Judges 11:39

KJV

And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her [according] to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass at the end {H7093} of two {H8147} months {H2320}, that she returned {H7725} unto her father {H1}, who did {H6213} with her according to his vow {H5088} which he had vowed {H5087}: and she knew {H3045} no man {H376}. And it was a custom {H2706} in Israel {H3478},

Complete Jewish Bible

After two months she returned to her father, and he did with her what he had vowed; she had remained a virgin. So it became a law in Isra'el

Berean Standard Bible

After two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she had never had relations with a man. So it has become a custom in Israel

American Standard Version

And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew not man. And it was a custom in Israel,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 11:39 recounts the somber fulfillment of Jephthah's tragic vow concerning his only daughter. After a two-month period of lamentation, she returned to her father, who then carried out his solemn promise. The critical detail that "she knew no man" strongly indicates that the nature of Jephthah's vow resulted in her perpetual virginity and lifelong dedication to the Lord, rather than a literal human sacrifice, which was an abomination to God and explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law. This verse concludes the personal tragedy, setting the stage for the commemorative custom mentioned in the subsequent text.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 11:39 concludes the deeply poignant narrative of Jephthah's vow and its devastating consequences, which spans [Judges 11](/judges/11 "Judges 11 - Jephthah's Vow and Victory"). Prior to a battle against the Ammonites, Jephthah, driven by a desperate desire for victory, made a rash and ill-conceived vow to the Lord, promising to sacrifice whatever came out of his house first upon his victorious return ([Judges 11:30-31](/judges/11-30 "Judges 11:30-31 - Jephthah's Rash Vow")). Tragically, it was his only daughter who emerged to greet him ([Judges 11:34](/judges/11-34 "Judges 11:34 - Jephthah's Daughter Greets Him")). After a period of two months, during which she and her companions mourned her impending fate, particularly her inability to marry and bear children ([Judges 11:37-38](/judges/11-37 "Judges 11:37-38 - Daughter's Request and Lament")), she returned to her father, accepting her destiny. This verse, therefore, marks the irreversible execution of the vow, immediately preceding the explanation of the annual custom that arose from this event in [Judges 11:40](/judges/11-40 "Judges 11:40 - The Annual Custom"). The entire episode serves as a stark illustration of the moral and spiritual decline characteristic of the period of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Vows in ancient Israel were considered extremely serious and binding commitments, often made in times of distress or in exchange for divine favor. Breaking a vow was a grave offense ([Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - The Law Concerning Vows")). However, the Mosaic Law explicitly and repeatedly condemned human sacrifice as an abhorrent practice, associated with the detestable customs of the Canaanites and other pagan nations ([Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice"); [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Offering Children to Molech")). The idea that God would require or accept such a sacrifice is antithetical to His character and commands. The cultural significance of bearing children, especially for women, was immense, as it ensured the continuation of the family line and inheritance. For an only daughter, the inability to marry and have offspring was a profound personal and familial tragedy, equivalent to the termination of the family's future through her. This context strengthens the interpretation that her "sacrifice" was her perpetual virginity and dedication to the Lord, a form of spiritual consecration, rather than a literal immolation.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Jephthah's daughter contributes to several key themes within the book of Judges and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **the gravity and consequences of rash vows**, emphasizing the need for wisdom and discernment before making commitments to God ([Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - On Keeping Vows")). Secondly, it underscores **God's unwavering abhorrence of human sacrifice**, reinforcing His moral character and the sanctity of human life, in direct contrast to pagan practices. Thirdly, the story tragically illustrates **the moral and spiritual decline of Israel** during the period of the Judges, where a lack of proper theological understanding and reliance on personal judgment led to devastating outcomes. Finally, it portrays **the profound personal cost of misguided zeal**, showing how even a desire to honor God, when untempered by wisdom and knowledge of His will, can lead to immense suffering and loss.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vow (Hebrew, _neder_):** This term refers to a solemn promise or pledge made to God, often conditional upon divine favor or as an expression of devotion. In ancient Israel, vows were considered binding and had to be fulfilled, as seen in [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Keeping One's Word"). Jephthah's vow was made under duress and without full consideration of its potential consequences, highlighting the danger of impulsive promises.
* **Knew (Hebrew, _yad'ah_):** The verb _yad'ah_ (to know) is frequently used in the Old Testament as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, particularly in the context of marriage and procreation (e.g., [Genesis 4:1](/genesis/4-1 "Genesis 4:1 - Cain's Birth")). Its inclusion in Judges 11:39, "she knew no man," is pivotal. It strongly suggests that the fulfillment of Jephthah's vow involved her perpetual virginity and lifelong dedication to God, likely in a form of temple service or consecrated life, rather than her physical death. This interpretation aligns with the biblical condemnation of human sacrifice and transforms the "sacrifice" from a physical immolation to a profound, lifelong spiritual consecration and the relinquishment of her ability to bear children and continue her father's lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father":** This clause marks the conclusion of the period of lamentation granted to Jephthah's daughter. The two months allowed her to come to terms with her fate and to mourn with her companions the loss of her future as a wife and mother, a significant aspect of womanhood in ancient Israelite society. Her return signifies her acceptance of the vow's terms and her readiness for its fulfillment.
* **"who did with her [according] to his vow which he had vowed":** This phrase confirms that Jephthah indeed carried out his promise. The precise nature of "did with her" is clarified by the subsequent clause. It emphasizes the binding nature of the vow in Jephthah's mind and the cultural expectation that oaths to God must be honored, even if made foolishly.
* **"and she knew no man":** This is the crucial interpretative phrase. As discussed in the Key Word Analysis, "knew" is a euphemism for sexual intimacy. Therefore, this clause unequivocally states that Jephthah's daughter remained a virgin and never married. This detail strongly supports the interpretation that her "sacrifice" was a lifelong consecration to God in perpetual virginity, a profound and irreversible offering of her life and potential for progeny, rather than a literal human sacrifice. This interpretation is consistent with the biblical prohibition against human sacrifice.
* **"And it was a custom in Israel":** This concluding phrase introduces the subsequent verse, [Judges 11:40](/judges/11-40 "Judges 11:40 - The Annual Custom"), which explains that the daughters of Israel commemorated Jephthah's daughter annually. This indicates that her story became a significant and enduring part of Israelite collective memory, serving as a reminder of the tragic consequences of Jephthah's vow and perhaps the profound sacrifice of her life.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Jephthah's daughter is imbued with **Tragedy**, as her innocent life is irrevocably altered by her father's rash promise. The story uses **Irony**, as Jephthah's zealous attempt to secure victory through a vow leads to the devastation of his own household and the loss of his only heir, undermining the very concept of a lasting legacy he might have hoped for. The phrase "she knew no man" serves as a powerful **Euphemism**, subtly but clearly conveying the nature of her lifelong consecration without explicitly detailing the "sacrifice." The annual custom mentioned at the end of the verse acts as a **Commemoration**, ensuring that the profound sorrow and the unique nature of her sacrifice would not be forgotten by future generations of Israelite women. The entire episode also functions as a **Foreshadowing** of the deeper spiritual and moral decay that would plague Israel throughout the period of the Judges.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 11:39 serves as a profound theological lesson on the nature of vows, the character of God, and the consequences of human folly. It powerfully affirms that God is not a deity who demands or delights in human sacrifice; such practices were an abomination to Him and explicitly forbidden under the Mosaic Law. Jephthah's vow, while binding in his own mind due to cultural pressure and a misguided understanding of divine requirements, was ultimately rash and outside the scope of God's will. The true tragedy lies not in a divine demand for human life, but in Jephthah's lack of discernment and his daughter's innocent suffering. Her lifelong consecration, marked by perpetual virginity, represented a profound and irreversible "sacrifice" of her future and lineage, highlighting the immense cost of an ill-conceived promise. This narrative calls believers to exercise wisdom and to understand God's character deeply before making commitments, ensuring that our promises align with His revealed will and righteous nature.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")
* [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Prohibition of Offering Children to Molech")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "On Keeping Vows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Jephthah and his daughter is a somber yet instructive narrative for believers today. It compels us to consider the gravity of our words and commitments, especially those made to God. While God desires us to be people of integrity who keep our promises, this narrative underscores that our vows must always be made with wisdom, discernment, and a clear understanding of God's character and His revealed will. We are reminded that God never requires actions that contradict His moral law or His nature of love and life. This account challenges us to seek God's wisdom diligently in all our decisions, to avoid impulsive pledges, and to understand that true devotion is expressed not through desperate or misguided attempts to appease Him, but through obedient love that aligns with His righteous and holy commands. It also encourages us to reflect on the profound personal costs that can arise from human folly, even when cloaked in religious zeal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this narrative challenge my understanding of making promises or vows to God?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to make "rash vows" in my own life, perhaps through impulsive commitments or promises I haven't fully considered?**
* **What does Jephthah's story teach me about the importance of discerning God's true character and will, rather than relying on my own assumptions or cultural pressures?**
* **How can I cultivate greater wisdom and discernment in my decision-making, particularly when it involves significant commitments?**

### FAQ
**Was Jephthah's daughter literally sacrificed as a burnt offering?**

Answer: No, the most widely accepted and biblically sound interpretation, strongly supported by the text itself, is that Jephthah's daughter was consecrated to lifelong virginity and service to the Lord, not literally killed. The crucial phrase in [Judges 11:39](/judges/11-39 "Judges 11:39 - Jephthah's Daughter's Consecration"), "and she knew no man," is a clear biblical euphemism for sexual intimacy. This detail indicates that her "sacrifice" was her perpetual virginity and the profound loss of her ability to marry, bear children, and continue her father's lineage, which was a significant personal and familial tragedy in ancient Israelite society. This interpretation aligns with God's explicit prohibition of human sacrifice in the Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Prohibition of Child Sacrifice"); [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Prohibition of Offering Children to Molech")), making it highly unlikely that God would have accepted or required such an act.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Jephthah's daughter, bound by a flawed human vow, finds its profound and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jephthah's vow, born of human desperation and a misguided understanding of God, led to an irreversible and sorrowful "sacrifice" that brought no true redemption, only personal devastation and a commemorative custom of lament. In stark contrast, God the Father, in His infinite love and perfect wisdom, made the ultimate vow to redeem humanity, fulfilling it through the willing, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Unlike Jephthah's daughter, who was an innocent victim of a rash promise, Jesus willingly laid down His life, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His sacrifice on the cross was not a human-initiated, tragic consequence of a foolish vow, but a divine, pre-ordained act of pure love and obedience, perfectly fulfilling the will of God ([Hebrews 10:4-10](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Through Christ's perfect offering, we receive not lamentation, but eternal life, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The story of Jephthah's daughter, with its emphasis on a life consecrated and a future relinquished, ultimately points to the infinitely greater consecration and self-giving of Christ, whose sacrifice truly redeems and brings hope to all who believe.

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

Judges 11:31

Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

1 Samuel 2:18

But Samuel ministered before the LORD, [being] a child, girded with a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 1:28

Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Leviticus 27:28

Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, [both] of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing [is] most holy unto the LORD.

Leviticus 27:29

None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; [but] shall surely be put to death.

Isaiah 66:3

He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

1 Samuel 1:24

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child [was] young.