Judges 11:38 - He said, “Go.” He sent her away for two months: and she departed, she and her companions, and mourned her virginity on the mountains.
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What does "Judges 11:38" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Jephthah, a judge of Israel, and his tragic vow to God. Let's break down the meaning:
"He said, 'Go.'": This refers to Jephthah granting his daughter's request.
"He sent her away for two months...": Jephthah allows his daughter a two-month reprieve before fulfilling his vow.
"...and she departed, she and her companions...": Jephthah's daughter leaves with her female friends. This indicates that she is unmarried, and they would likely be similar aged women.
"...and mourned her virginity on the mountains.": This is the crux of the verse's meaning. This is not simply mourning the loss of her life, but the loss of the chance to have children. In ancient Israelite society, a woman's primary role was to marry and bear children, continuing the family line. Dying a virgin meant she would not fulfill this crucial role, leaving her family without descendants from her. The "mountains" suggest a secluded and somber place for her mourning. The location may also have some connection to a sacred spot.
In Summary:
Jephthah's daughter is mourning the fact that she will die a virgin, and thus childless, forever. This loss is considered a significant tragedy in the context of ancient Israelite society, where women's value was often tied to their ability to bear children and continue the family line. The two months given to her by her father allowed her to come to terms with her fate before Jephthah was forced to follow through on the vow to God.
Judges 11:38 - He said, “Go.” He sent her away for two months: and she departed, she and her companions, and mourned her virginity on the mountains.
What does "Judges 11:38" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Jephthah, a judge of Israel, and his tragic vow to God. Let's break down the meaning:
"He said, 'Go.'": This refers to Jephthah granting his daughter's request.
"He sent her away for two months...": Jephthah allows his daughter a two-month reprieve before fulfilling his vow.
"...and she departed, she and her companions...": Jephthah's daughter leaves with her female friends. This indicates that she is unmarried, and they would likely be similar aged women.
"...and mourned her virginity on the mountains.": This is the crux of the verse's meaning. This is not simply mourning the loss of her life, but the loss of the chance to have children. In ancient Israelite society, a woman's primary role was to marry and bear children, continuing the family line. Dying a virgin meant she would not fulfill this crucial role, leaving her family without descendants from her. The "mountains" suggest a secluded and somber place for her mourning. The location may also have some connection to a sacred spot.
In Summary:
Jephthah's daughter is mourning the fact that she will die a virgin, and thus childless, forever. This loss is considered a significant tragedy in the context of ancient Israelite society, where women's value was often tied to their ability to bear children and continue the family line. The two months given to her by her father allowed her to come to terms with her fate before Jephthah was forced to follow through on the vow to God.