Judges 11:28

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But the king of the people of 'Amon paid no attention to the message Yiftach sent him.

Berean Standard Bible:

But the king of the Ammonites paid no heed to the message Jephthah sent him.

American Standard Version:

Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Howbeit the king^{H4428} of the children^{H1121} of Ammon^{H5983} hearkened^{H8085} not unto the words^{H1697} of Jephthah^{H3316} which he sent^{H7971} him.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Judges 11:28

Judges 11:28 is a part of the narrative concerning Jephthah, a judge and military leader in Israel. The verse is set during a time of conflict between the Israelites and the Ammonites, who were threatening to invade Israelite territory. In an effort to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, Jephthah sends messengers to the Ammonite king with a diplomatic plea, asking why they have come to make war against Israel. He recounts the history of Israel's journey from Egypt through to their settlement in the land of Canaan, emphasizing that their occupation of the land was not at the expense of the Ammonites, and therefore, there should be no cause for war.

The specific text of Judges 11:28 highlights the Ammonite king's response to Jephthah's overture: "But the king of the Ammonites did not listen to the message that Jephthah sent him." This refusal to engage in dialogue reflects the escalating tensions between the two peoples and sets the stage for the ensuing military confrontation. The verse underscores themes of communication, or lack thereof, and the breakdown of peaceful resolution, which are common in the historical narratives of the Bible. It also illustrates the complex interplay of political and territorial disputes in the ancient Near East, where negotiation and warfare were frequent tools of statecraft.

In the broader context of the Book of Judges, this episode is one of many cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterize the period. The judges, including Jephthah, were charismatic leaders raised up by God to deliver Israel from various oppressors. The story of Jephthah is particularly tragic, as his subsequent vow and its fulfillment lead to a personal and national calamity, demonstrating the moral and spiritual challenges faced by the Israelites during this tumultuous time in their history.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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).