Judges 11:29

_THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON JEPHTHAH, AND HE PASSED OVER GILEAD, AND MANASSEH, AND PASSED OVER MIZPEH OF GILEAD, AND FROM MIZPEH OF GILEAD HE PASSED OVER UNTO THE CHILDREN OF AMMON._ Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthan. The calm wisdom, sagacious fore-thought, and indomitable energy which he was enabled to display, were a pledge to himself, and a convincing evidence to his countrymen, that he was qualified by higher resources than his own for the momentous duties of his office. HE PASSED OVER GILEAD AND MANASSEH - the provinces most exposed and in danger for the purpose of HE PASSED OVER GILEAD AND MANASSEH - the provinces most exposed and in danger, for the purpose of levying troops, and exciting by his presence a widespread interest in the national cause. Returning to the camp at Mizpeh, he thence began his march against the enemy, and there he made his celebrat...

29-40 Several important lessons are to be learned from Jephthah's vow. 1. There may be remainders of distrust and doubting, even in the hearts of true and great believers. 2. Our vows to God should not be as a purchase of the favour we desire, but to express gratitude to him. 3. We need to be very well-advised in making vows, lest we entangle ourselves. 4. What we have solemnly vowed to God, we must perform, if it be possible and lawful, though it be difficult and grievous to us. 5. It well becomes children, obediently and cheerfully to submit to their parents in the Lord. It is hard to say what Jephthah did in performance of his vow; but it is thought that he did not offer his daughter as a burnt-offering. Such a sacrifice would have been an abomination to the Lord; it is supposed she was obliged to remain unmarried, and apart from her family. Concerning this and some other such passag...

Verse Judges 11:29. _THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON JEPHTHAH_] The Lord qualified him for the work he had called him to do, and thus gave him the most convincing testimony that his cause was good....

THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD ... - This was the sanctification of Jephthah for his office of Judge and savior of God’s people Israel. Compare Judges 6:34; Judges 13:25. The declaration is one of the distinctive marks which stamp this history as a divine history. The geography is rather obscure, but the sense seems to be that Jephthah first raised all the inhabitants of Mount Gilead; then he crossed the Jabbok into Manasseh, and raised them; then he returned at the head of his new forces to his own camp at Mizpeh to join the troops he had left there; and thence at the head of the whole army marched against the Ammonites, who occupied the southern parts of Gilead....

EXPOSITION JUDGES 11:29 THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON JEPHTHAH, as upon Othniel, upon Gideon, and upon Samson (Judges 3:16; Judges 6:34; Judges 13:25; Judges 14:19; Judges 15:14). HE PASSED OVER, _i.e._ he went all through, GILEAD, AND MANASSEH,—for the purpose, no doubt, of collecting forces,—AND PASSED OVER MIZPEH. It should be to _Mizpeh. _Mizpeh was t

THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON JEPHTHAH,.... The spirit of strength, as the Targum; of fortitude of mind, of uncommon valour and courage, and of zeal for God and Israel, and against their enemies; such a spirit as used to be given to men, when they were in an extraordinary manner raised up by the Lord, to be judges, saviours, and deliverers of his people; so that as Jephthah was before chosen by the people to be the general and head of the tribes beyond Jordan, he was raised up and qualified by the Lord now to be the judge of all Israel; of which the Spirit of the Lord coming on him was a sufficient proof and evidence: AND HE PASSED OVER GILEAD AND MANASSEH; the countries that belonged to Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; however, all that part of it which lay from the place where he was, to the land of the children of Ammon: AND PASSED OVER MIZPEH OF GILEAD; which la...

JEPHTHAH Jephthah seems to have been judge only of northeast Israel....

CHAPTER 11 JEPHTHAH AND THE AMMONITES _ 1. Jephthah's covenant (Judges 11:1)_ 2. The messages to Ammon (Judges 11:12) 3. Jephthah's vow and victory (Judges 11:29) 4. Jephthah keeps his vow (Judges 11:34) Jephthah the judge who delivered Israel from the servitude of Ammon was the offspring of an unholy union “the son of an harlot.” Then he became an outcast and had to flee from his brethren. He dwelt in the land of Tob (goodness) and vain, or worthless, men gathered unto him. Yet he was a mighty man of valor. He was therefore an humble instrument, despised and rejected by his own. But finally thos

JEPHTHAH'S VOW, AND HIS CAMPAIGN AGAINST AMMON. Judges 11:29 b is probably an editorial note, a somewhat unskilful attempt to fasten the new cloth (Judges 11:12) into the old garment (Moore.) Jephthah's vow was made at the holy place of Mizpah in Gilead, like Jacob's at Bethel (Gen. 28:24f., Genesis 31:13). In hope of victory, or dread of disaster, men vowed, or devoted, to Yahweh something very precious it might even be a human life believing they would thus propitate His favour and secure His aid. Judges 11:31. Whatsoever is entirely wrong; read whosoever (_mg.)._ Jephthah intended a human sacrifice. To suggest

THE SPIRIT. Hebrew. _ruach_ (feminine.) See App-9. UNTO. This word is read in the text of some codices with Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate....