1Y JEFTÉ galaadita había llegado a ser un guerrero esforzado, mas era hijo de una ramera; y Galaad había engendrado a Jefté. 2La mujer de Galaad también le había dado hijos; pero cuando crecieron los hijos de su mujer, expulsaron a Jefté, diciéndole: Tú no tendrás herencia en casa de nuestro padre, porque eres hijo de otra mujer. 3Huyó pues Jefté de la presencia de sus hermanos y habitó en la tierra de Tob; donde se allegaron a Jefté hombres ociosos, que salían con él en sus correrías. 4¶Mas, andando el tiempo, aconteció que los hijos de Ammón hicieron guerra contra Israel. 5Y sucedió luego que los hijos de Ammón hicieron guerra contra Israel, que los ancianos de Galaad fueron a traer a Jefté de la tierra de Tob. 6Y decían a Jefté: Ven y hazte jefe nuestro, para que peleemos contra los hijos de Ammón. 7Jefté empero contestó a los ancianos de Galaad: ¿No me habéis odiado vosotros, y me expulsasteis de la casa de mi padre? ¿por qué pues venís a mí cuando os veis en apuro? 8Entonces los ancianos de Galaad dijeron a Jefté: Por lo mismo tornamos a ti ahora, para que vayas con nosotros y pelees contra los hijos de Ammón: y serás nuestro caudillo, es decir, de todos los moradores de Galaad. 9Dijo pues Jefté a los ancianos de Galaad: Si me hacéis volver para pelear contra los hijos de Ammón, y Jehová me los entregare, ¿he de ser yo vuestro caudillo? 10Y los ancianos respondieron a Jefté: Sea Jehová el Oidor entre nosotros; pues juramos que conforme a tu dicho, así mismo ha de ser. 11Por manera que fué Jefté con los ancianos de Galaad; y púsole el pueblo por su caudillo y jefe. Y profirió Jefté todas sus promesas delante de Jehová en Mizpa. 12¶Luego envió Jefté mensajeros al rey de los hijos de Ammón, diciendo: ¿Qué tienes tú que ver conmigo, para que hayas venido a pelear contra mí en mi tierra? 13Y replicó el rey de los hijos de Ammón a los mensajeros de Jefté: Por cuanto Israel se apoderó de mi tierra cuando subió de Egipto, desde el Arnón hasta el Jabboc y hasta el Jordán. Ahora pues devuelve esas tierras pacíficamente. 14Entonces Jefté volvió aún a enviar mensajeros al rey de los hijos de Ammón, 15y le dijo: Así dice Jefté: Nunca se apoderó Israel de la tierra de Moab, ni de la tierra de los hijos de Ammón. 16Porque cuando subió de Egipto, anduvo Israel por el desierto hasta el Mar Rojo, y llegó al fin a Cades. 17Entonces envió Israel mensajeros al rey de Edom, diciendo: Ruégote me permitas pasar por tu tierra: mas no consintió el rey de Edom. De la misma suerte también envió al rey de Moab; mas él no quiso: de modo que se quedó Israel en Cades. 18Después anduvo por el desierto, y dió la vuelta a la tierra de Edom y a la tierra de Moab, y vino por el lado oriental de la tierra de Moab, y asentó campamento al otro lado del Arnón: mas no entró en los confines de Moab; porque el Arnón era el término de Moab. 19Entonces Israel envió mensajeros a Sehón, rey amorreo, que reinaba en Hesbón; y le dijo Israel: Ruégote me permitas pasar por tu tierra hasta mi lugar. 20Pero Sehón no se fió de Israel para dejarle pasar por su territorio; antes reunió Sehón todo su pueblo, y acampó en Jahaz, y peleó contra Israel. 21Y Jehová, el Dios de Israel, entregó a Sehón y a todo su pueblo en mano de Israel, quien los hirió; y posesionóse Israel de toda la tierra de los Amorreos que habitaban en aquel país. 22De esta suerte se posesionaron de todo el territorio de los Amorreos desde el Arnón hasta el Jabboc, y desde el desierto hasta el Jordán. 23Ahora pues, Jehová el Dios de Israel desposeyó a los Amorreos de su tierra delante de su pueblo Israel, ¿y tú por ventura la has de poseer? 24¿No es cierto que lo que te hiciere poseer Cemos tu dios, lo seguirás poseyendo? Así pues, todo aquello de que Jehová nuestro Dios haya desposeído a nuestros adversarios, delante de nosotros, nosotros continuaremos poseyendo. 25Y ahora ¿tienes tú acaso más derecho que Balac hijo de Zipor, rey de Moab? ¿Contendió él jamás con Israel, o peleó alguna vez contra él? 26Mientras tanto ha habitado Israel en Hesbón y sus aldeas, y en Aroer y sus aldeas, y en todas las ciudades que hay a las riberas del Arnón, por espacio de trescientos años; ¿y por qué no las habéis recobrado en ese tiempo? 27Yo pues no he pecado contra ti, mas tú me haces a mí agravio, peleando contra mí. ¡Jehová, el Juez, juzgue hoy entre los hijos de Israel y los hijos de Ammón! 28Mas no escuchó el rey de los hijos de Ammón las razones de Jefté, que éste le había enviado a decir. 29Y estuvo sobre Jefté el Espíritu de Jehová; pasó pues por Galaad, y por Manasés; pasó también a Mizpa de Galaad, y desde Mizpa de Galaad pasó adelante contra los hijos de Ammón. 30Y profirió Jefté un voto a Jehová, y dijo: Si tú de seguro entregares a los hijos de Ammón en mi mano, 31entonces será que lo que primero saliere por las puertas de mi casa, a encontrarme cuando volviere en paz de los hijos de Ammón, será para Jehová, y lo ofreceré en holocausto. 32¶Jefté pues pasó adelante hasta los hijos de Ammón, para pelear contra ellos; y entrególos Jehová en su mano. 33Y los hirió desde Aroer hasta llegar a Minit, inclusas veinte ciudades, y hasta Abel-queramin, con muy gran destrozo: de esta manera fueron humillados los hijos de Ammón delante de los hijos de Israel. 34¶Entonces vino Jefté a Mizpa, a su casa: ¡y he aquí a su hija, que salía a recibirle con panderos y con danzas! y ella era la sola, única hija suya; además de ella no tenía ni hijo ni hija. 35Y fué así que como él la viese, rasgó sus vestidos, y le dijo: ¡Ay de mí, hija mía! me has abatido por completo; y tú has venido a ser del número de los que me tienen turbado; porque he abierto mi boca a Jehová, y no podré volver atrás. 36A lo cual le respondió su hija: Padre mío, puesto que has abierto tu boca a Jehová, haz conmigo conforme a lo que profirió tu boca; ya que Jehová te ha vengado de tus enemigos, los hijos de Ammón. 37Dijo además a su padre: Hágase conmigo esto: Déjame por dos meses, para que yo vaya y me humille sobre las montañas, y llore mi virginidad, yo y mis compañeras. 38Y él dijo: Vé. La despidió pues por dos meses; y ella fué con sus compañeras, y lloró su virginidad sobre las montañas. 39Y sucedió que al fin de los dos meses, ella volvió a su padre, el cual cumplió con ella el voto que había hecho: y ella nunca conoció varón. Y se hizo costumbre en Israel 40que de año en año iban las hijas de Israel a celebrar a la hija de Jefté galaadita, cuatro días en el año.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 JEPHTHAH. (
Judg 11:1-
Judg 11:3)
Jephthah--"opener."
son of an harlot--a concubine, or foreigner; implying an inferior sort of marriage prevalent in Eastern countries. Whatever dishonor might attach to his birth, his own high and energetic character rendered him early a person of note.
Gilead begat Jephthah--His father seems to have belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (
1Chr 7:14,
1Chr 7:17).
2 Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house--As there were children by the legitimate wife, the son of the secondary one was not entitled to any share of the patrimony, and the prior claim of the others was indisputable. Hence, as the brothers of Jephthah seem to have resorted to rude and violent treatment, they must have been influenced by some secret ill-will.
3 Jephthah . . . dwelt in the land of Tob--on the north of Gilead, beyond the frontier of the Hebrew territories (
2Sam 10:6,
2Sam 10:8).
there were gathered vain men to Jephthah--idle, daring, or desperate.
and went out with him--followed him as a military chief. They led a freebooting life, sustaining themselves by frequent incursions on the Ammonites and other neighboring people, in the style of Robin Hood. The same kind of life is led by many an Arab or Tartar still, who as the leader of a band, acquires fame by his stirring or gallant adventures. It is not deemed dishonorable when the expeditions are directed against those out of his own tribe or nation. Jephthah's mode of life was similar to that of David when driven from the court of Saul.
4 THE GILEADITES COVENANT WITH JEPHTHAH. (
Judg 11:4-
Judg 11:11)
in process of time--on the return of the season.
the children of Ammon made war against Israel--Having prepared the way by the introduction of Jephthah, the sacred historian here resumes the thread of his narrative from
Judg 10:17. The Ammonites seem to have invaded the country, and active hostilities were inevitable.
5 the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah--All eyes were directed towards him as the only person possessed of the qualities requisite for the preservation of the country in this time of imminent danger; and a deputation of the chief men was despatched from the Hebrew camp at Mizpeh to solicit his services.
7 Jephthah said, Did not ye hate me?--He gave them at first a haughty and cold reception. It is probable that he saw some of his brothers among the deputies. Jephthah was now in circumstances to make his own terms. With his former experience, he would have shown little wisdom or prudence without binding them to a clear and specific engagement to invest him with unlimited authority, the more especially as he was about to imperil his life in their cause. Although ambition might, to a certain degree, have stimulated his ready compliance, it is impossible to overlook the piety of his language, which creates a favorable impression that his roving life, in a state of social manners so different from ours, was not incompatible with habits of personal religion.
10 the elders of Israel said unto Jephthah, The Lord be witness between us--Their offer being accompanied by the most solemn oath, Jephthah intimated his acceptance of the mission, and his willingness to accompany them. But to make "assurance doubly sure," he took care that the pledge given by the deputies in Tob should be ratified in a general assembly of the people at Mizpeh; and the language of the historian, "Jephthah uttered all his words before the Lord," seems to imply that his inauguration with the character and extraordinary office of judge was solemnized by prayer for the divine blessing, or some religious ceremonial.
12 HIS EMBASSY TO THE KING OF AMMON. (Jdg. 11:12-28)
Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon--This first act in his judicial capacity reflects the highest credit on his character for prudence and moderation, justice and humanity. The bravest officers have always been averse to war; so Jephthah, whose courage was indisputable, resolved not only to make it clearly appear that hostilities were forced upon him, but to try measures for avoiding, if possible, an appeal to arms: and in pursuing such a course he was acting as became a leader in Israel (
Deut 20:10-
Deut 20:18).
13 the king of Ammon . . ., Because Israel took away my land--(See on
Deut 2:19). The subject of quarrel was a claim of right advanced by the Ammonite monarch to the lands which the Israelites were occupying. Jephthah's reply was clear, decisive, and unanswerable;--first, those lands were not in the possession of the Ammonites when his countrymen got them, and that they had been acquired by right of conquest from the Amorites [
Judg 11:21]; secondly, the Israelites had now, by a lapse of three hundred years of undisputed possession, established a prescriptive right to the occupation [
Judg 11:22-
Judg 11:23]; and thirdly, having received a grant of them from the Lord, his people were entitled to maintain their right on the same principle that guided the Ammonites in receiving, from their god Chemosh, the territory they now occupied [
Judg 11:24]. This diplomatic statement, so admirable for the clearness and force of its arguments, concluded with a solemn appeal to God to maintain, by the issue of events, the cause of right and justice [
Judg 11:27].
28 Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah--His remonstrances to the aggressor were disregarded, and war being inevitable, preparations were made for a determined resistance.
29 HIS VOW. (
Judg 11:29-
Judg 11:31)
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah--The calm wisdom, sagacious forethought, and indomitable energy which he was enabled to display, were a pledge to himself and a convincing evidence to his countrymen, that he was qualified by higher resources than his own for the momentous duties of his office.
he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh--the provinces most exposed and in danger, for the purpose of levying troops, and exciting by his presence a widespread interest in the national cause. Returning to the camp at Mizpeh, he then began his march against the enemy. There he made his celebrated vow, in accordance with an ancient custom for generals at the outbreak of a war, or on the eve of a battle, to promise the god of their worship a costly oblation, or dedication of some valuable booty, in the event of victory. Vows were in common practice also among the Israelites. They were encouraged by the divine approval as emanating from a spirit of piety and gratitude; and rules were laid down in the law for regulating the performance. But it is difficult to bring Jephthah's vow within the legitimate range (see on
Lev 27:28).
31 whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me--This evidently points not to an animal, for that might have been a dog; which, being unclean, was unfit to be offered; but to a person, and it looks extremely as if he, from the first, contemplated a human sacrifice. Bred up as he had been, beyond the Jordan, where the Israelitish tribes, far from the tabernacle, were looser in their religious sentiments, and living latterly on the borders of a heathen country where such sacrifices were common, it is not improbable that he may have been so ignorant as to imagine that a similar immolation would be acceptable to God. His mind, engrossed with the prospect of a contest, on the issue of which the fate of his country depended, might, through the influence of superstition, consider the dedication of the object dearest to him the most likely to ensure success.
shall surely be the Lord's; and [or] I will offer it up for a burnt offering--The adoption of the latter particle, which many interpreters suggest, introduces the important alternative, that if it were a person, the dedication would be made to the service of the sanctuary; if a proper animal or thing, it would be offered on the altar.
32 HE OVERCOMES THE AMMONITES. (
Judg 11:32-
Judg 11:33)
Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon . . . and the Lord delivered them into his hands--He met and engaged them at Aroer, a town in the tribe of Gad, upon the Arnon. A decisive victory crowned the arms of Israel, and the pursuit was continued to Abel (plain of the vineyards), from south to north, over an extent of about sixty miles.
34 Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances--The return of the victors was hailed, as usual, by the joyous acclaim of a female band (
1Sam 18:6), the leader of whom was Jephthah's daughter. The vow was full in his mind, and it is evident that it had not been communicated to anyone, otherwise precautions would doubtless have been taken to place another object at his door. The shriek, and other accompaniments of irrepressible grief, seem to indicate that her life was to be forfeited as a sacrifice; the nature of the sacrifice (which was abhorrent to the character of God) and distance from the tabernacle does not suffice to overturn this view, which the language and whole strain of the narrative plainly support; and although the lapse of two months might be supposed to have afforded time for reflection, and a better sense of his duty, there is but too much reason to conclude that he was impelled to the fulfilment by the dictates of a pious but unenlightened conscience.