Judges 11:38

KJV

And he said, Go. And he sent her away [for] two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Go {H3212}. And he sent her away {H7971} for two {H8147} months {H2320}: and she went {H3212} with her companions {H7464}, and bewailed {H1058} her virginity {H1331} upon the mountains {H2022}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You may go," he answered, and he sent her away for two months. She left, she and her friends, and mourned in the mountains that she would die unmarried.

Berean Standard Bible

“Go,” he said. And he sent her away for two months. So she left with her friends and mourned her virginity upon the mountains.

American Standard Version

And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she departed, she and her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 11:38 captures a deeply poignant moment in the tragic narrative of Jephthah's daughter. Following her father's rash and ill-conceived vow, this verse details the two-month reprieve granted to her before the vow's fulfillment. During this period, she withdraws to the isolated mountains with her female companions, not merely to mourn her impending death, but specifically to lament the profound and permanent loss of her virginity, which signified the end of her potential for marriage, motherhood, and the continuation of her family line in ancient Israelite society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a critical interlude in the unfolding tragedy initiated by Jephthah's vow in [Judges 11:30](/judges/11-30 "Judges 11:30 - Jephthah's Vow"). Having promised to sacrifice whatever emerged first from his house upon his victorious return, Jephthah is met by his only daughter ([Judges 11:34](/judges/11-34 "Judges 11:34 - Jephthah Meets His Daughter")). Overwhelmed by grief but feeling bound by his oath, he informs her of his devastating promise. Her response, marked by an astonishing blend of courage and resignation, is not to resist, but to request a two-month period to prepare for her fate, specifically to "bewail her virginity" with her companions. This verse immediately precedes the fulfillment of the vow in [Judges 11:39](/judges/11-39 "Judges 11:39 - The Fulfillment of the Vow"), highlighting the daughter's profound personal sacrifice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, a woman's honor, identity, and primary contribution to her family and community were intrinsically linked to marriage and the bearing of children. Virginity was highly prized as a prerequisite for marriage, and the ability to bear offspring, particularly sons, was essential for the continuation of the family lineage and the inheritance of property. To die a virgin meant the cessation of her father's direct line, a profound tragedy in a culture that valued fruitfulness and multiplication as central to the covenant promises made to Abraham ([Genesis 24:60](/genesis/24-60 "Genesis 24:60 - Blessing of Numerous Offspring")). Therefore, her lament for her virginity was not merely a personal sorrow but a deep mourning for the loss of her societal role, her potential legacy, and the very continuity of her family.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding Jephthah's vow and its tragic outcome underscores several significant themes. Firstly, it serves as a stark warning about the [perilous consequences of rash vows](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4 - Do Not Delay to Pay a Vow"), illustrating how impulsivity, even in devotion, can lead to immense suffering and misinterpretation of divine will. Secondly, the story powerfully highlights the [immense cultural value placed on virginity and lineage](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar") in ancient Israel, where the continuation of a family line was paramount. The daughter's specific lament emphasizes that her sacrifice encompassed not just her life, but her entire future as a woman within her society. Finally, her remarkable submission and resignation in the face of such a devastating fate, while deeply tragic, also speaks to a profound sense of duty and perhaps a misguided understanding of the absolute nature of vows to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bewailed (Hebrew, _yalal'_):** The Hebrew verb יָלַל (_yalal_) denotes a loud, mournful cry, often associated with wailing, lamentation, or a funeral dirge. It conveys a deep, public expression of grief, typically for the dead or in response to a great catastrophe. In this context, it emphasizes the profound and audible sorrow of Jephthah's daughter and her companions, signaling not just internal sadness but an outward, culturally recognized act of mourning for a devastating loss.
* **Virginity (Hebrew, _b'tulim'_):** The Hebrew term בְּתוּלִים (_b'tulim_) refers explicitly to the state of being a virgin, an unmarried woman. In this verse, it carries immense weight, signifying not merely a physical state but the entire future that was denied her: marriage, the bearing of children, and the continuation of her family line. Her lament is not just for her life, but for the permanent forfeiture of her potential to fulfill the most significant societal role for a woman in ancient Israel, making her sacrifice uniquely poignant and culturally devastating.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Go.":** This brief command from Jephthah grants his daughter the requested reprieve. It signifies his reluctant agreement to her plea, acknowledging her need for a period of mourning before the inevitable fulfillment of his vow. His brevity here might suggest his own profound grief and inability to articulate more.
* **"And he sent her away [for] two months:":** This clause specifies the duration of the reprieve. The two-month period allowed for a significant time of preparation, both emotionally and spiritually, for her impending fate. It also highlights the daughter's agency in requesting this time, demonstrating her composure and a degree of control in an otherwise uncontrollable and tragic situation.
* **"and she went with her companions,":** Her companions, likely other young women or close friends, join her in this period of mourning. Their presence underscores the communal aspect of grief in ancient society and provides emotional support. It also highlights the collective sorrow felt for her tragic fate, as her loss was a loss for her social circle as well.
* **"and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.":** This is the core of the verse, detailing the specific nature and location of her lament. The "mountains" suggest a place of isolation, separation from society, and perhaps a spiritual significance, a place of withdrawal for deep sorrow. Her specific focus on "bewailing her virginity" powerfully conveys that her grief extended beyond the loss of life to the profound and irreversible loss of her potential for marriage, motherhood, and the continuation of her family lineage, which was culturally devastating.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 11:38 is rich with **pathos**, evoking deep pity and sorrow from the reader. The image of a young woman, condemned by her father's rash vow, retreating to the mountains with her companions to mourn her lost future, is profoundly moving. There is also a strong element of **irony** present; Jephthah's vow, intended to secure victory and honor from God, ultimately leads to the tragic sacrifice of his only child, highlighting the unintended and devastating consequences of human impulsivity. The "mountains" serve as a **symbolic setting**, representing isolation, a place of lament removed from the ordinary world, and perhaps even a place of spiritual reckoning or despair. The specific focus on "bewailing her virginity" is a form of **synecdoche**, where a part (her virginity, representing her potential for marriage and motherhood) stands in for the whole of her lost future and identity, amplifying the tragedy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The story of Jephthah's daughter, particularly her lament in Judges 11:38, powerfully underscores the sanctity of human life and the profound value of covenantal fruitfulness within the biblical narrative. While Jephthah's vow was made in earnest, it fundamentally misunderstood the character of God, who explicitly forbade human sacrifice ([Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Abhorrence of Human Sacrifice")). This tragic episode stands in stark contrast to God's provision of a substitute for Isaac ([Genesis 22:13](/genesis/22-13 "Genesis 22:13 - God Provides a Ram for Isaac")), highlighting that God desires obedience and faithfulness, not human sacrifice. The daughter's mourning for her virginity also connects to the broader biblical theme of lineage and the importance of offspring in fulfilling God's promises, making her death not just a personal tragedy but a spiritual and communal one, as it cut off Jephthah's line.

* [Leviticus 27:28-29](/leviticus/27-28 "Leviticus 27:28-29 - Devoted Things and Human Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Keeping Vows to the Lord")
* [Psalm 15:4](/psalms/15-4 "Psalm 15:4 - The Righteous Person Keeps Their Oath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 11:38 invites us to reflect deeply on the weight of our words and the nature of our commitments, especially those made to God. Jephthah's tragic story serves as a sober warning against making hasty or ill-considered vows, reminding us that true devotion is expressed not through impulsive promises but through a life of consistent obedience and understanding of God's character. Furthermore, the daughter's lament for her lost future cultivates empathy within us for those who experience profound loss—whether of dreams, opportunities, or life itself. It calls us to grieve with those who grieve, recognizing that sorrow can be multifaceted, encompassing not only what is taken but also what is forever denied. Her quiet, yet profound, act of mourning reminds us that even in the face of insurmountable tragedy, there is a human need to process grief and acknowledge the full scope of what has been lost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jephthah's vow challenge our understanding of God's character and His desires for His people?**
* **What does the daughter's specific lament for her virginity teach us about the cultural values and societal expectations of ancient Israel, and how might this inform our understanding of personal identity and purpose today?**
* **In what ways might we, like Jephthah, make "rash vows" or commitments in our lives that are not aligned with God's will or character?**
* **How can we cultivate greater empathy for those who mourn the loss of future possibilities, dreams, or life itself, as exemplified by Jephthah's daughter?**

### FAQ

**Did God require Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter?**

Answer: No, the Bible is clear that God absolutely did not require or desire human sacrifice. In fact, He explicitly condemned such practices as an abomination, particularly those of the surrounding pagan nations ([Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Abhorrence of Human Sacrifice")). The narrative of Jephthah's vow and its tragic fulfillment is presented as a consequence of Jephthah's own misguided and rash promise, made out of a desperate desire for victory, rather than a divine command. God had already provided a clear precedent for substitutionary sacrifice in the story of Abraham and Isaac ([Genesis 22:13-14](/genesis/22-13 "Genesis 22:13-14 - God Provides a Ram for Isaac")), demonstrating His nature as a God who provides, not demands, human life in sacrifice. The story serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of impulsive vows and a misunderstanding of God's holy and loving character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Jephthah's daughter, particularly her profound lament over her lost virginity and future, finds a striking and redemptive fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jephthah's daughter was an innocent victim of a misguided human vow, submitting to a sacrifice that God never desired, Jesus willingly offered Himself as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice, not for a human oath, but for the sins of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Her purity and unfulfilled potential tragically ended in death, yet Christ, the [spotless Lamb](/1-peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood"), offered His perfect life, not for a temporary victory, but for eternal redemption. Unlike Jephthah's daughter, whose sacrifice was a human error, Christ's sacrifice was the [divinely ordained plan](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ Sacrificed Once for All") to reconcile humanity to God. Her sorrow over a lost lineage is contrasted with Christ, who through His death and resurrection, establishes an [eternal spiritual lineage](/romans/4-16 "Romans 4:16 - Abraham, Father of All Believers") of believers, fulfilling God's promises of fruitfulness in a spiritual sense. Her submission, though tragic, foreshadows the ultimate, willing submission of Christ to His Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). In Christ, the brokenness and tragedy of human sin and misguided devotion, so evident in Judges, are overcome by perfect love and redemptive grace.

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.