Keraia
Judges 11

Judges 11:17

Jephthah Delivers Israel · Judges 11:1–28
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Translations

Modern
Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel stayed in Kadesh.
Traditional
Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.
Literal
…and Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Let me pass, please, through your land,’ and the king of Edom did not listen. And in like manner they sent to the king of Moab, and he was not willing. And Israel remained in Kadesh.
Latin
Misitque nuntios ad regem Edom, dicens: Dimitte me ut transeam per terram tuam. Qui noluit acquiescere precibus ejus. Misit quoque ad regem Moab, qui et ipse transitum præbere contempsit. Mansit itaque in Cades,

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel stayed in Kadesh.

Notes

Judges 11:17

Kadesh served as Israel's base for exploring the land (Numbers 32:8; Deuteronomy 1:19; 2:14). The name comes from the Hebrew root "qadesh," meaning "holy," and likely refers to a shrine.

Judges 11:12–28

  • Jephthah first tried to solve the issue through diplomacy instead of using military force (compare Deuteronomy 20:10–11).

  • Unlike the nomadic and raiding Midianites from Gideon's time, the Ammonites were a settled tribe. Their land was east of Israel's territory in Transjordan (east of the Jordan River), with Rabbah as their capital. The Ammonites, like the Moabites (both who were descended from Lot) and the Edomites (descendants of Esau), were to be left alone because the Lord assigned their territories to them (Deuteronomy 2:16–23).

  • Contrary to the Ammonite king's claim, the Amorites, not the Ammonites or Moabites, lived between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers during the conquest. When Sihon refused to let Israel pass, the Lord gave the land of the Amorite kings Sihon and Og to Israel. The Ammonite king had no valid reason to argue with Israel.

Theme notes and profiles

Moab and Ammon The Exodus as History

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Edom: Descendants of Esau; enemy nation southeast of Israel Kadesh: An important oasis in the Wilderness of Zin Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Edom, Edomites Family Life and Relations Gilead (Place) Judges, Book of Mizpah Moab, Moabites Palestine

Topics

Ambassadors: Israelites to Various Nations Diplomacy of Jephthah, with the King of Moab, Unsuccessful Jephthah: His Message to the King of the Ammonites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin: The King of Edom Refuses a Passage Moabites: Refuse Passage of Jephthah's Army Through Their Territory Moabites: Refused to Let Israel Pass Prayer: Answered: Ammon The Ammonites: Jephthah Raised up to Deliver Israel From The Edomites: Refused Israel a Passage