Judges 11:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yiftach sent messengers again to the king of the people of 'Amon

Berean Standard Bible:

Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites

American Standard Version:

And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Jephthah^{H3316} sent^{H7971} messengers^{H4397} again^{H3254} unto the king^{H4428} of the children^{H1121} of Ammon^{H5983}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Judges 11:14

Judges 11:14 is a part of the narrative concerning Jephthah, one of the judges of Israel, who plays a significant role in the period when the Israelites were ruled by a series of leaders rather than a centralized monarchy. The verse is set within the context of a conflict between the Israelites and the Ammonites, who are threatening Israel's territory.

In the verses leading up to Judges 11:14, Jephthah, who has been living in exile due to his questionable lineage (being the son of a prostitute), is called upon by the elders of Gilead to lead them against the Ammonites. Before taking military action, Jephthah attempts to resolve the conflict diplomatically. He first sends messengers to the king of Ammon to inquire why the Ammonites have come against Israel. The king of Ammon responds by accusing the Israelites of taking his land when they came out of Egypt.

Judges 11:14 specifically describes Jephthah's second diplomatic effort, as he sends messengers again to the king of Ammon. This action demonstrates Jephthah's initial desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, showing his role as both a military and diplomatic leader. It also highlights the themes of negotiation and communication in the midst of impending warfare, which are common in ancient and modern times alike.

The historical context of this verse reflects the tumultuous and often violent times of the judges, where the Israelites were frequently engaged in warfare with neighboring nations and among themselves. This period was characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Jephthah's story, including his vow and its tragic consequences, serves as a complex example of the judges' leadership, the religious and moral challenges of the time, and the broader narrative of Israel's history before the establishment of the monarchy.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3316
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִפְתָּח
   Transliteration: Yiphtâch
   Pronunciation: yif-tawkh'
   Description: from פָּתַח; he will open; Jiphtach, an Israelite; also a place in Palestine; Jephthah, Jiphtah.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
3. Strong's Number: H4397
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
   Transliteration: mălʼâk
   Pronunciation: mal-awk'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3254
   There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָסַף
   Transliteration: yâçaph
   Pronunciation: yaw-saf'
   Description: a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing); add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5983
   There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַמּוֹן
   Transliteration: ʻAmmôwn
   Pronunciation: am-mone'
   Description: from עַם; tribal, i.e. inbred; Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country; Ammon, Ammonites.