The only daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite, the 10th Judge of Israel

Daughter of Jephthah

Judges 11:34-40. Jephthah made a promise before he went to war with the Ammonites. He prayed that if God would give him victory over the Ammonites, he would dedicate to God and offer in sacrifice whoever was the first to come out of his home to greet him on his return.

That person was to turn out to be his only daughter.

Jephthah the Gileadite judged or led Israel for six years. Then he died and was buried in the town of Gilead.
Jephthah in Hebrew means: opposer.

Background Reading:

Jephthah the Gileadite and his only daughter

12:34 When Jephthah arrived at his home in Mizpah—surprise!—it was his daughter who came out to meet him, playing tambourines and dancing. She was his one and only child. Except for her, he had no other son or daughter. 35 When he saw her, he ripped his clothes and cried out, “Oh no! My daughter! You have terribly burdened me! You’ve joined those who are causing me trouble, because I’ve given my word to the LORD, and I cannot go back on it.

36 She told him, “My father, you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me according to what has come out of your own mouth, considering that the LORD has paid back your enemies, the Ammonites.” 37 Then she continued talking with her father, “Do this for me: leave me alone by myself for two months. I’ll go up to the mountains and cry there because I’ll never marry. My friends and I will go.”

38 So he said, “Go!” He sent her away for two months. She left with her friends and cried there on the mountains because she would never marry. 39 Later, after the two months were concluded, she returned to her father, and he fulfilled what he had solemnly vowed—and she never married. That’s how the custom arose in Israel 40 that for four days out of every year the Israeli women would go to mourn the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite in commemoration.
Judges 11:34-40


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