Judges 11:5

KJV

And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was so, that when the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983} made war {H3898} against Israel {H3478}, the elders {H2205} of Gilead {H1568} went {H3212} to fetch {H3947} Jephthah {H3316} out of the land {H776} of Tob {H2897}:

Complete Jewish Bible

When the army of 'Amon attacked Isra'el, the leaders of Gil'ad went to fetch Yiftach from the territory of Tov

Berean Standard Bible

and made war with them, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

American Standard Version

And it was so, that, when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 11:5 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jephthah, illustrating Israel's dire predicament under Ammonite oppression and the desperate measures taken by the elders of Gilead. Having previously cast out Jephthah due to his illegitimate birth, these leaders are now compelled by the escalating warfare to seek out this exiled warrior from the land of Tob, highlighting their extreme need for a deliverer and setting the stage for Jephthah's unlikely rise as a judge over Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 11:5 is situated within the cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges, which consistently portrays Israel's pattern of apostasy, divine judgment through oppression, cries for deliverance, and God raising up a judge. Immediately preceding this verse, [Judges 10](/judges/10 "Judges 10 - Israel's Apostasy and Oppression") details Israel's deep spiritual decline, where they "again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" by serving various foreign gods, including those of Ammon and Philistia ([Judges 10:6](/judges/10-6 "Judges 10:6 - Israel's Idolatry")). This provoked God's anger, leading Him to sell them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites, who " crushed and oppressed the people of Israel" for eighteen years, particularly those in Gilead beyond the Jordan ([Judges 10:7-9](/judges/10-7 "Judges 10:7-9 - Ammonite and Philistine Oppression")). The people finally cried out to the Lord ([Judges 10:10](/judges/10-10 "Judges 10:10 - Israel's Cry to God")), but God initially rebuked them for their repeated unfaithfulness ([Judges 10:11-14](/judges/10-11 "Judges 10:11-14 - God's Rebuke")). Despite this, Israel repented, put away their foreign gods, and served the Lord ([Judges 10:15-16](/judges/10-15 "Judges 10:15-16 - Israel's Repentance")), leading to the Ammonites gathering for war and the Israelites assembling in Mizpah ([Judges 10:17](/judges/10-17 "Judges 10:17 - Ammonites Gather for War")). It is in this context of escalating military threat and the desperate need for a leader that the elders of Gilead turn to Jephthah, who had been previously rejected by them ([Judges 11:1-3](/judges/11-1 "Judges 11:1-3 - Jephthah's Rejection")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (c. 1375-1050 BC) was characterized by a decentralized tribal society in Israel, lacking a central monarchy or strong national leadership. Each tribe largely operated autonomously, and "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")). This fragmentation made Israel vulnerable to external threats from surrounding peoples. The Ammonites, descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:38), were a consistently hostile neighbor to the tribes east of the Jordan, particularly Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, which comprised Gilead. Their claim to Israelite territory (Judges 11:13) indicates a long-standing territorial dispute. In this context, military prowess was highly valued, and a "judge" often emerged as a charismatic military leader raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression. The elders, as the established local leadership, held significant authority in decision-making, especially in times of crisis, and their journey to "fetch" Jephthah underscores the severity of their situation and the absence of any other viable military commander.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 11:5 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book. Firstly, it highlights the **desperation and pragmatism of human leadership** when faced with overwhelming crisis. The elders, representing the community, set aside their pride and past prejudices to seek help from the very person they had wronged, illustrating how extreme circumstances can compel individuals and communities to reconsider their biases. Secondly, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's use of the outcast and marginalized** to accomplish His purposes. Jephthah, a man of humble and ostracized origins, rejected by his family and living in exile, becomes the unlikely instrument of Israel's deliverance. This foreshadows a recurring biblical motif where God chooses the weak, the despised, and the overlooked to confound the strong and wise, demonstrating His sovereignty and power ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak")). Finally, the verse underscores Israel's **constant need for a deliverer** in a period marked by spiritual and political chaos. Without a righteous king, the people were adrift, and their survival depended on God raising up champions like Jephthah to rescue them from their enemies, pointing to the ultimate need for a perfect King and Savior.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fetch (לָקַח, _lāqaḥ_):** This Hebrew verb means "to take," "to seize," "to acquire," or "to fetch." In this context, it implies a deliberate, urgent, and active retrieval. The elders are not merely inviting Jephthah; they are going out of their way to "take" him from his place of exile, signifying their recognition of his unique military capabilities and their profound desperation. It suggests a humbling act on their part, acknowledging their prior injustice and their current inability to cope without him.
* **elders of Gilead (זִקְנֵי גִּלְעָד, _ziqnei Gil'ad_):** The "elders" (זְקֵנִים, _zeqenim_) were the respected, experienced, and authoritative leaders of the community or tribe. Their collective decision to seek Jephthah highlights that this was a communal, official act, not merely a private plea. Gilead was a region east of the Jordan River, inhabited by the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These elders represented the people most directly affected by the Ammonite oppression, making their desperate plea for help particularly poignant.
* **Tob (טוֹב, _Tōv_):** This is a geographical place name, meaning "good" or "pleasant." It was a region likely located northeast of Gilead, possibly in modern-day southern Syria or northern Jordan. For Jephthah, it was a place of exile and refuge after being driven out by his half-brothers ([Judges 11:3](/judges/11-3 "Judges 11:3 - Jephthah's Exile")). The mention of "the land of Tob" precisely locates Jephthah, emphasizing his separation from his people and the distance the elders had to travel to retrieve him, further highlighting their dire need.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel":** This clause establishes the immediate catalyst for the events that follow. The Ammonites, having previously oppressed Israel for eighteen years ([Judges 10:8](/judges/10-8 "Judges 10:8 - Ammonite Oppression")), have now escalated their aggression into full-scale military conflict. This signifies a critical turning point, moving from mere oppression to open warfare, which demands an immediate and decisive response. The phrase "made war" (נִלְחֲמוּ, _nilḥamu_) indicates an active, aggressive military campaign.
* **"the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah":** This is the desperate, yet decisive, action taken by the leaders of the most affected region. Their "going to fetch" (וַיֵּלְכוּ לָקַחַת, _vayyel'khu laqaḥat_) Jephthah underscores the urgency and the recognition that no other leader within their community possessed the necessary military acumen or courage. It is a humbling admission of their own inadequacy and a reversal of their previous rejection of Jephthah.
* **"out of the land of Tob":** This specifies Jephthah's location, emphasizing his status as an outsider, an exile living beyond the immediate borders of Israelite territory. His presence in "the land of Tob" reminds the reader of his past rejection due to his illegitimate birth ([Judges 11:1-3](/judges/11-1 "Judges 11:1-3 - Jephthah's Background")). The elders' journey to this foreign land highlights the extent of their desperation and the unlikelihood of their chosen deliverer.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 11:5 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very elders who had previously driven Jephthah out of Gilead are now forced by circumstances to humble themselves and seek his help. This reversal of fortune underscores the desperation of their situation and highlights Jephthah's unique, indispensable qualities. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Jephthah's eventual rise to leadership despite his outcast status. This aligns with a broader biblical theme where God often chooses the humble and rejected to accomplish His will, challenging conventional notions of power and authority. Furthermore, the verse serves as a crucial point in the **Narrative Arc** of the Book of Judges, marking the transition from Israel's repentance and cry for help to God's raising up of a deliverer. The escalating conflict with Ammon provides the necessary dramatic tension that propels the narrative forward, setting the stage for Jephthah's negotiation with the elders and his subsequent military campaign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 11:5 serves as a powerful illustration of divine providence working through human desperation and flawed instruments. It reveals that even when God's people are in a state of spiritual decline and face dire consequences for their unfaithfulness, God, in His mercy, provides a way out. The elders' desperate plea to Jephthah, a man they had scorned, reflects humanity's tendency to exhaust all conventional options before turning to unconventional, divinely appointed solutions. It underscores that God's choices for leadership often defy human expectations, demonstrating His sovereignty in raising up unlikely figures to fulfill His purposes, even those with significant personal flaws, to deliver His people.

* [Psalm 107:13](/psalm/107-13 "Cry Out in Trouble")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God Looks at the Heart")
* [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "The Humble Exalted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 11:5 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine our own prejudices and biases, particularly in recognizing potential and leadership in unexpected places. Just as the elders of Gilead were forced to confront their past rejection of Jephthah due to their desperate need, we too may be called to set aside pride and conventional thinking to embrace solutions or leaders that do not fit our preconceived notions. The verse reminds us that true capability and God-given anointing can reside in individuals whom society, or even the church, has marginalized or overlooked. Furthermore, it speaks to the humbling power of desperate circumstances, which can strip away our self-sufficiency and force us to acknowledge our profound need for help, whether from others or, ultimately, from God. In moments of crisis, we are often compelled to seek assistance from sources we might otherwise avoid, revealing the depth of our dependence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you, or your community, been in a situation so desperate that you had to set aside pride or prejudice to seek help from an unexpected source?**
* **How does this verse challenge your perceptions of who God uses for His purposes, especially concerning those who might be considered "outcasts" or "unqualified" by societal standards?**
* **In what ways might our own "land of Tob" (places of isolation or past rejection) be preparing us, or others, for a future role in God's plan?**

### FAQ

**Who were the "elders of Gilead" and why did they go to Jephthah?**

Answer: The "elders of Gilead" were the respected, authoritative leaders of the Israelite tribes (primarily Gad and Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) residing in the Transjordanian region of Gilead. They represented the collective leadership and decision-making body of the community. They went to Jephthah because their people were under severe oppression and open warfare from the Ammonites ([Judges 10:7-9](/judges/10-7 "Judges 10:7-9 - Ammonite Oppression")), and they lacked a capable military leader to deliver them. Despite having previously rejected Jephthah due to his illegitimate birth and driving him into exile ([Judges 11:1-3](/judges/11-1 "Judges 11:1-3 - Jephthah's Background")), his reputation as a mighty warrior and leader of a band of "worthless fellows" ([Judges 11:3](/judges/11-3 "Judges 11:3 - Jephthah's Companions")) was well-known. Their act of "fetching" him highlights their extreme desperation and the absence of any other viable option for military leadership within their own ranks.

**What was the "land of Tob" and why is its mention significant?**

Answer: The "land of Tob" (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ טוֹב, _'eretz Tōv_) was a geographical region likely located northeast of Gilead, possibly in modern-day southern Syria or northern Jordan. Its exact location is debated, but it was outside the immediate Israelite tribal territories. Its mention is significant because it was the place where Jephthah had taken refuge after being driven out by his half-brothers, who refused to share their inheritance with him because he was the son of a prostitute ([Judges 11:1-3](/judges/11-1 "Judges 11:1-3 - Jephthah's Exile")). Thus, "the land of Tob" symbolizes Jephthah's status as an outcast and an exile. The fact that the elders had to travel to this distant, foreign land to retrieve him underscores the depth of their crisis and the extent of their humility in seeking help from someone they had previously wronged and banished. It highlights that God often raises up deliverers from unexpected places and circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 11:5, while detailing the desperate call for an imperfect human deliverer, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate, perfect Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as Jephthah was an outcast, rejected by his own people and living in exile in the "land of Tob" ([Judges 11:1-3](/judges/11-1 "Judges 11:1-3 - Jephthah's Rejection")), so too was Jesus "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). He came to His own, and His own people "did not receive Him" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own")), ultimately casting Him out of the city to be crucified ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")). Yet, in humanity's deepest spiritual crisis—enslaved by sin and facing the wrath of God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"); [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"))—there was no one else who could deliver. Humanity, like the elders of Gilead, was utterly helpless. It was God Himself who "fetched" His Son from heaven, sending Him into the world not to condemn it, but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save")). Jesus, the true Lamb of God, took away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), becoming the perfect Judge and Deliverer, not through military might, but through self-sacrificial love and resurrection power, offering eternal salvation to all who believe, regardless of their past or perceived status ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confess and 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

1 Samuel 11:12

¶ And the people said unto Samuel, Who [is] he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 1:29

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Psalms 118:22

The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

Psalms 118:23

This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Acts 7:39

To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust [him] from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,