divine intervention.
the Ammonites• These descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:38) have repeatedly opposed Israel (Deuteronomy 2:19; Judges 3:13). • Their assault involved land disputes east of the Jordan (Judges 11:13), but ultimately it was an attack on God’s covenant people, making the LORD’s name stake in the conflict.
into my hand• “Into my hand” expresses confidence that victory will be personal yet God-given (1 Samuel 17:46, David vs. Goliath). • Judges often experience God’s deliverance this way: Othniel (Judges 3:10) and Deborah/Barak (Judges 4:14) both saw enemies handed over. • The phrase implies stewardship—Jephthah will be accountable for how he handles the victory God entrusts to him.
Application points• Vows should spring from faith, not manipulation; God values integrity over negotiation (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). • Spiritual zeal must be matched with biblical wisdom; knowing God’s character and commands guards us from rash commitments. • Recognizing God as the true Deliverer fosters humility and dependence rather than self-reliance.
summaryJudges 11:30 shows Jephthah, freshly empowered by the Spirit, pledging himself to God’s honor in the coming battle. The vow underscores Israel’s need for divine rescue, highlights the seriousness of promises made to the LORD, and reminds us that victory over any enemy—ancient or modern—rests in God’s hand, not our own. (30) Jephthah vowed a vow.--This was a practice among all ancient nations, but specially among the Jews ( Genesis 28:20-22; 1Samuel 1:11; 2Samuel 15:8; Psalm 66:13). Verses 30, 31. - And Jephthah vowed a vow. 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 ( Genesis 14:17; Genesis 24:65; Exodus 4:14; Exodus 18:7; Numbers 20:20; 1 Samuel 25:34, etc., and below in ver. 34). Obviously, in the greatness of his danger and the extreme hazard of his undertaking ( Judges 12:3), 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 ( Judges 11:1-11, 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. And I will offer. 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.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Jephthahיִפְתָּ֥ח (yip̄·tāḥ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3316: Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judahmadeוַיִּדַּ֨ר (way·yid·dar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5087: To promisethis vowנֶ֛דֶר (ne·ḏer)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promisedto the LORD:לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel“Ifאִם־ (’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notindeedנָת֥וֹן (nā·ṯō·wn)Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5414: To give, put, setYou will deliverתִּתֵּ֛ן (tit·tên)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, setthe Ammonitesבְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A soninto my hands,בְּיָדִֽי׃ (bə·yā·ḏî)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand
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OT History: Judges 11:30 Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh (Jd Judg. Jdg) |
