Judges 11:36

KJV

And she said unto him, My father, [if] thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, [even] of the children of Ammon.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she said {H559} unto him, My father {H1}, if thou hast opened {H6475} thy mouth {H6310} unto the LORD {H3068}, do {H6213} to me according to that which {H834} hath proceeded {H3318} out of thy mouth {H6310}; forasmuch {H310} as the LORD {H3068} hath taken {H6213} vengeance {H5360} for thee of thine enemies {H341}, even of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She said to him, "Father, you made a vow to ADONAI; so do whatever you said you would do to me; because ADONAI did take vengeance on your enemies the people of 'Amon."

Berean Standard Bible

“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me as you have said, for the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites.”

American Standard Version

And she said unto him, My father, thou hast opened thy mouth unto Jehovah; do unto me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth, forasmuch as Jehovah hath taken vengeance for thee on thine enemies, even on the children of Ammon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 11:36 presents the poignant and resolute response of Jephthah's only daughter to her father's solemn vow. After Jephthah's triumphant return from battle against the Ammonites, she, as the first to greet him from his household, becomes the subject of his rash promise to the Lord. Despite the devastating personal implication, she exhibits remarkable filial piety and spiritual insight, urging her father to fulfill his commitment because the Lord had granted him a decisive victory over their enemies. Her words powerfully underscore the profound gravity of vows in ancient Israel and highlight an extraordinary act of self-sacrifice rooted in an acknowledgment of divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the emotional and theological pivot within the narrative of Jephthah, one of Israel's more enigmatic judges, detailed in [Judges 10](/judges/10 "Judges 10 - Jephthah's Call") through [Judges 12](/judges/12 "Judges 12 - Jephthah's Reign and Death"). The immediate preceding verses set the tragic stage: Jephthah, having been chosen to lead Gilead against the Ammonites, makes a desperate vow to the Lord, promising that "whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites shall be the LORD's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering" ([Judges 11:31](/judges/11-31 "Judges 11:31 - Jephthah's Vow")). Following his overwhelming victory, where he "struck them from Aroer to Minnith—twenty cities—and as far as Abel-keramim" ([Judges 11:33](/judges/11-33 "Judges 11:33 - Jephthah's Victory")), he returns home only to be met by his only daughter, who comes out with tambourines and dances ([Judges 11:34](/judges/11-34 "Judges 11:34 - Jephthah Meets His Daughter")). Jephthah's immediate and profound distress, tearing his clothes and crying out "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low!" ([Judges 11:35](/judges/11-35 "Judges 11:35 - Jephthah's Distress")), creates the dramatic tension that culminates in his daughter's remarkable and heartbreaking acceptance in verse 36, sealing her fate and emphasizing the irrevocable nature of the vow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, vows made to Yahweh were considered exceptionally serious and binding, reflecting a culture where spoken words, especially those invoking the divine name, carried immense weight and legal force. The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations for vows, consistently emphasizing their fulfillment (e.g., [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Vows to the Lord"); [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Fulfilling Vows")). While human sacrifice was explicitly and repeatedly forbidden by the Law as an abomination (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice"); [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices")), Jephthah's vow, made during the chaotic period of the Judges where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), suggests a profound spiritual decline and a potential misunderstanding of God's character, possibly influenced by the surrounding pagan practices of child sacrifice. The daughter's response, rooted in deep filial obedience and a profound respect for her father's word and God's perceived will, highlights the cultural value placed on honor, family integrity, and the sanctity of an oath, even at a terrible personal cost.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 11:36 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Judges and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **binding nature of vows** made to God, even when rash or ill-conceived, emphasizing the seriousness with which God's people were expected to treat their commitments ([Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Do Not Be Rash with Vows")). Secondly, the daughter's response highlights themes of **filial piety and self-sacrifice**, presenting her as a figure of remarkable obedience and devotion to her father's word and the perceived divine will, even unto death. Her willingness to embrace her fate for the sake of her father's integrity and Israel's deliverance is a profound act of selfless submission. Thirdly, the verse touches upon **divine sovereignty and deliverance**, as the daughter explicitly acknowledges that "the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies," linking her tragic fate to God's active intervention on behalf of Israel. This suggests an understanding that God's purposes, even through human folly, can be realized, though not without severe consequences for those involved.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"My father" (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** (H1) This term, a primitive word for "father," is used here in its literal and immediate application. The daughter's address, "My father," immediately establishes a relationship of deep respect, familial connection, and inherent submission. It underscores the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society and highlights the profound filial piety that motivates her tragic acceptance of her fate.
* **"opened" (Hebrew, _pâtsâh'_):** (H6475) This primitive root means "to rend, i.e. open (especially the mouth)." When used in the context of "opening the mouth" for a vow, it signifies a formal, deliberate, and solemn declaration, not a casual utterance. It emphasizes the intentionality and gravity of Jephthah's oath, indicating that his words were uttered with full awareness of their binding nature before the Lord.
* **"vengeance" (Hebrew, _nᵉqâmâh'_):** (H5360) This feminine noun, derived from the root for "avenge," refers to "avengement, whether the act of the passion." In the context of God's actions on behalf of His people against their adversaries, _nᵉqâmâh_ often conveys the idea of divine vindication, deliverance, or the granting of victory. From the daughter's perspective, this word acknowledges God's decisive and successful intervention, securing a triumph for Jephthah and Israel over the Ammonites, thereby validating the divine side of the covenant that prompted the vow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said unto him, My father,"**: This opening establishes the speaker and her relationship to Jephthah, immediately setting a tone of deep respect, familial connection, and filial submission, despite the dire circumstances. Her address is one of reverence and obedience.
* **"[if] thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD,"**: The "if" here is not an expression of doubt, but rather a conditional clause that functions as "since" or "because" you have made this solemn vow to the Lord. It acknowledges the binding nature of Jephthah's commitment and the divine recipient of his oath, emphasizing the perceived irrevocability of a promise made to God.
* **"do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth;"**: This is the core of her tragic acceptance and profound obedience. She instructs her father to fulfill his vow, indicating her understanding that a promise made to God must be honored, regardless of the personal cost. This demonstrates extraordinary courage, obedience, and a profound sense of duty, prioritizing her father's integrity and the sanctity of his word to God above her own life.
* **"forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, [even] of the children of Ammon."**: This clause provides the theological justification for her acceptance. She recognizes that the victory over the Ammonites was a divine act of deliverance and vindication, a direct fulfillment of God's part of the implicit agreement. Her sacrifice, therefore, is framed within the context of God's faithfulness and Israel's salvation, making her fate tragically intertwined with the divine plan for her people, even through human folly.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Jephthah's daughter is imbued with profound **Tragedy**, depicting an inevitable and devastating outcome stemming from a flawed but sincere vow. There is striking **Irony** in Jephthah's desperate attempt to secure victory through a vow, which ultimately leads to the tragic loss of his only child, the very heir who would perpetuate his line and carry on his name. The **Dialogue** in this verse is pivotal, revealing the daughter's remarkable character, her profound filial piety, and her theological understanding. Her words are not a plea for mercy but a courageous affirmation of duty and divine sovereignty. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** in the rashness of Jephthah's vow in [Judges 11:31](/judges/11-31 "Judges 11:31 - Jephthah's Vow"), which inevitably points to a dire consequence, tragically fulfilled by her appearance. The narrative employs powerful **Pathos** to evoke deep sympathy for the innocent victim of a father's misguided zeal and the harsh realities of a period where divine guidance was often obscured by human fallibility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 11:36 stands as a stark reminder of the profound seriousness with which vows were regarded in ancient Israel, highlighting the absolute necessity of fulfilling one's word to the Lord. While Jephthah's vow itself was rash and tragically misdirected, his daughter's response underscores the cultural and spiritual expectation that a promise made to God, once uttered, was binding and irrevocable. Her willingness to embrace the devastating consequences for the sake of her father's integrity and the acknowledgment of God's victory over the Ammonites speaks to a deep, albeit tragically expressed, sense of duty and devotion. This narrative serves as a powerful cautionary tale against making hasty or ill-considered promises to God, while simultaneously showcasing an extraordinary, albeit sorrowful, example of obedience and sacrifice in the face of a binding oath.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Vows to the Lord")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21-23 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Fulfilling Vows")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Do Not Be Rash with Vows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Jephthah's daughter, particularly her response in Judges 11:36, challenges us to consider the gravity of our words and commitments, especially those made before God. While the specific context of a human sacrifice is abhorrent and contrary to God's revealed law, the underlying principle of integrity in vow-keeping remains eternally relevant. We are called to be people whose "yes is yes" and "no is no," understanding that God takes our words seriously. This narrative compels us to approach all promises, whether to God or to others, with sober deliberation, prayerful consideration, and a deep sense of responsibility. Furthermore, the daughter's extraordinary willingness to embrace a devastating personal cost for what she perceived as a greater good—her father's honor and God's glory—prompts us to reflect on the depth of our own devotion and the extent of our willingness to sacrifice for principles we hold dear, or for the sake of others. It is a somber yet powerful reminder of the potential costs of human folly and the profound impact of individual choices within the larger tapestry of God's unfolding purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of the seriousness of promises and commitments, both to God and to others?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be making rash "vows" or commitments without proper consideration of the consequences?**
* **What does Jephthah's daughter's self-sacrifice, however tragic, reveal about the nature of true devotion and obedience?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of integrity and deliberation in my words and actions, reflecting God's own faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Was Jephthah's vow acceptable to God, and did God require the sacrifice of his daughter?**

Answer: No, Jephthah's vow, particularly if it implied human sacrifice, was not acceptable to God, nor did God require the sacrifice of his daughter. The Mosaic Law explicitly and repeatedly condemned human sacrifice as an abomination (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice"), [Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Abominable Practices of Nations"), [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). The narrative in Judges is descriptive, not prescriptive; it records the tragic events of a period where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), leading to actions that were often contrary to God's revealed will. Jephthah's vow was rash and likely influenced by pagan practices of the surrounding nations, demonstrating a lack of full understanding of Yahweh's character and commands. God granted Jephthah victory despite the vow, not because of it, and the tragic outcome highlights the severe consequences of human folly and misguided zeal, not divine requirement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Jephthah's daughter, while showcasing a profound act of filial piety and self-sacrifice, ultimately points to the perfect and willing sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Unlike Jephthah's rash vow, which led to an innocent and unwilling victim (from a human perspective, though the daughter accepted her fate), God's ultimate sacrifice of His Son was a deliberate, pre-ordained act of divine love and justice. Jephthah's daughter, in her obedience to her father's word, foreshadows Christ's perfect obedience to His Heavenly Father, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Where Jephthah's vow was born of human desperation and led to sorrow, Christ's sacrifice was the fulfillment of God's eternal plan to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Her willingness to be "offered" for the sake of her father's integrity and a divine victory, however misguided, dimly reflects the Lamb of God who willingly laid down His life, not for a temporal military victory, but for eternal redemption, becoming the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice that truly "takes vengeance" on sin and death ([Hebrews 10:5-10](/hebrews/10-5-10 "Hebrews 10:5-10 - Christ's Sacrifice Fulfills the Law")). Her submission, "do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth," finds its perfect echo in Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, "not my will, but yours be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), highlighting His perfect alignment with the Father's redemptive purpose.

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 16:4

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

2 Samuel 18:19

¶ Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.

Philippians 2:30

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

2 Samuel 18:31

And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.

2 Samuel 19:30

And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.

Judges 16:28

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.