📖 Biblical Definition
Jephthah was the ninth judge of Israel — the son of a harlot, driven out by his half-brothers for his birth, and forced to live on the margins of Israelite society. When the Ammonites threatened, the elders of Gilead came begging him to lead them (Judges 11:5-11). He prevailed and delivered Israel — but made a rash vow that whatever came out of his door first to greet him on his victorious return would be offered to the LORD. His only daughter came out (Judges 11:30-40). Scholars dispute whether she was literally sacrificed or perpetually consecrated as a virgin; the text’s grief is plain either way. Yet Jephthah is named in Hebrews 11:32’s great roll of faith. Compromised men, called of God, are still used.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Jephthah — a judge of Israel famed for his rash vow and his daughter.
expand to see more
Jephthah, a Gileadite of mixed birth and outcast youth, was named captain by the elders when Ammon threatened. He sought negotiation by Scripture before battle, won decisively, and then paid the cost of his unconsidered vow. Hebrews 11 lists him among the heroes of faith.
📖 Key Scripture
Judges 11:1 — "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour."
Judges 11:30 — "And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD."
Judges 11:34 — "And, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels."
Hebrews 11:32 — "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of... Jephthah."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Either explained away or used to indict God; the rashness of the vow is missed.
expand to see more
Some commentators try to soften the story by claiming Jephthah only dedicated his daughter to perpetual virginity. The text reads as a burnt offering; the daughter mourns her virginity, not her life.
The lesson is not that God demanded the sacrifice but that rash vows have terrible costs. Jephthah's faith won the battle; his unbridled tongue lost his daughter.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew yiphtach — 'he opens,' from pathach, 'to open.'
expand to see more
H3316 — Yiphtach — Jephthah
H6310 — peh — mouth, opening, speech
H5088 — neder — vow, votive offering
Usage
"Jephthah won the war and lost his daughter to his own tongue."
"Faith without restraint is a sword that cuts the wielder."
"Some battles are won by the Spirit and lost by the mouth."