Page 24 - July 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Conclusion of the Vow of Jephthah’s daughter.

The Lord accepts the terms of the vow, The purity of Jephthah’s daughter is easy
since the words “the LORD delivered them to prove – she is a virgin. A cursory glance
into his hands” (Jdg 11:32) are the same shows that the fulfilment of the vow is
1
words that Jephthah uttered (v30). This that her life is devoted to God in perpetual
point is not to be missed. Since God accepts virginity: “Let me ... bewail my virginity ...
the vow and fulfils His side of the deal, she ... bewailed her virginity ... she knew
He will proceed to claim His payment. no man” (11:37-39). The Judges author is
Jephthah has opened his house to God, and at pains to make the point.
God claims his daughter. This vestal virgin stands in stark contrast
The key to interpreting Jephthah’s to harlot-Israel. Like an adulterous wife,
daughter coming out to meet him and Israel had forsaken the Lord (10:6-16). The
the fulfilment of the vow (vv34-40) lies sevenfold description of Canaanite gods
in the preamble to the Jephthah narrative shows Israel had wedded herself to pagan-
(10:6-16). The unfaithfulness, apostasy and ism (v6). Israel’s apostasy is repeatedly em-
whoredom of the nation stand in stark con- phasised as they deceitfully “served” other
trast to the faithfulness and pure devotion gods (vv6,10,13). Her apostasy had reached
fever pitch, and she confessed as much:
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the “We have forsaken our God, and served
KJV. Baalim” (v10). Forsaking the Lord and

216 TRUTH kTidings July 2025