Judges 12:7

And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in [one of] the cities of Gilead.

And Jephthah {H3316} judged {H8199} Israel {H3478} six {H8337} years {H8141}. Then died {H4191} Jephthah {H3316} the Gileadite {H1569}, and was buried {H6912} in one of the cities {H5892} of Gilead {H1568}.

Yiftach judged Isra'el for six years. Then Yiftach from Gil'ad died, and he was buried in one of the cities of Gil'ad.

Jephthah judged Israel six years, and when he died, he was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried inone ofthe cities of Gilead.

Commentary

Context

Judges 12:7 concludes the narrative of Jephthah, the eighth judge of Israel, whose story is detailed primarily in Judges chapters 10-12. Jephthah, a Gileadite from humble and difficult beginnings, was called by the elders of Gilead to lead them against the oppressive Ammonites. His leadership was marked by a significant victory over the Ammonites, following a controversial and tragic vow concerning his daughter, as recorded in Judges 11:30-40. This verse summarizes the duration of his rule and his death, coming immediately after a fierce and bloody internal conflict with the proud tribe of Ephraim, detailed in Judges 12:1-6. His passing marks the end of another turbulent period in Israel's history during the time of the Judges.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Brevity of Leadership: Jephthah's six-year tenure as judge was relatively short compared to some other judges (e.g., Deborah's 40 years, Othniel's 40 years, Ehud's 80 years). This highlights the transient nature of human authority and the continuous need for new leadership in Israel's decentralized period.
  • The Cycle of Judges: Jephthah's death signals the close of another cycle of deliverance and subsequent peace, which was characteristic of the Book of Judges – a pattern of apostasy, oppression, crying out to God, and deliverance by a judge, followed by a period of rest.
  • A Complex Legacy: While Jephthah delivered Israel from the Ammonites, his reign is often remembered for the ethical dilemmas surrounding his vow and the internal strife with Ephraim. His burial in Gilead serves as a quiet end to a powerful yet controversial figure.

Linguistic Insights

The term "judged" (Hebrew: שָׁ׀ַט, shafat) used for Jephthah's rule, like for other judges, signifies more than merely presiding over legal cases. It encompasses the roles of a military deliverer, a civil administrator, and a leader who governed the people. Jephthah's actions as a military commander and his resolution of the dispute with Ephraim exemplify this broader meaning of the term.

Significance and Reflection

Judges 12:7 serves as a concise epitaph for Jephthah, marking the completion of his service to Israel. It reminds us that every leader, regardless of their victories or flaws, has a finite period of influence. Jephthah's story, culminating in this verse, underscores the challenges faced by Israel in the absence of a central, righteous king. It subtly points to the ongoing need for a perfect and eternal ruler, a role ultimately fulfilled by the Messiah, whose reign is characterized by justice and peace, unlike the often-flawed leadership of the Judges. This verse concludes a chapter in Israel's history, paving the way for the subsequent judges and the continued unfolding of God's sovereign plan for His people, eventually leading to the Davidic monarchy and the promise of a future King, the Prince of Peace.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.