Judges 11:3

Jephthah Delivers Israel · Judges 11:1–28
Read Judges 11

Translations

Modern
So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where worthless men gathered around him and traveled with him.
Traditional
Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
Literal
And Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob. And worthless men gathered themselves to Jephthah and went out with him.
Latin
Quos ille fugiens atque devitans, habitavit in terra Tob: congregatique sunt ad eum viri inopes, et latrocinantes, et quasi principem sequebantur.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where worthless men gathered around him and traveled with him.

Notes

Jephthah’s worthless men remind us of Abimelech’s worthless and reckless men (see Judges 9:4), but Jephthah did not need to buy their loyalty.

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

People

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

Places

Tob: Region where Jephthah fled and recruited mercenaries

Glossary

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

Topics

Jephthah: Escapes the Violence of his Half-Brothers; Lives in the Land of Tob Prayer: Answered: Ammon Tob: A District in Syria