Bible Strands
Judges 11:1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor; he was the son of a prostitute, and Gilead was his father.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator introduces Jephthah immediately before the elders of Gilead seek him out to command their forces against the Ammonites.
The words — גִבּוֹר חַיִל (gibbor chayil) translates literally to a mighty man of strength, while בֶּן־אִשָּׁה (ben-ishah) denotes a son of a woman, which the context clarifies as a prostitute.
The thread — The narrative parallels Gideon’s introduction in Judges 6:12 and notes Jephthah’s recognized status in Hebrews 11:32, while echoing the social elevation of figures like Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1.
Why it lands — The text establishes a direct contrast between Jephthah’s proven martial capability and his illegitimate birth, requiring the reader to note that his origin does not negate his capacity before the narrative tests his legitimacy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,
- Judges 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
- 2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.