Judges 11:37 - She said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me. Leave me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions.”
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What does "Judges 11:37" mean?
This verse from Judges 11:37 is a crucial part of the tragic story of Jephthah's daughter. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: Jephthah, an Israelite judge, made a vow to God that if he was granted victory over the Ammonites, he would sacrifice whatever first came out of his house to greet him upon his return. He won the battle, and his only daughter was the first to greet him. He was devastated, as he now felt obligated to fulfill his vow.
"She said to her father, 'Let this thing be done for me.'" This indicates her acceptance of her fate. She doesn't try to completely dissuade her father. While she pleads for a small reprieve, she understands the weight of her father's vow and his obligation to keep it. "This thing" refers to her impending sacrifice.
"Leave me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions." This is the heart of the verse. This request reveals the specific tragedy she is lamenting:
"Leave me alone two months": She asks for a temporary reprieve, a postponement of the inevitable.
"That I may depart and go down on the mountains": She wants to isolate herself with her female companions in a secluded place. The mountains were often associated with places of mourning and lament.
"And bewail my virginity": This is the most significant part. She isn't primarily mourning her death, but rather the fact that she will die a virgin, without having the chance to experience marriage, motherhood, and carry on her family line. In ancient Israelite society, a woman's primary role was to marry and bear children. Dying a virgin was considered a great tragedy, as it meant the extinction of her lineage and the loss of the potential for future generations.
"I and my companions": She wants to share her grief with other young women who understand the societal expectations and the weight of her loss. This highlights the communal aspect of her mourning.
In summary, the verse reveals:
Jephthah's daughter's acceptance of her fate.
Her deep grief over dying a virgin and the loss of the opportunity for marriage and motherhood.
The importance of marriage and procreation in ancient Israelite culture.
The communal aspect of mourning and the comfort she finds in the company of her peers.
The verse is a powerful expression of the personal tragedy within the larger narrative of Jephthah's vow. It highlights the devastating consequences of rash decisions and the impact of patriarchal societal norms on women. It serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of religious obligation and the loss of potential and continuity.
Judges 11:37 - She said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me. Leave me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions.”
What does "Judges 11:37" mean?
This verse from Judges 11:37 is a crucial part of the tragic story of Jephthah's daughter. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: Jephthah, an Israelite judge, made a vow to God that if he was granted victory over the Ammonites, he would sacrifice whatever first came out of his house to greet him upon his return. He won the battle, and his only daughter was the first to greet him. He was devastated, as he now felt obligated to fulfill his vow.
"She said to her father, 'Let this thing be done for me.'" This indicates her acceptance of her fate. She doesn't try to completely dissuade her father. While she pleads for a small reprieve, she understands the weight of her father's vow and his obligation to keep it. "This thing" refers to her impending sacrifice.
"Leave me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions." This is the heart of the verse. This request reveals the specific tragedy she is lamenting:
"Leave me alone two months": She asks for a temporary reprieve, a postponement of the inevitable.
"That I may depart and go down on the mountains": She wants to isolate herself with her female companions in a secluded place. The mountains were often associated with places of mourning and lament.
"And bewail my virginity": This is the most significant part. She isn't primarily mourning her death, but rather the fact that she will die a virgin, without having the chance to experience marriage, motherhood, and carry on her family line. In ancient Israelite society, a woman's primary role was to marry and bear children. Dying a virgin was considered a great tragedy, as it meant the extinction of her lineage and the loss of the potential for future generations.
"I and my companions": She wants to share her grief with other young women who understand the societal expectations and the weight of her loss. This highlights the communal aspect of her mourning.
In summary, the verse reveals:
Jephthah's daughter's acceptance of her fate.
Her deep grief over dying a virgin and the loss of the opportunity for marriage and motherhood.
The importance of marriage and procreation in ancient Israelite culture.
The communal aspect of mourning and the comfort she finds in the company of her peers.
The verse is a powerful expression of the personal tragedy within the larger narrative of Jephthah's vow. It highlights the devastating consequences of rash decisions and the impact of patriarchal societal norms on women. It serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of religious obligation and the loss of potential and continuity.