Keraia
Judges 11

Judges 11:6

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

Translations

Modern
“Come,” they said, “be our commander, so that we can fight against the Ammonites.”
Traditional
And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
Literal
…and they said to Jephthah, “Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the sons of Ammon.”
Latin
…dixeruntque ad eum: Veni et esto princeps noster, et pugna contra filios Ammon.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Come,” they said, “be our commander, so that we can fight against the Ammonites.”

Notes

Judges 11:5–6

These elders were different from Jephthah’s brothers, although Jephthah’s initial response (Judges 11:7) seems to treat them as the same group. They had promised (Judges 10:18) that whoever led the attack against the Ammonites would become the ruler. Here, in typical Middle Eastern bargaining style, they only offered the position of commander, trying to reduce their initial promise.

Theme notes and profiles

Moab and Ammon

Events

People

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

Places

Ammon: An ancient nation and its capital city, enemies of Israel

Glossary

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

Topics

Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Jephthah: Made Captain of the Army Prayer: Answered: Ammon The Ammonites: Jephthah Raised up to Deliver Israel From