Judges 11:34-39

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 11:34

And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house ,.... Where he had uttered his words before the Lord, which had passed between him and the elders of Gilead, and from whence he set out to fight the children of Ammon, and whither he returned after he had got the victory over them, Judges 11:11 and where it seems he had a house, and his family dwelt; for upon his being fetched from the land of Tab, he brought what family he had with him, and settled them at Mizpeh, while he went on the expedition... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:35

And it came to pass, when he saw her ,.... She being the first person that presented to his view, as she was at the head of the virgins with their timbrels and dances: that he rent his clothes ; as was the usual manner, when anything calamitous and distressing happened; see Genesis 37:34 . and said, alas, my daughter, thou hast brought me very low ; damped his spirits, sunk him very low, so that he was ready to drop into the earth, as we say; he that was now returning in triumph,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:36

And she said unto him, my father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord ,.... The conditional word "if" may be left out, as it is not in the original text; for her father had told her that he had opened his mouth, or made a vow to the Lord, and had no doubt explained it to her what it was, though it is not expressed; she knew it respected her, as it had issued, and was concerning her, as appears by her later request: do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:37

And she said unto her father, let this thing be done for me ,.... She had but one favour to ask of him, which she thought might be granted, without any breach of the vow: let me alone two months she desired such a space of time might be allowed her before the vow took place; and the rather she might be encouraged to expect that her request would be granted, since no time was fixed by the vow for the accomplishment of it, and since the time she asked was not very long, and the end to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:38

And he said, go ,.... He granted her request at once: and he sent her away for two months ; as she desired: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains ; for the space of two months: the Jewish commentators make mention of an allegorical exposition of a writer F9 Tanchuma. of theirs, who by mountains understands the sanhedrim, to whom she proposed to go, who perhaps might find a way for the loosing of the vow; but it is a question whether... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:39

And it came to pass at the end of two months she returned to her father ,.... For the request she made was not a pretence to make her escape out of his hands; but having done what she proposed to do, and the time fixed for it being come, she returned to her father's house, and delivered herself to him: who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed : but what he did is a question, and which is not easily resolved; some think he really sacrificed her, through a mistaken sense of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 11:34

With timbrels and with dances - From this instance we find it was an ancient custom for women to go out to meet returning conquerors with musical instruments, songs, and dances; and that it was continued afterwards is evident from the instance given 1 Samuel 18:6 , where David was met, on his return from the defeat of Goliath and the Philistines, by women from all the cities of Israel, with singing and dancing, and various instruments of music. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 11:35

Thou hast brought me very low - He was greatly distressed to think that his daughter, who was his only child, should be, in consequence of his vow, prevented from continuing his family in Israel; for it is evident that he had not any other child, for besides her, says the text, he had neither son nor daughter, Judges 11:34 . He might, therefore, well be grieved that thus his family was to become extinct in Israel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 11:36

And she said unto him - What a pattern of filial piety and obedience! She was at once obedient, pious, and patriotic. A woman to have no offspring was considered to be in a state of the utmost degradation among the Hebrews; but she is regardless of all this, seeing her father is in safety, and her country delivered. read more

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