Judges 11:34 - Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
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What does "Judges 11:34" mean?
Judges 11:34 is a pivotal verse in the tragic story of Jephthah. Here's a breakdown of what it means and its significance:
"Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house..." This sets the scene. Jephthah is returning home to Mizpah after a victorious battle against the Ammonites. He's fulfilled his vow (which he made hastily) to offer as a burnt offering whatever comes out of his house to meet him.
"...and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances." This is the shocking and heartbreaking moment. His daughter, joyful and unaware of the vow, rushes out to greet him with celebration. The use of "tambourines and dances" emphasizes her youthful joy and innocence, and her enthusiasm in welcoming her father home as a triumphant hero.
"She was his only child." This is a crucial detail that amplifies the tragedy. The verse emphasizes that she is not just a* daughter, but his only daughter. This makes the implications of Jephthah's vow far more devastating. He will not have descendants to carry on his family line.
"Besides her he had neither son nor daughter." This further underscores the gravity of the situation. Not only is she his only child, but he has no other children. Her loss means the extinction of his lineage. The lack of a son also likely held additional significance in that society, as sons were often responsible for inheriting land and carrying on the family name.
In summary, this verse serves several important functions:
Highlighting the Tragic Irony: The joy of the homecoming celebration is sharply contrasted with the impending doom brought about by Jephthah's vow.
Emphasizing the Daughter's Innocence: The verse emphasizes the daughter's innocence and her role in the traditional joyful welcoming of a triumphant hero.
Illustrating the Devastating Consequences: The fact that she is Jephthah's only child makes the consequences of his vow particularly devastating, ensuring the end of his family line.
Raising Ethical Questions: The story prompts questions about the nature of vows, divine acceptance of human sacrifice, and the consequences of rash decisions made in the name of religious devotion.
The verse is emotionally charged and sets the stage for the painful fulfillment of Jephthah's rash vow, making it one of the most troubling and debated passages in the Book of Judges.
Judges 11:34 - Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
What does "Judges 11:34" mean?
Judges 11:34 is a pivotal verse in the tragic story of Jephthah. Here's a breakdown of what it means and its significance:
"Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house..." This sets the scene. Jephthah is returning home to Mizpah after a victorious battle against the Ammonites. He's fulfilled his vow (which he made hastily) to offer as a burnt offering whatever comes out of his house to meet him.
"...and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances." This is the shocking and heartbreaking moment. His daughter, joyful and unaware of the vow, rushes out to greet him with celebration. The use of "tambourines and dances" emphasizes her youthful joy and innocence, and her enthusiasm in welcoming her father home as a triumphant hero.
"She was his only child." This is a crucial detail that amplifies the tragedy. The verse emphasizes that she is not just a* daughter, but his only daughter. This makes the implications of Jephthah's vow far more devastating. He will not have descendants to carry on his family line.
"Besides her he had neither son nor daughter." This further underscores the gravity of the situation. Not only is she his only child, but he has no other children. Her loss means the extinction of his lineage. The lack of a son also likely held additional significance in that society, as sons were often responsible for inheriting land and carrying on the family name.
In summary, this verse serves several important functions:
Highlighting the Tragic Irony: The joy of the homecoming celebration is sharply contrasted with the impending doom brought about by Jephthah's vow.
Emphasizing the Daughter's Innocence: The verse emphasizes the daughter's innocence and her role in the traditional joyful welcoming of a triumphant hero.
Illustrating the Devastating Consequences: The fact that she is Jephthah's only child makes the consequences of his vow particularly devastating, ensuring the end of his family line.
Raising Ethical Questions: The story prompts questions about the nature of vows, divine acceptance of human sacrifice, and the consequences of rash decisions made in the name of religious devotion.
The verse is emotionally charged and sets the stage for the painful fulfillment of Jephthah's rash vow, making it one of the most troubling and debated passages in the Book of Judges.