Judges 11:1

CHAPTER XI

The history of Jephthah, and his covenant with the Gileadites,

1-10.

He is elected by the people, 11.

Sends an embassy to the king of the Ammonites, to inquire why

they invaded Israel; and receives an answer, to which he sends

back a spirited reply, 12-27.

This is disregarded by the Ammonites, and Jephthah prepares for

battle, 28, 29.

His vow, 30, 31.

He attacks and defeats them, 32, 33.

On his return to Mizpeh he is met by his daughter, whom,

according to his vow, he dedicates to the Lord, 34-40.

NOTES ON CHAP. XI

Verse Judges 11:1. Now Jephthah - was the son of a harlot] I think the word זונה zonah, which we here render harlot, should be translated, as is contended for on Joshua 2:1, viz. a hostess, keeper of an inn or tavern for the accommodation of travellers; and thus it is understood by the Targum of Jonathan on this place: והוא בר אתתא פונדקיתא vehu bar ittetha pundekitha, "and he was the son of a woman, a tavern keeper." See the note referred to above. She was very probably a Canaanite, as she is called, Judges 11:2, a strange woman, אשה אחרת ishshah achereth, a woman of another race; and on this account his brethren drove him from the family, as he could not have a full right to the inheritance, his mother not being an Israelite.