Judges 11:2

Translations

Modern

And Gilead’s wife bore him sons who grew up, drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, because you are the son of another woman.”

Traditional

And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.

Literal

And the wife of Gilead bore to him sons, and the sons of his wife grew up, and they drove out Jephthah and said to him, “You shall not have an inheritance in the house of our father; for you are the son of another woman.”

Latin

Habuit autem Galaad uxorem, de qua suscepit filios: qui postquam creverant, ejecerunt Jephte, dicentes: Hæres in domo patris nostri esse non poteris, quia de altera matre natus es.

Original

Hebrew

English

And Gilead’s wife bore him sons who grew up, drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, because you are the son of another woman.”

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 Jephthahc. 1152 BC

Related verses

Deuteronomy 23:2
No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD, nor may any of his descendants, even to the tenth generation.
Proverbs 2:16
It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words
Genesis 12:10
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.
Galatians 4:30
But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”
Proverbs 5:20
Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger?
Proverbs 6:24–26
…to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
Proverbs 5:3
Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,

People

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Children: Illegitimate: Despised by Their Brethren Gilead: Father of Jephthah Jephthah: Illegitimate, and Therefore not Entitled to Inherit his Father's Property Prayer: Answered: Ammon Strife: Jephthah and his Brothers

Judges 11:2

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