Judges 11:36

“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me as you have said, for the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jephthah’s daughter addresses her father immediately after his military victory and his distress over his vow. She speaks to him upon his return, acknowledging his oath to Yahweh.

The words — פָּצִיתָה (pa.Tzi.tah) translates literally as “you have opened,” describing the act of making a vow. אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה (el-Yahweh) means “to Yahweh,” specifying the recipient of that vow.

The thread — The theme of God avenging His people appears in 2 Samuel 18:19, where a messenger reports divine retaliation to the king. The willingness to face death for a cause echoes in Acts 21:13 and Romans 16:4, where individuals accept binding or death without backing down.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition of the consequences of spoken vows and the reality of divine justice. It requires the reader to confront the weight of commitment without romanticizing sacrifice.

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

And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.

Cross-references

Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
2 Samuel 18:19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.”
Romans 16:4 who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Philippians 2:30 because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
Judges 16:28 Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”
2 Samuel 18:31 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!”
2 Samuel 19:30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”
Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.