_JEPHTHAH'S COVENANT WITH THE GILEADITES: HIS VOW; WHICH HE PERFORMETH ON HIS DAUGHTER._ _Before Christ 1186._ _JUDGES 11:1. THE SON OF AN HARLOT_— See the note on Joshua 2:1. Josephus understands it, that he was a stranger by the mother's side. The meaning of the original word, which we render _... [ Continue Reading ]
JEPHTHAH UTTERED ALL HIS WORDS BEFORE THE LORD— It is evident from these words, that Jephthah was a man of true religion, and had a serious regard for God; since, though the people had done all that was necessary on their part, he would undertake nothing without God's approbation; a remark which wil... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT NOT THOU POSSESS THAT WHICH CHEMOSH THY GOD, &C.— This is plainly an argument _ad hominem,_ in which Jephthah does not by any means confess _Chemosh_ to be a god; but only argues with the king of the Ammonites, from the opinion which he and his people had, that _Chemosh,_ whom they worshipped,... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SURELY BE THE LORD'S; AND I WILL OFFER IT UP FOR A BURNT-OFFERING— _Shall be consecrated to the Lord, or I will offer it,_ &c. Waterland. It is very evident, that this translation by Dr. Waterland must be right; because it was impossible that Jephthah should mean to _offer for a burnt-offerin... [ Continue Reading ]
IT CAME TO PASS AT THE END OF TWO MONTHS— When Jephthah returned victorious, he was met by his daughter, who accordingly became the object of his vow, and therefore, as we understand it, being in every respect improper for a burnt-offering, she was to be devoted to a single state in the service of t... [ Continue Reading ]