Judges 11:9

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?

And Jephthah {H3316} said {H559} unto the elders {H2205} of Gilead {H1568}, If ye bring me home again {H7725} to fight {H3898} against the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}, and the LORD {H3068} deliver {H5414} them before {H6440} me, shall I be your head {H7218}?

Yiftach answered them, "If you bring me back home to fight the army of 'Amon, and ADONAI defeats them for me, I will be your head."

But Jephthah asked them, โ€œIf you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, will I really be your leader?โ€

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight with the children of Ammon, and Jehovah deliver them before me, shall I be your head?

Commentary

Context of Judges 11:9

Judges 11:9 is a pivotal moment in the story of Jephthah, a mighty warrior from Gilead. Before this verse, Jephthah had been cast out by his half-brothers and the elders of Gilead because he was the son of a harlot (see Judges 11:1-3). However, when the Ammonites began to oppress Israel, the elders of Gilead found themselves in a desperate situation and, remembering Jephthah's prowess, went to him to ask for his leadership in the fight (Judges 11:4-8). This verse records Jephthah's shrewd response to their appeal, setting his terms for returning to lead.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Conditional Leadership: Jephthah makes his agreement to lead conditional on two things: the elders bringing him "home again" (acknowledging his rightful place) and the LORD delivering the Ammonites into his hands. His question, "shall I be your head?", is a demand for permanent, recognized authority, not just a temporary military commission.
  • Divine Deliverance: Jephthah explicitly acknowledges that victory over the Ammonites would come from the LORD's hand, not solely through his own military skill. This highlights a recurring theme in the Book of Judges: Israel's deliverance is ultimately from God (compare Judges 3:28).
  • Negotiation and Trust: This verse reveals the distrust between Jephthah and the elders. He needs assurance that their newfound respect is genuine and lasting, securing his position beyond the immediate crisis.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "head" in this verse is rosh (ืจึนืืฉื), which denotes not merely a military commander but a chief, a leader, or a ruler. Jephthah was seeking to be more than just a general; he desired to be the established leader of Gilead. The phrase "deliver them before me" uses the Hebrew verb nathan (ื ึธืชึทืŸ), meaning "to give" or "to place into one's hand." This reinforces the idea that the victory would be a gift or an act of divine intervention from the LORD.

Practical Application

Jephthah's negotiation in Judges 11:9 offers several insights relevant today:

  1. Clear Communication in Agreements: Just as Jephthah sought clarity on his role, it's crucial to establish clear terms and expectations in any agreement, whether personal, professional, or spiritual, to prevent future misunderstandings.
  2. Recognizing God's Sovereignty: Jephthah's willingness to attribute potential victory to the LORD reminds us to acknowledge God's hand in our successes and challenges. Our efforts are important, but ultimate deliverance and blessings come from Him.
  3. Leadership and Responsibility: This verse underscores that true leadership often comes with conditions and responsibilities. Those who lead must be prepared to accept the duties and consequences associated with their authority, just as Jephthah would face significant challenges, including his tragic vow (see Judges 11:30-31).
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 32:20 (3 votes)

    And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,

  • Numbers 32:29 (3 votes)

    And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession: