Judges 11:7

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?

And Jephthah {H3316} said {H559} unto the elders {H2205} of Gilead {H1568}, Did not ye hate {H8130} me, and expel {H1644} me out of my father's {H1} house {H1004}? and why are ye come {H935} unto me now when ye are in distress {H6887}?

Yiftach answered the leaders of Gil'ad, "Didn't you hate me so much that you forced me out of my father's house? Why are you coming to me now, when you're in trouble?"

Jephthah replied to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and expel me from my father’s house? Why then have you come to me now, when you are in distress?”

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and drive me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?

Commentary

In Judges 11:7, we hear Jephthah's sharp, poignant response to the elders of Gilead who have come to seek his help. This verse encapsulates his deep-seated bitterness and the stark reality of their opportunistic plea, setting the stage for his eventual, albeit complex, leadership.

Historical and Cultural Context

To understand Jephthah's words, it's crucial to recall his background. As detailed in Judges 11:1-3, Jephthah was the son of a harlot, born to Gilead. His half-brothers, driven by inheritance concerns, expelled him from his father's house, and the elders of Gilead evidently acquiesced to this expulsion, effectively ostracizing him. He subsequently lived in the land of Tob, becoming a leader of "vain men" (raiders). Years later, the Ammonites threatened Israel, specifically Gilead, prompting the elders to seek a military leader. Having exhausted their own options, they turned to the very man they had once rejected, as described in Judges 11:4-6. Jephthah's question highlights the profound hypocrisy and desperation of their sudden appeal.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rejection and Resentment: Jephthah's opening question, "Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house?", immediately brings to the forefront the pain of his past. His words convey a legitimate sense of grievance and the lasting sting of being an outcast.
  • Desperation and Hypocrisy: The elders' visit underscores their dire situation. They only seek Jephthah's leadership when "in distress," revealing a self-serving motive rather than genuine repentance for their past actions. This highlights the human tendency to turn to those we've wronged only when in desperate need.
  • The Call to Leadership from Unexpected Places: Despite his bitter past and the elders' hypocrisy, Jephthah is being called to lead. This narrative thread, common in the book of Judges, demonstrates God's ability to raise up leaders from diverse and often unlikely backgrounds to deliver His people, as seen in Judges 2:16.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong terms: "hate" and "expel." The Hebrew word for "hate" is sane (שָׂנֵא), implying a deep-seated animosity or rejection, not just dislike. The term "expel" comes from garash (גָּרַשׁ), which means to drive out, cast out, or divorce. This emphasizes the forceful and definitive nature of Jephthah's banishment from his family and community, reinforcing the severity of the injustice he endured.

Practical Application

This verse offers several poignant lessons for today. It reminds us of the lasting impact of rejection and betrayal, and how past hurts can resurface, even when opportunities for reconciliation arise. For those who have been wronged, it speaks to the challenge of moving past bitterness to serve a greater purpose. For communities or individuals, it serves as a warning against hypocrisy and the tendency to exploit others only when convenient. Ultimately, Jephthah's story, beginning with this confrontation, highlights God's sovereignty in raising up leaders, even flawed ones, from unexpected places to fulfill His purposes.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 26:27 (6 votes)

    And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?

  • Revelation 3:9 (4 votes)

    Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  • Genesis 45:4 (3 votes)

    And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

  • Genesis 45:5 (3 votes)

    Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

  • Isaiah 60:14 (3 votes)

    The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Proverbs 17:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

  • Genesis 37:27 (3 votes)

    Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he [is] our brother [and] our flesh. And his brethren were content.