Jephthah Bible Study

Daughter of Jephthah

Christianity Oasis provides this Jephthah Bible study on the Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible story. We'll look into all aspects of the Bible seeking truth, understanding and peace.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Book of Judges
Chapter 10 and 11


Jephthah Bible Study

The Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Sacrifice

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our Jephthah Bible study looking into the Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Sacrifice story and how the very thought provoking Jephthah Bible study message affects your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

Jephthah Bible Study Lesson
The Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Story

It's a great day at Daily Bread for our study of the book of Judges. Last time we studied the story of Abimelech. After the death of Abimelech, there was a twenty-three year period when Tola judged Israel and after that Jair judged for twenty-two years. And that brings us to the end of the 5th cycle of sin to deliverance for Israel.

Then, the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord yet again, forsaking Him and turning to other gods. Again, the anger of the Lord was sparked and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Amorites, this time, for 18 years.

This time when the children of Israel could stand the oppression no longer, and they cried out to God, He reminded them of the many times He had already saved them and yet they continue to forsake Him. So He told them, I won't deliver you anymore. Go cry to the gods that you forsook me for, and let them help you with your troubles.

Jephthah Bible Study Truth
The Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Tragedy

But Israel prayed all the more, saying, Do with us whatever you wish, but please save us today, and they reverently showed their repentance to God. His soul was grieved for the misery they were going through.

Our God is so merciful (just as any parent that hates to see their children in distress) and He again forgave (just as parents from the beginning of time forgive their children over and over and over again), and He again sent a deliverer for His children Israel, so let's find out what happened.

There was a man named Gilead who begat a son born of an harlot. His name was Jephthah. Now Gilead's wife bear him sons, and when they grew up, they rejected Jephthah, saying, You will not inherit our father's estate with us because you're the son of a strange woman. So Jephthah left and lived in the land of Tob, where he kept company with worthless men, though he himself was truly a strong and brave man.

Jephthah Bible Study Teaching
The Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Concern

Then the Ammonites made war against Israel and the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah in Tob and said, Come and be our leader and help us fight the children of Ammon.

Well, you can almost picture Jephthah, scratching his head with one finger as he replied, Aren't you the same people that hated me and kicked me out of my father's house? Why do you come to me now that you're in trouble? They begged him to accept the position and they swore they would appoint him leader over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

So Jephthah sent a message to the king of Ammon asking, Why do you want to fight with me in my land? The king sent a message in return saying, Israel took my land when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon to Jabbock, so give it back peaceably.

But Jephthah confidently reminded the king that God delivered the land into the hand of Israel.

Numbers 21:24

And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.

Deuteronomy 3:16

And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon ...

Jephthah Bible Study on Vows
The Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Oaths

Then Jephthah added, Would you not take what your god gives you to possess? And why have you not recaptured that land for the last 300 years since Israel has inhabited this land and all her towns and cities.

How have I done you wrong that you come to fight me ... No, you are the one who does ME wrong, let the Lord be the Judge this day between Israel and Ammon. But the king would not listen.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah and he went over to the children of Ammon, and he vowed a vow:

Judges 11:30-31

30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

Jephthah Bible Study Warning
The Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Danger

And the Lord did deliver them into Jephthah's hands. He defeated twenty cities and it was a tremendous victory, and Israel was free from the slavery that they had endured for 18 years.

But, as Jephthah went home, he met with sadness greater than the happiness he enjoyed from the victory, because his only daughter was the first to greet him upon his arrival, playing a timbrel and dancing and celebrating for the return of her father and the joy of his success.

Jephthah couldn't go back on his promise to the Lord and he was cut to the heart with grief, but his daughter was willing to accept her father's vow, because the Lord had freed Israel from their enemies.

She asked only that she could go with her companions and mourn her early death on the mountains for two months, and then she returned and Jephthah offered her, his only daughter as a burnt offering.

Jephthah Bible Study Conclusion
The Daughter of Jephthah in the Bible Summary

Quite a story, huh? Always remember that God did not demand or require that sacrifice from Jephthah. He offered it unknowing that it would be his daughter. He thought one of his animals would come to him first. The moral of this story? Watch what you vow to God when you are Spirit filled.

Let God's promise be enough. Such is the case with God's Grace. We can not and do not deserve it. Jesus was sacrificed by His Father because we would never be worthy according to the Old Covenant laws so, God in an unconditional Love that most cannot fathom, created a New Covenant.

This New Covenant required a serious blood sacrifice. Jesus raised His Hand and said here I am ... Send me (Spiritually speaking). There's plenty more ahead, so come on back soon and we'll share more Daily Bread!