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Jephthah
Jephthah
יִפְתָּח Ἰεφθάε yiph.tach
Jephthah (Hebrew: יִפְתָּח, yiph.tach) is a biblical name; its Hebrew etymology is not securely established. It appears in 26 verses across 3 books of the Bible. In 2018 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Appears in the same passages as Abdon.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Jephthah
son of Gilead
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 26 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
Based on 2018 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2018 | 5 | Steady |
| All-time total | 17 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 6 in 2015 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Judges 11:1 |
| Last appears | Hebrews 11:32 |
| Cross-references | 305 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Gilead co-occurrence Appears with Gilead in Judges 11.
- Ben-ammi co-occurrence Appears with Ben-ammi in Judges 11.
- Barak co-occurrence Appears with Barak in 1 Samuel 12.
- Gideon co-occurrence Appears with Gideon in 1 Samuel 12.
- Manasseh co-occurrence Appears with Manasseh in Judges 11.
- Samuel co-occurrence Appears with Samuel in 1 Samuel 12.
- Abdon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Abdon.
- Elon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Elon.
Origin & meaning
A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.11.1;
son of: Gilead (H1568I)
Also named: Iephthae (Ἰεφθάε "Jephthah" G2422)
§ Jephthah or Jiphtah = "he opens"
1) a son of Gilead and a concubine and the judge who defeated the Ammonites; after the victory because of a vow taken before the battle he sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering
2) a city in Judah
Jephthah was a judge of Israel who delivered the Israelites from the Ammonites but made a tragic vow that resulted in the sacrifice of his daughter.
The biblical story
Jephthah was a judge of Israel during the period between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy. He was the son of Gilead and a prostitute, and his half-brothers drove him away from the family inheritance. Jephthah fled to the land of Tob, where he gathered a group of warriors around him. When the Ammonites attacked Israel, the elders of Gilead asked Jephthah to lead them in battle, promising him leadership if he succeeded. Jephthah made a vow to God, pledging to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house to meet him if he were victorious. Jephthah defeated the Ammonites, but tragically, his daughter was the first to greet him upon his return. Jephthah fulfilled his vow, and his daughter willingly submitted to her fate. Jephthah judged Israel for six years before his death. His story highlights the importance of making wise vows and the consequences of rash decisions. Despite his tragic vow, Jephthah is commended in the New Testament for his faith and is listed among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
Key verses
Jephthah appears in 26 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.
Judges 11:1 -
And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.
Judges 11:2 -
Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
Judges 11:3 -
And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
Judges 11:5 -
And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
Judges 11:6
Show all 26 references
Judges (24)
- Judges 11:1
- Judges 11:2
- Judges 11:3
- Judges 11:5
- Judges 11:6
- Judges 11:7
- Judges 11:8
- Judges 11:9
- Judges 11:10
- Judges 11:11
- Judges 11:12
- Judges 11:13
- Judges 11:14
- Judges 11:15
- Judges 11:28
- Judges 11:29
- Judges 11:30
- Judges 11:32
- Judges 11:34
- Judges 11:40
- Judges 12:1
- Judges 12:2
- Judges 12:4
- Judges 12:7
1 Samuel (1)
- 1 Samuel 12:11
Hebrews (1)
- Hebrews 11:32