Who was Jephthah?
Valiant warrior and judge.
Jephthah was a biblical figure from the Old Testament. He was a judge of Israel and the son of Gilead and a prostitute.
The story of Jephthah
He had several half-brothers, who were the sons of Gilead's wife. Jephthah was an outcast from his family and was driven away by his half-brothers. When the Ammonites threatened Israel, Jephthah was called upon to lead the Israelites in battle.
He made a vow to God that if he was victorious, he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house when he returned. Unfortunately, the first thing that came out of his house was his daughter. Jephthah was forced to keep his vow and sacrificed his daughter.
Jephthah is best known for his rash vow and the tragic consequences that followed. He is also remembered for his military prowess and his leadership of the Israelites in battle. He is an example of a leader who was willing to make a difficult decision and keep his word, even if it meant sacrificing something he loved.
- Name meaning
- He will open" or "God opens
- Name origin
- Hebrew
- Role
- Judge
- First mention
- Judges 11:1
- Appearances in the Bible
- 25 mentions
Family of Jephthah
View the Bible family treeQuestions about Jephthah
Who was Jephthah in the Bible?
Jephthah was a biblical figure from the Old Testament. He was a judge of Israel and the son of Gilead and a prostitute. He had several half-brothers, who were the sons of Gilead's wife. Jephthah was an outcast from his family and was driven away by his half-brothers. When the Ammonites threatened Israel, Jephthah was called upon to lead the Israelites in battle. He made a vow to God that if he was victorious, he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house when he returned. Unfortunately, the first thing that came out of his house was his daughter. Jephthah was forced to keep his vow and sacrificed his daughter. Jephthah is best known for his rash vow and the tragic consequences that followed. He is also remembered for his military prowess and his leadership of the Israelites in battle. He is an example of a leader who was willing to make a difficult decision and keep his word, even if it meant sacrificing something he loved.
What does the name Jephthah mean?
The name Jephthah means “He will open" or "God opens”. Origin: Hebrew.
Where is Jephthah first mentioned in the Bible?
Jephthah is first mentioned in Judges 11:1.
How many times is Jephthah mentioned in the Bible?
Number of mentions in the Bible: 25.
Who were the parents of Jephthah?
Parents: Gilead.
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