Bible Strands
Judges 11:29
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jephthah acts as a military leader after the king of the Ammonites ignores his diplomatic message. The narrative shifts from negotiation to troop mobilization across Israelite territories.
The words — ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֔ה (Ru.ach Yah.weh) translates literally as "spirit of Yahweh," denoting divine empowerment. וַ/יַּעֲבֹ֥ר (va/i.ya.'a.Vor) means "and he passed through," describing Jephthah's tactical movement through Gilead and Manasseh.
The thread — This empowerment motif recurs when the Spirit comes upon judges for warfare, as in Judges 3:10 and Judges 13:25. It parallels Numbers 11:25, where God transfers spiritual authority to enable leadership.
Why it lands — The text records divine action preceding military movement, establishing that success depends on God's initiative rather than human strategy. Readers must evaluate whether they attribute outcomes to external empowerment or self-reliance.
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
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.
Cross-references
- Numbers 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.
- Judges 3:10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.
- Judges 13:25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
- Judges 6:34 So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who blew the ram’s horn and rallied the Abiezrites behind him.
- Judges 10:17 Then the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, and the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah.
- 1 Samuel 10:10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
- 1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.