King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in [one of] the cities of Gilead.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Yiftach judged Isra'el for six years. Then Yiftach from Gil'ad died, and he was buried in one of the cities of Gil'ad.
Berean Standard Bible:
Jephthah judged Israel six years, and when he died, he was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.
American Standard Version:
And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried inone ofthe cities of Gilead.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Jephthah{H3316} judged{H8199} Israel{H3478} six{H8337} years{H8141}. Then died{H4191} Jephthah{H3316} the Gileadite{H1569}, and was buried{H6912} in one of the cities{H5892} of Gilead{H1568}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Judges 12:7
Judges 12:7 is a brief verse that encapsulates the end of the leadership of Jephthah, a figure in the Old Testament who played a significant role in the history of Israel. The verse states, "And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in [one of] the cities of Gilead."
To understand the context, it's important to recognize that the Book of Judges covers a tumultuous period in Israel's history, following the conquest of Canaan and preceding the establishment of the monarchy. During this time, the Israelites were led by a series of judges, charismatic leaders who would rise to deliver Israel from various oppressors. Jephthah was one such judge.
Jephthah's story begins in Judges 11, where he is introduced as a mighty warrior and the son of Gilead. Despite his questionable background—being the son of a prostitute and initially rejected by his family—he was sought out by the elders of Gilead to lead them against the Ammonites, who were oppressing the Israelites. Before the battle, Jephthah made a vow to God that if he was granted victory, he would sacrifice whatever came out of his house to greet him upon his return. Tragically, his daughter was the first to come out, and Jephthah, in his understanding of his vow, sacrificed her, an act that has been the subject of much theological debate and sorrow.
Judges 12:7 concludes Jephthah's tenure as a judge, indicating that he led Israel for six years. His death and burial in one of the cities of Gilead highlight his association with this region, which was east of the Jordan River. This verse also marks a transition in leadership, as the Book of Judges continues to recount the cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterized the period.
The themes present in this verse and the surrounding narrative include the cyclical nature of Israel's faithfulness and the consequences of rash vows. It also touches on the complexity of leadership in ancient Israel, where personal flaws and tragic decisions could coexist with the fulfillment of a divinely appointed role. Jephthah's story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of wisdom and discernment in making promises to God, as well as the broader theme of God's people needing to remain faithful to the covenant despite human fallibility.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H8199
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁפַט
Transliteration: shâphaṭ
Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H8337
There are 203 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
Transliteration: shêsh
Pronunciation: shaysh
Description: masculine שִׁשָּׁה; a primitive number; compare שׂוּשׂ; six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth; six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H1569
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּלְעָדִי
Transliteration: Gilʻâdîy
Pronunciation: ghil-aw-dee'
Description: patronymically from גִּלְעָד; a Giladite or descendant of Gilad; Gileadite. - Strong's Number: H6912
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָבַר
Transliteration: qâbar
Pronunciation: kaw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; to inter; [idiom] in any wise, bury(-ier). - Strong's Number: H5892
There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עִיר
Transliteration: ʻîyr
Pronunciation: eer
Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. - Strong's Number: H1568
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּלְעָד
Transliteration: Gilʻâd
Pronunciation: ghil-awd'
Description: probably from גַּלְעֵד; Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites; Gilead, Gileadite.