Judges 11:29

ยถ Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over [unto] the children of Ammon.

Then the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} came upon Jephthah {H3316}, and he passed over {H5674} Gilead {H1568}, and Manasseh {H4519}, and passed over {H5674} Mizpeh {H4708} of Gilead {H1568}, and from Mizpeh {H4708} of Gilead {H1568} he passed over {H5674} unto the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}.

Then the spirit of ADONAI came upon Yiftach; and he passed through Gil'ad and M'nasheh, on through Mitzpeh of Gil'ad, and from there over to the people of 'Amon.

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.

Then the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.

Commentary

Judges 11:29 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jephthah, highlighting God's direct intervention and empowerment for the battle ahead against the Ammonites.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jephthah's failed attempts at a diplomatic resolution with the Ammonites, who refused to acknowledge Israel's historical claim to the disputed territory (see Judges 11:12-28). With diplomacy exhausted, the stage is set for military confrontation. Jephthah, though a leader with a controversial past (being the son of a harlot and initially rejected by his family), is now recognized by God as the chosen deliverer for Israel in this crisis.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment: The central theme is the declaration that "the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah." This signifies a special, temporary endowment of divine power, wisdom, and courage, enabling him to fulfill his God-given task as a judge and deliverer. It's a common motif in the Book of Judges, indicating God's active involvement in the lives of His chosen leaders to rescue Israel from oppression.
  • God's Choice of Leaders: Despite Jephthah's unconventional background and later, his tragic vow, God sovereignly chooses and empowers him. This emphasizes that God often uses imperfect individuals to accomplish His perfect will.
  • Preparation for Battle: Jephthah's subsequent movementsโ€”"he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over [unto] the children of Ammon"โ€”describe his strategic preparation, gathering forces, and advancing towards the enemy. This shows Jephthah's human effort in conjunction with divine enablement.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the Spirit of the LORD came upon" translates from the Hebrew ruach Yahweh (ืจื•ื— ื™ื”ื•ื”). This expression frequently appears in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Judges, to describe a unique spiritual anointing or empowerment that enabled individuals like Othniel (Judges 3:10), Gideon (Judges 6:34), and Samson (Judges 14:6) to perform extraordinary feats or lead Israel. It denotes a divine initiative for a specific mission, distinct from the indwelling Holy Spirit experienced by believers in the New Covenant.

Reflection and Application

Judges 11:29 reminds us that God equips those whom He calls. Even when human efforts or negotiations fail, God's Spirit can empower His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. For believers today, while the experience of the Holy Spirit is different (being an indwelling presence), the principle remains: God provides the necessary spiritual resources to fulfill His purposes in our lives. This verse encourages us to trust in divine enablement when facing our own "Ammonites" โ€“ whether personal struggles, spiritual battles, or challenging circumstances. It also serves as a crucial lead-in to Jephthah's controversial and tragic vow mentioned in the following verses, highlighting the complexities of even divinely-empowered individuals.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 11:25 (6 votes)

    And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

  • Judges 3:10 (5 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

  • Judges 13:25 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

  • 1 Chronicles 12:18 (4 votes)

    Then the spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

  • Judges 6:34 (4 votes)

    But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

  • 1 Samuel 10:10 (4 votes)

    And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

  • Judges 10:17 (4 votes)

    Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.