Judges 11:5

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:

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}:

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

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

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

Context of Judges 11:5

Judges 11:5 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of Jephthah, one of Israel's judges. The book of Judges chronicles a tumultuous period of spiritual decline and political instability in Israel, characterized by a cyclical pattern: Israel would fall into sin, be oppressed by surrounding nations, cry out to God, and then God would raise up a deliverer, or "judge." Leading up to this verse, the Israelites had again forsaken the Lord and served foreign gods, provoking His anger. As a consequence, the Ammonites and Philistines began to oppress them severely, particularly the tribes east of the Jordan River, including Gilead (Judges 10:7-9). This verse specifically highlights the dire situation: the Ammonites had escalated their aggression into open warfare, pushing the elders of Gilead to seek help from an unlikely source.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Desperation Drives Action: The elders of Gilead, representing the leadership of the people, were in such a desperate state due to the Ammonite invasion that they were forced to turn to someone they had previously rejected. This illustrates how extreme circumstances can compel people to reconsider their prejudices and seek help from unconventional sources.
  • God's Use of the Outcast: Jephthah had been cast out by his family because he was the son of a harlot (Judges 11:1-3) and lived in exile. Yet, when human solutions failed, God's providence often works through those whom society overlooks or rejects. This foreshadows a recurring biblical theme of God using the humble and despised to accomplish His will.
  • The Need for a Deliverer: The verse underscores Israel's constant need for a deliverer during this tumultuous period. Without a strong central government or king, local leaders (like the elders of Gilead) had to find a military champion to rescue them from their enemies, reflecting the chaotic nature of the time described in the Book of Judges where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes".

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "land of Tob" (ื˜ื•ึนื‘ - Tลv) simply refers to a geographical location, likely east or northeast of Gilead. The name itself means "good" or "pleasant," though its significance here is purely geographical, indicating where Jephthah had established himself after his expulsion. The act of "fetching" (ืœึธืงึทื— - lฤqaแธฅ) implies a deliberate and urgent retrieval, highlighting the elders' recognition of Jephthah's unique capabilities, despite their past treatment of him.

Practical Application

Judges 11:5 offers several timeless lessons. Firstly, it reminds us that true leadership and capability can often be found in unexpected places, even among those society has marginalized. We should be careful not to dismiss individuals based on their background or past. Secondly, it illustrates how desperate situations can reveal our true needs and force us to humble ourselves and seek help from sources we might otherwise avoid. Finally, it points to a deeper spiritual truth: just as Israel needed a deliverer from physical oppression, humanity constantly needs a spiritual deliverer from the bondage of sin, a role uniquely fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 11:12 (3 votes)

    ยถ 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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    That no flesh should glory in his presence.

  • Psalms 118:22 (3 votes)

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

  • Psalms 118:23 (3 votes)

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

  • Acts 7:35 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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