It might be well to start our study by seeing just who Jephthah was, and why he is mentioned in the Scriptures. There is really not much given us concerning him. We are told that he was born to an Israelite by the name of Gilead, his mother was a harlot (Judges 11).
In Adam Clarke’s commentary he thinks the harlot was more likely an innkeeper or tavern keeper; this was a common practice of women of the time and she was not necessarily a prostitute, as we would think today. He felt that the reference to her as a “strange woman” indicated that she was a Caananitish woman and not Jewish. We can understand why his brothers, apparently sons of Jewish wives, would force him to leave the family without any inheritance.
Some authorities think that Jephthah, being a displaced man with no property inheritance, became a raider and the leader of a band of men, who for one reason or another, were of similar circumstances. He did not seem to raid against the Israelites, but probably the nations who were Israel’s enemies, and had gained a reputation of being a skilled warrior and leader of men in war. This reputation attracted the men of Gilead to seek his help when the Ammonites threatened to make war against them. He agreed to lead them if they made him head over Gilead and they promised that they would do so.
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: The Advocate
Keywords: Jephthah, Jephthah's daughter
Bible reference(s): Judges 11:31-32, Judges 11:34, Judges 11:39
Source: “Question Box,” The Christadelphian Advocate.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.