Judges 11:29-33

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 11:29-40

We have here Jephthah triumphing in a glorious victory, but, as an alloy to his joy, troubled and distressed by an unadvised vow. I. Jephthah's victory was clear, and shines very brightly, both to his honour and to the honour of God, his in pleading and God's in owning a righteous cause. 1. God gave him an excellent spirit, and he improved it bravely, Jdg. 11:29. When it appeared by the people's unanimous choice of him for their leader that he had so clear a call to engage, and by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:29

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah ,.... The spirit of strength, as the Targum; of fortitude of mind, of uncommon valour and courage, and of zeal for God and Israel, and against their enemies; such a spirit as used to be given to men, when they were in an extraordinary manner raised up by the Lord, to be judges, saviours, and deliverers of his people; so that as Jephthah was before chosen by the people to be the general and head of the tribes beyond Jordan, he was raised up and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:30

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord ,.... Before he set out for the land of the children of Ammon, and to fight with them; hoping that such a religious disposition of mind would be regarded by the Lord, and be acceptable to him, and he should be blessed with success in his enterprise: and said, if thou shall without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands ; though he was assured of the justness of his cause, and of his call to engage in it, he seems to have some little... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:31

Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me ,.... If this phrase, "to meet me", is meant intentionally, then no other than an human creature can be meant; a child, or servant, or any other of mankind; for none else could come forth with a design to meet him: but if this is to be understood eventually, of what might meet him, though not with design, then any other creature may be intended; and it must be meant what came forth first, as the Vulgate Latin... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:32

So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon, to fight against them ,.... As in Judges 11:29 , after he had made the above vow: and the Lord delivered them into his hands ; when both armies met and engaged, victory was on the side of Jephthah; the Lord being with him, and giving him success, to where all is justly ascribed. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:33

And he smote them from Aroer ,.... A city which lay near the river Arnon, on the borders of Moab, Deuteronomy 3:12 . even till thou come to Minnith ; which seems to have been a place famous for wheat, Ezekiel 27:17 so David de Pomis F1 Tzemach David, fol. 81. 3. says it was a place where the best wheat grew. Jerom says F2 De loc. Heb. fol. 93. E. in his time was shown a village called Mannith, four miles from Esbus (or Heshbon), as you go to Philadelphia. Josephus F3 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 11:29

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah - The Lord qualified him for the work he had called him to do, and thus gave him the most convincing testimony that his cause was good. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 11:31

Shall surely be the Lord ' s , and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering - The text is עולה והעליתיהו ליהוה והיה vehayah layhovah , vehaalithihu olah ; the translation of which, according to the most accurate Hebrew scholars, is this: I will consecrate it to the Lord, or I will offer it for a burnt-offering; that is, "If it be a thing fit for a burnt-offering, it shall be made one; if fit for the service of God, it shall be consecrated to him." That... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 11:33

Twenty cities - That is, he either took or destroyed twenty cities of the Ammonites, and completely routed their whole army. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 11:29

Then the Spirit of the Lord ... - This was the sanctification of Jephthah for his office of Judge and savior of God’s people Israel. Compare Judges 6:34; Judges 13:25. The declaration is one of the distinctive marks which stamp this history as a divine history.The geography is rather obscure, but the sense seems to be that Jephthah first raised all the inhabitants of Mount Gilead; then he crossed the Jabbok into Manasseh, and raised them; then he returned at the head of his new forces to his... read more

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