Judges 11:1

Translations

Modern

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor; he was the son of a prostitute, and Gilead was his father.

Traditional

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

Literal

And Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor. And he was son of a woman, a prostitute. And Gilead begat Jephthah.

Latin

Fuit illo tempore Jephte Galaadites vir fortissimus atque pugnator, filius mulieris meretricis, qui natus est de Galaad.

Original

Hebrew

English

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor; he was the son of a prostitute, and Gilead was his father.

Notes

Judges 11:1–2

mighty man of valor: Jephthah had military skill and possibly social importance (see study note on Judges 6:12, where mighty man of valor is translated as “mighty hero”). Gilead was a descendant of Manasseh (Numbers 26:29–33; 32:39–40; 1 Chronicles 7:14–17). Jephthah's social standing made him noticeable, despite the shame of his mother being a prostitute. His half-brothers were not required to accept Jephthah's status or leadership.

Judges 11:1–3

Jephthah's leadership marked a change. He came from humble beginnings, gained followers, spoke well in debates, and had strong military skills. However, his hasty vow (Judges 11:30–31, 34–35) and his stubborn civil war with Ephraim (12:1–6) overshadowed these qualities. Even his victory lasted only six years (Judges 12:7). This period of decline increased the need for a king.

Theme notes and profiles

Moab and Ammon

Events

Deliverance by Jephthah

Related verses

Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,
Judges 6:12
And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
2 Kings 5:1
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

People

Gilead: Father of Jephthah, a judge of Israel Jephthah: A judge of Israel, known for his tragic vow

Places

Gilead: Mountainous region east of Jordan; tribal territory and personal name

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Birthright Family Life and Relations Gilead (Person) Gilead (Place) Jephthah Judges, Book of Mizpah Palestine

Topics

Adultery: Gilead Bastard: Jephthah Extraordinary Judges: Names of Jephthah Gilead: Ammonites Make War Against Gilead: Father of Jephthah Israel: The People Backslide, and are Given Over to the Philistines for Chastisement for Eighteen Years Jephthah: Illegitimate, and Therefore not Entitled to Inherit his Father's Property Judge: Jephthah Prayer: Answered: Ammon the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Jephthah

Judges 11:1

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