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The Story of Jephthah
Jephthah the Gileadite, driven out by his half-brothers, who led Israel against Ammon and made a rash vow.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, the son of Gilead and a prostitute. His half-brothers drove him out, and he lived in the land of Tob. Judges 11:1–3
When Ammon attacked, the elders of Gilead brought him back as their head. He vowed to offer whatever first came out of his house if he returned victorious; his only child, a daughter, came out to meet him. Judges 11:4–11Judges 11:29–40
He fought Ephraim at the Jordan and judged Israel six years. Hebrews names him among those who acted by faith. Judges 12:1–7Hebrews 11:32
Told in: Judges
Life at a glance
- Father
- Gilead Judges 11:1
- Mother
- A prostitute (not named) Judges 11:1
- Child
- One daughter, his only child (not named) Judges 11:34
- Judged
- Six years Judges 12:7
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Jephthah
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Driven out by his half-brothers
Gilead's other sons drive Jephthah out; he lives in Tob with a band of men.
Recalled to lead Gilead
The elders of Gilead ask him to fight Ammon and make him their head.
The vow and his daughter
Jephthah makes a vow, defeats Ammon, and his daughter comes out to meet him.
Fights Ephraim
The men of Gilead defeat Ephraim at the fords of the Jordan.
Family and relationships
- GileadFatherJudges 11:1
- His daughterDaughter, his only child (not named)Judges 11:34
- Sons of Gilead's wifeHalf-brothers (not named)Judges 11:2
- IbzanConnected: Judged before him of JephthahJudges 12:8
Family tree and genealogy
- Parents
- Gilead (father), Jephthah's mother (mother)
- Children
- Jephthah's daughter (daughter)
- Brothers and sisters
- Sons of Gilead's wife (half-brother)
Each relationship links to its passage in the family tree.
Books associated with Jephthah
- Judges Their story appears here
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
FaithLeadership
- What does Judges 11:12-28 show about how Jephthah first tried to deal with Ammon?
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