The Daughter of Jephthah

Some writers have observed that the Israelites of the time were decidedly barbarous; that Mosaic law (which forbade human sacrifice) was at this time widely disrespected; and that there are several other examples of rash vows to God with similarly terrible consequences.

Description of Illustration: a colorful, restored illustration of Jephthah's only child

Jephthah (pronounced /ˈdʒɛfθə/; Hebrew: יפתח‎‎ Yip̄tāḥ), appears in the Book of Judges as a judge over Israel for a period of six years (Judges 12:7). He lived in Gilead and was a member either of the tribe of Manasseh or of the tribe of Gad. His father's name is also given as Gilead and, as his mother is described as a prostitute, this may mean that his father may have been any of the men of that area. Jephthah led the Israelites in battle against Ammon and, after defeating the Ammonites, fulfilled a rash vow of his, by sacrificing his daughter. Traditionally, Jephthah is listed among major judges on the ground of the length of the biblical narrative referring to him, but his story also shows signs of minor judges, for instance only six years duration of his office as judge. Read more...

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