Judges 11:35

Translations

Modern

As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”

Traditional

And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back.

Literal

And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have caused me greatly to bow, and you are among those who trouble me. For I have given my word to YHWH, and I cannot turn back.”

Latin

Qua visa, scidit vestimenta sua, et ait: Heu me, filia mea! decepisti me, et ipsa decepta es: aperui enim os meum ad Dominum, et aliud facere non potero.

Original

Hebrew

English

As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”

Notes

Judges 11:35

Jephthah made a hasty promise and then blamed his daughter for the outcome. He did not consider the guidance of Scripture. Vows were usually unbreakable (Numbers 30:2), but the Old Testament allows exceptions for unwise vows (Numbers 30:6–8). Since the law forbade human sacrifice, he could have offered a substitute (Leviticus 27:1–8). Jephthah likely did not know these laws, possibly due to his upbringing far from Israel's main centers.

Theme notes and profiles

Moab and Ammon Vows to God

Events

Deliverance by Jephthah

Related verses

Genesis 42:36–38
Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!”
Matthew 14:7–9
…so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.
Psalm 15:4
…who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
Job 1:20
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
1 Samuel 14:44–45
And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”
2 Samuel 13:30–31
While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!”
2 Samuel 18:33
The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Judges 21:1–7
Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”
Ecclesiastes 5:2–6
Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
Genesis 37:34–35
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
Numbers 30:2–5
If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.
Genesis 37:29–30
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,

Glossary

Family Life and Relations Gilead (Place) Jephthah Judges, Book of Mizpah Palestine Word, Word of God, Words of God

Topics

Consecration: Jephthah, of his Daughter God: Preserver: Under Jephthah Jephthah: His Rash Vow Concerning Bis Daughter Making Promises Mourning for Calamities and Other Sorrows: Ripping the Garments Oaths: Rash: Jephthah Rashness: Jephthah's Vow Religious Zeal: Jephthah Rending: (Ripping, Tearing) of Garments, an Outward Sign of Affliction Vows: Rash by Jephthah

Judges 11:35

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics