Jephthah's Vow

Judges 11

Jephthah, driven out by his brothers as the son of a harlot, is recalled by the elders of Gilead to lead them against the Ammonites, and after failed negotiations the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him and he defeats them. Before the battle he vows to sacrifice whatever comes first from his house to meet him if granted victory, and that vow falls upon his only daughter, who accepts her fate after a period of mourning.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW Jephthae, the Galaadite, was at the head of an army. He was the son of a harlot, who bore Jephthae to Galaad.

BrentonAnd Jephthae the Galaadite was a mighty man; and he was the son of a harlot, who bore Jephthae to Galaad.

GreekΚαὶ Ἰεφθάε ὁ Γαλααδίτης ἐπῃρμένος δυνάμει, καὶ αὐτὸς υἱοῖς γυναικὸς πόρνης, ἣ ἐγέννησε τῷ Γαλαὰδ τὸν Ἰεφθάε.

KJVNow Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

JPSNow Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah.

ThomsonGalaad’s wife also bore him sons; and when the wife’s sons grew up, they thrust out Jephthae, and said to him, Thou shalt have no inheritance in the house of our father; for thou art the son of a concubine.

BrentonAnd the wife of Galaad bore him sons; and the sons of his wife grew up, and they cast out Jephthae, and said to him, Thou shalt not inherit in the house of our father, for thou art the son of a concubine.

GreekΚαὶ ἔτεκεν ἡ γυνὴ Γαλαὰδ αὐτῷ υἱούς· καὶ ἡδρύνθησαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς γυναικὸς, καὶ ἐξέβαλον τὸν Ἰεφθάε, καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ, οὐ κληρονομήσεις ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν, ὅτι υἱὸς γυναικὸς ἑταίρας σύ.

KJVAnd Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.

JPSAnd Gilead’s wife bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove out Jephthah, and said unto him: ‘Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of another woman.’

ThomsonUpon which Jephthae fled from the face of his brothers, and dwelt in the land of Tob. And there were gathered to Jephthae men of desperate fortunes, who went out with him.

BrentonAnd Jephthae fled from the face of his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob; and vain men gathered to Jephthae, and went out with him.

GreekΚαὶ ἔφυγεν Ἰεφθάε ἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ᾤκησεν ἐν γῇ Τώβ· καὶ συνεστράφησαν πρὸς Ἰεφθάε ἄνδρες κενοὶ, καὶ ἐξῆλθον μετʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVThen Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.

JPSThen Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob; and there were gathered vain fellows to Jephthah, and they went out with him.

ThomsonNow when the children of Ammon came out in array to fight against Israel,

BrentonAnd it came to pass when the children of Ammon prepared to fight with Israel,

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἡνίκα παρετάξαντο οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμῶν μετὰ Ἰσραὴλ,

KJVAnd it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.

JPSAnd it came to pass after a while, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.

Thomsonthe elders of Galaad went to bring Jephthae from the land of Tob,

Brentonthat the elders of Galaad went to fetch Jephthae from the land of Tob.

Greekκαὶ ἐπορεύθησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Γαλαὰδ λαβεῖν τὸν Ἰεφθάε ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς Τὼβ,

KJVAnd it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:

JPSAnd it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob.

Thomsonand they said to him, Come and be our leader that we may fight the Ammonites;

BrentonAnd they said to Jephthae, Come, and be our head, and we will fight with the sons of Ammon.

Greekκαὶ εἶπαν τῷ Ἰεφθάε, δεῦρο καὶ ἔσῃ ἡμῖν εἰς ἀρχηγὸν, καὶ παραταξόμεθα πρὸς υἱοὺς Ἀμμών.

KJVAnd they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.

JPSAnd they said unto Jephthah: ‘Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.’

Thomsonwhereupon Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, Have you not hated me, and driven me from my father’s house, and sent me away from you? Why then are you come to me now when you are in distress?

BrentonAnd Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, Did ye not hate me, and cast me out of my father's house, and banish me from you? and wherefore are ye come to me now when ye want me?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἰεφθάε τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις Γαλαὰδ, οὐχὶ ὑμεῖς ἐμισήσατέ με, καὶ ἐξεβάλετέ με ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ πατρός μου, καὶ ἐξαπεστείλατέ με ἀφʼ ὑμῶν; καὶ διατί ἤλθατε πρὸς μὲ νῦν ἡνίκα χρῄζετε;

KJVAnd Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?

JPSAnd Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead: ‘Did not ye hate me, and drive me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?’

ThomsonAnd the elders of Galaad said to him, It is for this very reason, that we have now come to thee. Therefore thou must come with us, and fight the children of Ammon, and thou shalt be our chief over all the inhabitants of Galaad.

BrentonAnd the elders of Galaad said to Jephthae, Therefore have we now turned to thee, that thou shouldest go with us, and fight against the sons of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Galaad.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ προσβύτεροι Γαλαὰδ πρὸς Ἰεφθάε, διὰ τοῦτο νῦν ἐπεστρέψαμεν πρὸς σὲ, καὶ πορεύσῃ μεθʼ ἡμῶν, καὶ παρατάξῃ πρὸς υἱοὺς Ἀμμὼν, καὶ ἔσῃ ἡμῖν εἰς ἄρχοντα πᾶσι τοῖς κατοικοῦσι Γαλαάδ.

KJVAnd the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

JPSAnd the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah: ‘Therefore are we returned to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight with the children of Ammon, and thou shalt be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.’

ThomsonThen Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, If you take me back to fight the children of Ammon, and the Lord deliver them up before me, I shall be your chief?

BrentonAnd Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, If ye turn me back to fight with the children of Ammon, and the Lord should deliver them before me, then will I be your head.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἰεφθάε πρὸς τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους Γαλαὰδ, εἰ ἐπιστρέφετέ με ὑμεῖς παρατάξασθαι ἐν υἱοῖς Ἀμμὼν, καὶ παραδῷ αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ, καὶ ἐγὼ ὑμῖν ἔσομαι εἰς ἄρχοντα.

KJVAnd Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?

JPSAnd Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead: ‘If ye bring me back home to fight with the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, I will be your head.’

ThomsonAnd the elders of Galaad said to him, Let the Lord be witness between us, if we do not according to this thy word.

BrentonAnd the elders of Galaad said to Jephthae, The Lord be witness between us, if we shall not do according to thy word.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Γαλαὰδ πρὸς Ἰεφθάε, Κύριος ἔστω ἀκούων ἀναμέσον ἡμῶν, εἰ μὴ κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου οὕτω ποιήσομεν.

KJVAnd the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.

JPSAnd the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah: ‘The LORD shall be witness between us; surely according to thy word so will we do.’

ThomsonThereupon Jephthae went with the elders of Galaad, and the people made him head and leader over them.

BrentonAnd Jephthae went with the elders of Galaad, and the people made him head and ruler over them: and Jephthae spoke all his words before the Lord in Massepha.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Ἰεφθάε μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων Γαλαὰδ, καὶ ἔθηκαν αὐτὸν ὁ λαὸς ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς εἰς κεφαλὴν καὶ εἰς ἀρχηγόν· καὶ ἐλάλησεν Ἰεφθαέ πάντας τοὺς λόγους αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου ἐν Μασσηφά.

KJVThen Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.

JPSThen Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and chief over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD in Mizpah.

ThomsonAnd when Jephthae had repeated all these his terms before the Lord, at Massepha, he sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come up against me to fight in my land?

BrentonAnd Jephthae sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What have I to do with thee, that thou hast come against me to fight in my land?

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰεφθάε ἀγγέλους πρὸς βασιλέα υἱῶν Ἀμμὼν, λέγων, τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοὶ, ὅτι ἦλθες πρὸς μὲ τοῦ παρατάξασθαι ἐν τῇ γῇ μου;

KJVAnd Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?

JPSAnd Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying: ‘What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come unto me to fight against my land?’

ThomsonAnd the king of the Ammonites said to Jephthae’s messengers—Because Israel took my land when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon to Jabok, and to the Jordan. Now therefore restore me those lands peaceably, and I will depart.

BrentonAnd the king of the children of Ammon said to the messengers of Jephthae, Because Israel took my land when he went up out of Egypt, from Arnon to Jaboc, and to Jordan: now then return them peaceably and I will depart.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε βασιλεὺς υἱῶν Ἀμμὼν πρὸς τοὺς ἀγγέλους Ἰεφθάε, ὅτι ἔλαβεν Ἰσραὴλ τὴν γῆν μου ἐν τῷ ἀναβαίνειν αὐτὸν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἀπὸ Ἀρνὼν ἕως Ἰαβὸκ καὶ ἕως τοῦ Ἰορδάνου· καὶ νῦν ἐπίστρεψον αὐτὰς ἐν εἰρήνῃ, καὶ πορεύσομαι.

KJVAnd the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably.

JPSAnd the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah: ‘Because Israel took away my land, when he came up out of Egypt, from the Arnon even unto the Jabbok, and unto the Jordan; now therefore restore those cities peaceably.’

ThomsonThereupon Jephthae again sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites,

BrentonAnd Jephthae again sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon,

GreekΚαὶ προσέθηκεν ἔτι Ἰεφθάε, καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους πρὸς βασιλέα υἱῶν Ἀμμών.

KJVAnd Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:

JPSAnd Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon;

Thomsonand said to him, Thus saith Jephthae, Israel did not take the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon.

Brentonand said to him, Thus says Jephthae, Israel took not the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon;

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, οὕτω λέγει Ἰεφθάε, οὐκ ἔλαβεν Ἰσραὴλ τὴν γῆν Μωὰβ, καὶ τὴν γῆν υἱῶν Ἀμμών,

KJVAnd said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:

JPSand he said unto him: ‘Thus saith Jephthah: Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon.

ThomsonFor when they came out of Egypt, Israel marched through the wilderness to the sea of Siph, and came to Kades;

Brentonfor in their going up out of Egypt Israel went in the wilderness as far as the sea of Siph, and came to Cades.

Greekὅτι ἐν τῷ ἀναβαίνειν αὐτοὺς ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐπορεύθη Ἰσραὴλ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἕως θαλάσσης Σὶφ, καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Κάδης.

KJVBut when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;

JPSBut when they came up from Egypt, and Israel walked through the wilderness unto the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh;

Thomsonand Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, march through thy land; but the king of Edom did not consent. They sent also to the king of Moab; but the king of Moab did not consent. So after halting at Kades,

BrentonAnd Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, I will pass, if it please thee, by thy land: and the king of Edom complied not: and Israel also sent to the king of Moab, and he did not consent; and Israel sojourned in Cades.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰσραὴλ ἀγγέλους πρὸς βασιλέα Ἐδὼμ, λέγων, παρελεύσομαι δὴ ἐν τῇ γῇ σου· καὶ οὐκ ἤκουσε βασιλεὺς Ἐδώμ· καί γε πρὸς βασιλέα Μωὰβ ἀπέστειλε, καὶ οὐκ εὐδόκησε· καὶ ἐκάθισεν Ἰσραὴλ ἐν Κάδης,

KJVThen Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

JPSthen Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying: Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land; but the king of Edom hearkened not. And in like manner he sent unto the king of Moab; but he would not; and Israel abode in Kadesh.

Thomsonfor Arnon was the boundary of Moab.

BrentonAnd they journeyed in the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab: and they came by the east of the land of Moab, and encamped in the country beyond Arnon, and came not within the borders of Moab, for Arnon is the border of Moab.

Greekκαὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ ἐκύκλωσε τὴν γῆν Ἐδὼμ καὶ τὴν γῆν Μωάβ· καὶ ἦλθεν ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου τῇ γῇ Μωὰβ, καὶ παρενέβαλεν ἐν πέραν Ἀρνὼν, καὶ οὐκ εἰσῆλθεν ἐν ὁρίοις Μωὰβ, ὅτι Ἀρνὼν ὅριον Μωάβ.

KJVThen they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

JPSThen he walked through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they pitched on the other side of the Arnon; but they came not within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

ThomsonThen Israel sent messengers to Seon, king of the Amorites—the king of Esebon, and said to him, Let us we pray thee pass through thy land to our place; but Seon would not trust Israel to pass through along his border, but assembled all his people, and encamped at Jasa, and came to an engagement with Israel.

BrentonAnd Israel sent messengers to Seon king of the Amorite, king of Esebon, and Israel said to him, Let us pass, we pray thee, by thy land to our place.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰσραὴλ ἀγγέλους πρὸς Σηὼν βασιλέα τοῦ Ἀμοῤῥαίου βασιλέα Ἐσεβῶν, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἰσραήλ, παρέλθωμεν δὴ ἐν τῇ γῇ σου ἕως τοῦ τόπου ἡμῶν.

KJVAnd Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place.

JPSAnd Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him: Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land unto my place.

ThomsonAnd the Lord God of Israel delivered into the hands of Israel, Seon and all his people, and they smote him.

BrentonAnd Seon did not trust Israel to pass by his coast; and Seon gathered all his people, and they encamped at Jasa; and he set the battle in array against Israel.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἐνεπίστευσε Σηὼν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ παρελθεῖν ἐν τῷ ὁρίῳ αὐτοῦ· καὶ συνῆξε Σηὼν πάντα τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ παρενέβαλον εἰς Ἰασὰ, καὶ παρετάξατο πρὸς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVBut Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

JPSBut Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

ThomsonSo Israel took possession of all the land of the Amorites, who inhabited the country

BrentonAnd the Lord God of Israel delivered Seon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote him; and Israel inherited all the land of the Amorite who dwelt in that land,

GreekΚαὶ παρέδωκε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ τὸν Σηὼν καὶ πάντα τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν χειρὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτόν· καὶ ἐκληρονόμησεν Ἰσραὴλ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν τοῦ Ἀμοῤῥαίου τοῦ κατοικοῦντος τὴν γῆν ἐκείνην

KJVAnd the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.

JPSAnd the LORD, the God of Israel, delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them; so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.

Thomsonfrom Arnon to Jabok and from the wilderness to the Jordan. Now therefore hath the Lord God of Israel removed the Amorites from before His people, and art thou to possess them?

Brentonfrom Arnon and to Jaboc, and from the wilderness to Jordan.

Greekἀπὸ Ἀρνὼν καὶ ἕως τοῦ Ἰαβὸκ, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἐρήμου ἕως τοῦ Ἰορδάνου.

KJVAnd they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.

JPSAnd they possessed all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon even unto the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto the Jordan.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd now the Lord God of Israel has removed the Amorite from before his people Israel, and shalt thou inherit his land?

GreekΚαὶ νῦν Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ ἐξῇρε τὸν Ἀμοῤῥαῖον ἀπὸ προσώπου λαοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ σὺ κληρονομήσεις αὐτόν;

KJVSo now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?

JPSSo now the LORD, the God of Israel, hath dispossessed the Amorites from before His people Israel, and shouldest thou possess them?

ThomsonIf thy god Chamos were to put thee in possession of any places, wouldst thou not possess them? And shall not we succeed all those whom the Lord our God hath removed from before us?

BrentonWilt thou not inherit those possessions which Chamos thy god shall cause thee to inherit; and shall not we inherit the land of all those whom the Lord our God has removed from before you?

GreekΟὐχὶ ἃ ἐὰν κληρονομήσει σε Χαμὼς ὁ θεὸς σοῦ, αὐτὰ κληρονομήσεις, καὶ τοὺς πάντας οὓς ἐξῇρε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν ἀπὸ προσώπου ἡμῶν, αὐτοὺς κληρονομήσομεν;

KJVWilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.

JPSWilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God hath dispossessed from before us, them will we possess.

ThomsonBesides, art thou in any respect better than Balak, son of Sepphor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel, or go to war with them about this,

BrentonAnd now art thou any better than Balac son of Sepphor, king of Moab? Did he indeed fight with Israel, or indeed make war with him,

GreekΚαὶ νῦν μὴ ἐν ἀγαθῷ ἀγαθώτερος σὺ ὑπὲρ Βαλὰκ υἱὸν Σεπφὼρ βασιλέως Μωάβ; μὴ μαχόμενος ἐμαχέσατο μετὰ Ἰσραὴλ, ἢ πολεμῶν ἐπολέμησεν αὐτὸν,

KJVAnd now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,

JPSAnd now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?

Thomsonall the while they lived in Esebon, and the borders thereof, and in the land of Aroer, and the borders thereof, and in all the cities along the Jordan, for three hundred years? Why didst thou not in all this time recover them?

Brentonwhen Israel dwelt in Esebon and in its coasts, and in the land of Aroer and in its coasts, and in all the cities by Jordan, three hundred years? and wherefore didst thou not recover them in that time?

Greekἐν τῷ οἰκῆσαι ἐν Ἐσεβὼν καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐν γῇ Ἀροὴρ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐν πάσαις ταῖς πόλεσι ταῖς παρὰ τὸν Ἰορδάνην, τριακόσια ἔτη; καὶ διατί οὐκ ἐῤῥύσω αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ;

KJVWhile Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?

JPSWhile Israel dwelt in Heshbon and its towns, and in Aroer and its towns, and in all the cities that are along by the side of the Arnon, three hundred years; wherefore did ye not recover them within that time?

ThomsonNow therefore I call God to witness, that I have not sinned against thee, and that thou dealest wrongfully in going to war with me. Let the Lord, who is Judge, judge this day between Israel and the Ammonites.

BrentonAnd now I have not sinned against thee, but thou wrongest me in preparing war against me: may the Lord the Judge judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἐγώ εἰμι οὐχ ἥμαρτόν σοι, καὶ σὺ ποιεῖς μετʼ ἐμοῦ πονηρίαν τοῦ παρατάξασθαι ἐν ἐμοί· κρίναι Κύριος ὁ κρίνων σήμερον ἀναμέσον υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ καὶ ἀναμέσον υἱῶν Ἀμμών.

KJVWherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

JPSI therefore have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me; the LORD, the Judge, be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.’

ThomsonAnd when the king of the Ammonites hearkened not to the message which Jephthae sent him,

BrentonBut the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not to the words of Jephthae, which he sent to him.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἤκουσε βασιλεὺς υἱῶν Ἀμμὼν τῶν λόγων Ἰεφθάε, ὧν ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτόν.

KJVHowbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

JPSHowbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

Thomsonthe Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthae, and he marched through Galaad, and Manasses, and passed the watch tower of Galaad, into the border of the children of Ammon.

BrentonAnd the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthae, and he passed over Galaad, and Manasse, and passed by the watch-tower of Galaad to the other side of the children of Ammon.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ Ἰεφθάε πνεῦμα Κυρίου, καὶ παρῆλθε τὸν Γαλαὰδ, καὶ τὸν Μανασσῆ, καὶ παρῆλθε τὴν σκοπιὰν Γαλαὰδ εἰς τὸ πέραν υἱῶν Ἀμμών.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen 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.

ThomsonAnd Jephthae vowed a vow to the Lord, and said, If thou deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,

BrentonAnd Jephthae vowed a vow to the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,

GreekΚαὶ ηὔξατο Ἰεφθάε εὐχὴν τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἐὰν διδοὺς δῷς μοι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἁμμὼν ἐν τῆ χειρί μου,

KJVAnd Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

JPSAnd Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said: ‘If Thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,

Thomsonit shall be, that whosoever cometh from the door of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall be for the Lord. Him will I dedicate as a whole burnt offering.

Brentonthen it shall come to pass that whosoever shall first come out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, he shall be the Lord's: I will offer him up for a whole-burnt-offering.

Greekκαὶ ἔσται ὁ ἐκπορευόμενος ὃς ἂν ἐξέλθῃ ἀπὸ τῆς θύρας τοῦ οἴκου μου εἰς συνάντησίν μου ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέφειν με ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ἀμμὼν, καὶ ἔσται τῷ Κυρίῳ, ἀνοίσω αὐτὸν ὁλοκαύτωμα.

KJVThen it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

JPSthen it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering.’

ThomsonAnd when Jephthae passed on to come to battle with the children of Ammon, the Lord delivered them into his hand,

BrentonAnd Jephthae advanced to meet the sons of Ammon to fight against them; and the Lord delivered them into his hand.

GreekΚαὶ παρῆλθεν Ἰεφθάε πρὸς υἱοὺς Ἀμμὼν παρατάξασθαι πρὸς αὐτούς· καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ.

KJVSo Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.

JPSSo Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hand.

Thomsonand he smote them from Aroer all the way to Arnon, through the number of twenty cities, and even to Ebelcharmin, with a prodigious slaughter. And when the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel,

BrentonAnd he smote them from Aroer till one comes to Arnon, in number twenty cities, and as far as Ebelcharmim, with a very great destruction: and the children of Ammon were straitened before the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ Ἀροὴρ ἕως ἐλθεῖν ἄχρις Ἀρνὼν ἐν ἀριθμῷ εἴκοσι πόλεις, καὶ ἕως Ἐβελχαρμὶμ, πληγὴν μεγάλην σφόδρα· καὶ συνεστάλησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν ἀπὸ προσώπου υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

JPSAnd he smote them from Aroer until thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto Abel-cheramim, with a very great slaughter. So the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

Thomsonand Jephthae came to Massepha, to his house, behold his daughter came out to meet him, with timbrels and choirs. Now she was his only child. Besides her, he had neither son nor daughter.

BrentonAnd Jephthae came to Massepha to his house; and behold, his daughter came forth to meet him with timbrels and dances; and she was his only child, he had not another son or daughter.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν Ἰεφθάε εἰς Μασσηφὰ εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτοῦ ἐξεπορεύετο εἰς ὑπάντησιν ἐν τυμπάνοις καὶ χοροῖς· καὶ αὕτη ἦν μονογενὴς αὐτῷ· οὐκ ἦν αὐτῷ ἕτερος υἱὸς ἢ θυγάτηρ.

KJVAnd Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

JPSAnd Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances; and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

ThomsonAnd when he saw her he rent his clothes, and said, Alas! Alas! my daughter! Thou hast indeed troubled me; and thou thyself mayst be in trouble with me, for I have opened my mouth to the Lord against thee, and I cannot go back.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when he saw her, that he rent his garments, and said, Ah, ah, my daughter, thou hast indeed troubled me, and thou wast the cause of my trouble; and I have opened my mouth against thee to the Lord, and I shall not be able to return from it.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς εἶδεν αὐτὴν αὐτός, διέῤῥηξε τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἆ ἆ, θυγάτηρ μου, ταραχῇ ἐτάραξάς με, καὶ σὺ ἦς ἐν τῷ ταράχῳ μου, καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἤνοιξα κατὰ σοῦ τὸ στόμα μου πρὸς Κύριον, καὶ οὐ δυνήσομαι ἀποστρέψαι.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said: ‘Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art become my troubler; for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.’

ThomsonUpon which she said to him, Hast thou, my father, opened thy mouth to the Lord? Do to me according to what hath proceeded out of thy mouth, since the Lord hath executed vengeance for thee on thine enemies—on the children of Ammon.

BrentonAnd she said to him, Father, hast thou opened thy mouth to the Lord? Do to me accordingly as the word went out of thy mouth, in that the Lord has wrought vengeance for thee on thine enemies of the children of Ammon.

GreekἩ δὲ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, πάτερ, ἤνοιξας τὸ στόμα σου πρὸς Κύριον; ποίησόν μοι ὃν τρόπον ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ στόματός σου, ἐν τῷ ποιῆσαί σοι Κύριον ἐκδίκησιν τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν Ἀμμών.

KJVAnd she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.

JPSAnd she said unto him: ‘My father, thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD; do unto me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.’

ThomsonThen she said to her father, Grant me; my father, I pray thee, this favour. Let me alone two months, and I will go up and down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity—I call God to witness, with only my female attendants.

BrentonAnd she said to her father, Let my father now do this thing: let me alone for two months, and I will go up and down on the mountains, and I will bewail my virginity, I and my companions.

GreekΚαὶ ἥδε εἶπε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτῆς, ποιησάτω δὴ ὁ πατήρ μου τὸν λόγον τοῦτον· ἔασόν με δύο μῆνας, καὶ πορεύσομαι καὶ καταβήσομαι ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη, καὶ κλαύσομαι ἐπὶ τὰ παρθένιά μου ἐγώ εἰμι καὶ αἱ συνεταιρίδες μου.

KJVAnd she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.

JPSAnd she said unto her father: ‘Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may depart and go down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions.’

ThomsonAnd he said, Go. So he sent her away two months, and she went with her female attendants, and bewailed her virgin state on the mountains.

BrentonAnd he said, Go: and he sent her away for two months; and she went, and her companions, and she bewailed her virginity on the mountains.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε, πορεύου· καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτὴν δύο μῆνας· καὶ ἐπορεύθη αὐτὴ καὶ αἱ συνεταιρίδες αὐτῆς, καὶ ἔκλαυσεν ἐπὶ τὰ παρθένια αὐτῆς ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη.

KJVAnd he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.

JPSAnd he said: ‘Go.’ And he sent her away for two months; and she departed, she and her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.

ThomsonAnd at the end of two months she returned to her father and he performed with her his vow, which he had vowed; so she knew not a man. And it was a custom in Israel,

BrentonAnd it came to pass at the end of the two months that she returned to her father; and he performed upon her his vow which he vowed; and she knew no man:

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τέλει τῶν δύο μηνῶν, καὶ ἐπέστρεψε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτῆς· καὶ ἐποίησεν ἐν αὐτῇ τὴν εὐχὴν αὐτοῦ ἣν ηὔξατο· καὶ αὕτη οὐκ ἔγνω ἄνδρα· καὶ ἐγένετο εἰς πρόσταγμα ἐν Ἰσραήλ·

KJVAnd it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,

JPSAnd it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed; and she had not known man. And it was a custom in Israel,

Thomsonfrom year to year, for the daughters of Israel to go and bewail the daughter of Jephthae, the Galaadite, four days in the year.

Brentonand it was an ordinance in Israel, That the daughters of Israel went from year to year to bewail the daughter of Jephthae the Galaadite for four days in a year.

GreekἈπὸ ἡμερῶν εἰς ἡμέρας ἐπορεύοντο θυγατέρες Ἰσραὴλ θρηνεῖν τὴν θυγατέρα Ἰεφθάε τοῦ Γαλααδίτου ἐπὶ τέσσαρας ἡμέρας ἐν τῷ ἐνιαυτῷ.

KJVThat the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.

JPSthat the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.