Judges 11:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 11:14 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jephthah, highlighting his deliberate and persistent diplomatic efforts before engaging in military conflict with the Ammonites. Following the Ammonite king's false claim to Israelite land, this verse records Jephthah's decision to send messengers a second time, signaling his commitment to a peaceful resolution and setting the stage for his comprehensive historical and legal rebuttal, which underscores his role not merely as a warrior but also as a discerning leader seeking justice through reason.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 11:14 is situated within the broader narrative of Jephthah's rise to leadership and his confrontation with the Ammonites. The preceding verses establish the dire situation in Gilead, where the Ammonites are oppressing Israel, leading the elders to seek out Jephthah, a rejected but mighty warrior, to be their commander ([Judges 10:17-18](/judges/10-17 "Judges 10:17-18 - The Ammonite Oppression and Gilead's Call for a Leader")). Jephthah's initial act, before any military engagement, is to send messengers to the Ammonite king to inquire about the reason for their aggression ([Judges 11:12](/judges/11-12 "Judges 11:12 - Jephthah's First Diplomatic Overture")). The Ammonite king's response, claiming Israel had stolen their land during the Exodus ([Judges 11:13](/judges/11-13 "Judges 11:13 - The Ammonite King's False Claim")), necessitates a further response. Verse 14, therefore, marks the continuation of this diplomatic exchange, preceding Jephthah's detailed historical argument that begins in [Judges 11:15](/judges/11-15 "Judges 11:15 - Jephthah's Historical Rebuttal Begins"), demonstrating his methodical approach to leadership.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, diplomatic exchanges often preceded warfare, even when conflict seemed inevitable. Land claims were a frequent cause of dispute, and assertions of historical right were common. The Ammonites, descendants of Lot ([Genesis 19:38](/genesis/19-38 "Genesis 19:38 - Origin of the Ammonites")), were a Transjordanian people who frequently clashed with Israel. Their claim in [Judges 11:13](/judges/11-13 "Judges 11:13 - Ammonite Claim of Stolen Land") regarding Israel's seizure of land during the Exodus was historically inaccurate, as Israel had only taken land from the Amorites, who had previously conquered it from Ammon ([Numbers 21:21-32](/numbers/21-21 "Numbers 21:21-32 - Israel's Conquest of Amorite Land")). Jephthah's repeated sending of messengers and his subsequent detailed historical argument reflect the importance of legal and historical precedent in validating territorial claims and the cultural expectation of attempting peaceful resolution before resorting to the sword.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **diplomacy and justice** before conflict, showcasing Jephthah's patient and reasoned approach, contrasting with the often impulsive actions seen elsewhere in Judges. Secondly, it underscores the importance of **knowing and defending one's heritage and rights**, particularly the divinely given land of Israel, against false accusations. Jephthah's subsequent detailed historical account ([Judges 11:15-27](/judges/11-15 "Judges 11:15-27 - Jephthah's Comprehensive Historical Argument")) is a testament to this. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty and human responsibility**, as Jephthah, though chosen by men, acts with wisdom that reflects a reliance on God's ultimate justice, even before the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him ([Judges 11:29](/judges/11-29 "Judges 11:29 - The Spirit of the Lord Comes Upon Jephthah")). His persistence in seeking peace aligns with biblical principles found in other wisdom literature, such as [Proverbs 15:1](/proverbs/15-1 "Proverbs 15:1 - A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** The verb שָׁלַח ( _shalach_ ) means "to send, stretch out, or dispatch." Its use here emphasizes the active, intentional dispatching of envoys. It's not a passive act but a deliberate choice by Jephthah to initiate communication. This verb is frequently used in the Old Testament for sending messengers, often with significant implications, such as God sending prophets or kings sending diplomatic missions. Here, it underscores Jephthah's authority and his proactive engagement.
* **again (Hebrew, _'od'_):** The adverb עוֹד ( _'od_ ) signifies repetition, continuation, or addition. Its presence is crucial, indicating that this was not the first time Jephthah sent messengers, but a second, renewed effort. This word highlights Jephthah's persistence and patience in the face of the Ammonite king's initial, unsatisfactory response. It conveys a sense of sustained diplomatic endeavor rather than an immediate resort to force, demonstrating a measured and strategic approach to a volatile situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jephthah sent messengers again":** This clause reveals Jephthah's continued commitment to diplomacy. The word "again" (עוֹד, _'od_) is key, emphasizing that this is a renewed effort following the initial exchange in [Judges 11:12-13](/judges/11-12 "Judges 11:12-13 - Jephthah's Initial Diplomacy"). It portrays Jephthah as a leader who prioritizes peaceful resolution and is willing to invest further time and effort in dialogue, even when the first attempt was met with a false accusation. This action sets him apart from some other judges who acted more impulsively.
* **"unto the king of the children of Ammon":** This specifies the recipient of Jephthah's continued diplomatic overture. It highlights that the conflict is not merely with the Ammonite people but with their leadership, making the diplomatic channel the appropriate means of engagement. Addressing the king directly signifies a formal, state-level interaction, underscoring the gravity of the situation and Jephthah's role as a legitimate representative of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** and **Foreshadowing**. The explicit mention of sending messengers "again" is a form of **Repetition** within the narrative, emphasizing Jephthah's persistent diplomatic strategy. This reiteration highlights his character as a leader who exhausts all peaceful avenues before resorting to warfare, underscoring his prudence. Furthermore, this verse acts as **Foreshadowing** for the detailed and lengthy historical argument that Jephthah is about to present (beginning in [Judges 11:15](/judges/11-15 "Judges 11:15 - Jephthah's Historical Defense")). The "again" signals that this second communication will be more substantive and decisive, preparing the reader for the comprehensive legal and historical defense that follows, which is central to Jephthah's attempt to justify Israel's land claim.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jephthah's persistent diplomacy in Judges 11:14 offers a theological lesson on the importance of seeking peace and justice through reasoned discourse, even in the face of aggression. While the book of Judges often portrays cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance through military might, Jephthah's initial actions demonstrate a commitment to biblical principles of seeking reconciliation and truth before resorting to violence. This reflects a divine preference for peace where possible, aligning human responsibility with God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and land. It underscores that even in times of war, ethical and diplomatic considerations are paramount, and that a just cause is best defended with truth and clear communication.

* [Proverbs 20:18](/proverbs/20-18 "Proverbs 20:18 - Plans are established by counsel")
* [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Live Peaceably with All")
* [Matthew 5:9](/matthew/5-9 "Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the Peacemakers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jephthah's actions in Judges 11:14 provide a powerful model for believers today. In a world often quick to escalate conflict, Jephthah's patience and persistence in diplomacy serve as a reminder that seeking peaceful resolution and understanding should always be our first recourse. Whether in personal relationships, church conflicts, or broader societal disagreements, the principle of exhausting all avenues of dialogue and reasoned argument before resorting to contention or confrontation is profoundly biblical. This requires humility to listen, courage to speak truth, and perseverance when initial efforts are met with resistance. It challenges us to be well-informed and articulate in defending what is right, not with aggression, but with clarity and a commitment to justice, trusting that God honors such efforts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I quick to react rather than seeking patient, persistent dialogue?**
* **How can I better prepare myself to articulate truth and reason when facing misunderstandings or conflicts?**
* **What does Jephthah's example teach me about the importance of diplomacy even when conflict seems inevitable?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jephthah send messengers "again" if the first attempt failed?**

Answer: Jephthah sent messengers "again" because the Ammonite king's initial response ([Judges 11:13](/judges/11-13 "Judges 11:13 - Ammonite King's False Claim")) was not a rejection of diplomacy outright, but rather a false historical claim that required a detailed rebuttal. Jephthah, as a wise and discerning leader, understood that the Ammonite king's claim was based on a misunderstanding or deliberate distortion of history. Therefore, instead of immediately resorting to war, he chose to present a comprehensive, historically accurate defense of Israel's right to the land. This second sending of messengers was not a sign of weakness but of strategic patience and a commitment to justice through truth, demonstrating his desire to avoid bloodshed if a peaceful, reasoned solution could be found. It allowed him to lay out Israel's case clearly before God and man.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jephthah's role as a mediator and a defender of God's people's inheritance, who seeks peace through truth before resorting to battle, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. Just as Jephthah sent messengers "again" to clarify and defend Israel's rightful claim to the land, Jesus, the supreme Messenger and Mediator ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")), came to clarify and defend God's rightful claim over humanity and His kingdom. Christ's entire ministry can be seen as a persistent diplomatic mission, where He continually sent His disciples ([Matthew 10:5-7](/matthew/10-5 "Matthew 10:5-7 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")) and ultimately the Holy Spirit ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Advocate")) to declare the truth of God's reign and to call humanity to reconciliation. Unlike Jephthah, whose efforts ultimately led to war, Christ's diplomatic mission culminated in His atoning sacrifice, which secured an eternal peace and reconciliation between God and humanity ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). He is the ultimate defender of our spiritual inheritance ([Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ")), who, through His truth, disarms the false claims of the enemy and establishes a kingdom of righteousness and peace that will never end ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Psalms 120:7

I [am for] peace: but when I speak, they [are] for war.

1 Peter 3:11

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Hebrews 12:14

Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: