Who was Jephthah?

Valiant warrior and judge.

The story of Jephthah

Jephthah - Judge
Jephthah - Judge
Born: -1159From: GileadJudge

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.

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

Relatives of Jephthah

Jephthah in the Bible

Explore all 3 chapters where Jephthah appears

Judges

Chapter 11

Jephthah's Vow

Jephthah, a judge, delivers Israel from the Ammonites.

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Judges

Chapter 12

Jephthah's Conflict with Ephraim

The Israelites are again oppressed and God raises up Samson to deliver them.

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1 Samuel

Chapter 12

David Anointed King

David is anointed as the next king of Israel by Samuel.

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