Judges 11 10

Judges 11:10 kjv

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

Judges 11:10 nkjv

And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD will be a witness between us, if we do not do according to your words."

Judges 11:10 niv

The elders of Gilead replied, "The LORD is our witness; we will certainly do as you say."

Judges 11:10 esv

And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD will be witness between us, if we do not do as you say."

Judges 11:10 nlt

"The LORD is our witness," the elders replied. "We promise to do whatever you say."

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 10 Meaning

This verse records the solemn agreement of the elders of Gilead with Jephthah, binding themselves with an oath. They explicitly invoke the Lord (Yahweh) as a witness to their covenant, pledging to abide by Jephthah's conditions, specifically his leadership if he successfully delivered them from the Ammonites. This transforms a verbal promise into a sacred, divinely witnessed covenant, underscoring the gravity of their desperation and their complete submission to Jephthah's terms.

Judges 11 10 Context

Judges chapter 11 opens with the dire circumstances of Jephthah. Born as the son of a prostitute, he was driven away by his half-brothers, finding refuge in the land of Tob and leading a band of "worthless fellows" (Judges 11:3). Gilead, the region east of the Jordan, faces a severe threat from the Ammonites (Judges 11:4-5), who claim the Gileadite territory as their own. In their desperation, the elders of Gilead, who had earlier cast Jephthah out, come to him for military leadership (Judges 11:6). Jephthah confronts them, reminding them of their prior rejection (Judges 11:7). The elders admit their plight and promise him the position of "head over all who dwell in Gilead" (Judges 11:8) and "chief of all who dwell in Gilead" (Judges 11:9) if he leads them to victory. Verse 10 is the elders' response to Jephthah's strategic negotiation, wherein they unequivocally accept his terms and solemnly ratify their promise by invoking the Lord as their witness. This covenant formalizes Jephthah's anointment as a leader, shifting his status from outcast to commander.

Judges 11 10 Word analysis

• And the elders: In Hebrew, וזקני (ve-ziknei). "Elders" (זקנים, zekanim) held significant leadership and judicial authority in ancient Israelite society. They were representative heads of clans and tribes, responsible for local governance, administering justice, and safeguarding traditions. Their coming to Jephthah, whom they had previously rejected (Judges 11:7), highlights their extreme desperation and their acknowledgment that only Jephthah possessed the necessary military acumen or divine favor to deliver them from the Ammonite threat. Their actions reflect the collapse of internal leadership in Gilead and their urgent need for a rescuer.
• of Gilead: In Hebrew, הגלעד (ha-Gil'ad). Gilead was a strategic region east of the Jordan River, settled by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. It was known for its fertility but was also a frequent target of eastern neighbors like the Ammonites and Arameans, making it a vulnerable frontier. The mention of Gilead specifies the local nature of this tribal leadership and the severity of the crisis in that particular area.
• said to Jephthah: This marks a formal and significant interaction. The outcast is now the desired deliverer, dictating terms to the established authorities who once expelled him.
• "The Lord is witness": In Hebrew, יהוה עד (Yahweh `ed).
  • "The Lord" (יהוה, Yahweh): This is the sacred personal name of the covenant God of Israel. Invoking Yahweh, rather than a generic deity, transforms the promise from a mere human agreement into a solemn, divinely binding covenant. It signifies the ultimate divine authority sanctioning the agreement.
  • "witness" (עד, `ed): A witness, in biblical understanding, is more than an observer. They confirm the existence and validity of an event or agreement and are often implicitly called upon to enforce or vindicate. When God is invoked as a witness, it implies divine oversight, a commitment on God's part to hold the parties accountable to their oath. This resonates with ancient Near Eastern treaty forms where deities were invoked as witnesses to binding covenants. It elevates the covenant's seriousness, making its violation an offense against God Himself.
• "between us;": In Hebrew, בינותינו (beinoteinu). This indicates the bilateral nature of the oath—it binds both the elders and Jephthah. It means God is the impartial observer who guarantees the agreement made between the two parties, ensuring both uphold their part.
• "certainly we will do": In Hebrew, אם לא כן נעשה (Im lo-ken na`aseh). The construction אם לא (Im lo), literally "if not," introduces a strong affirmation, meaning "surely" or "indeed." This makes their promise emphatic and unwavering. It is a sworn commitment to act. They are not merely agreeing, but swearing before God.
• "as you say.": In Hebrew, כדבריך (k’divareikha). This confirms their full acceptance of Jephthah's terms as stated in the preceding verses, specifically that if he leads them to victory, he would become their undisputed "head" and "chief." It reflects their total submission to his demands in light of their dire need.

Words-group analysis

• "The Lord is witness between us;": This phrase is a powerful oath formula. It establishes the spiritual and ethical framework for the agreement, signifying that their promise is not merely a political maneuver but a sacred covenant under divine observation. Breaking this oath would therefore incur divine judgment, reflecting Israel's deep-seated understanding of God's role in human affairs and His covenant faithfulness. This concept of divine witnessing echoes the "Mizpah" idea (Gen 31:49) and underscores the high stakes of such a pledge in ancient Israel.
• "The elders of Gilead...certainly we will do as you say.": This entire clause demonstrates a pivotal moment of human desperation leading to humble acknowledgment. The leaders who once scorned and ostracized Jephthah are now submitting to his terms, backed by a divine oath. This reversal illustrates the societal chaos of the Judges period, where survival often trumped social standing and past grievances, compelling people to turn to unlikely saviors. It sets the stage for Jephthah's unlikely but divinely recognized (through their oath and later God's Spirit) leadership.

Judges 11 10 Bonus section

• The Echo of Mizpah: While the explicit term "Mizpah" is not used, the phrase "The Lord is witness between us" directly carries the same theological weight as the "Mizpah covenant" between Jacob and Laban in Gen 31:49. This demonstrates a recurring theme in the Bible: agreements of deep consequence, particularly between potentially adversarial parties, are often sealed by invoking divine oversight, reminding them that God "watches" the integrity of their commitment. This emphasizes that Yahweh is not just a passive observer but an active guardian of sworn covenants.
• Divine vs. Human Selection: Jephthah's appointment initially comes from human desperation and negotiation (the elders). However, their formalizing it by calling Yahweh as witness imbues it with a pseudo-divine sanction. This is later validated by "the Spirit of the Lord [coming] upon Jephthah" (Judges 11:29), illustrating that even human choices in leadership, especially in dire circumstances, can align with or be confirmed by God's providence and empowerment. The people's recognition precedes God's empowering, similar to how Israel requested a king and God provided Saul.
• A Binding Covenant with Grave Implications: The oath is deeply significant as it ties the Gileadite community, through its elders, directly to Jephthah's leadership under God's watchful eye. This sets the stage for all subsequent events, including Jephthah's contentious negotiation with the Ammonites and, ultimately, his personal vow, all operating under the umbrella of a divine witness to his actions and promises. Breaking such an oath had significant repercussions in ancient Israel (e.g., Josh 9 regarding the Gibeonites).

Judges 11 10 Commentary

Judges 11:10 marks the official investiture of Jephthah, not by formal religious ceremony initially, but by a solemn covenant between the people's representatives (the elders of Gilead) and Jephthah himself. The invocation of "the Lord as witness" transforms their agreement into a divinely observed covenant, highlighting its binding and sacred nature. This solemn oath served as a public ratification of Jephthah's leadership, legitimizing his command after he was initially scorned. The elders' desperation compelled them to seek help from the very man they had once cast out, underscoring the severity of the Ammonite threat. Their promise to do "as you say" reflects a complete capitulation to his terms, demonstrating their utter reliance on him for deliverance. This act showcases the weight of vows made before God in Israelite society and foreshadows Jephthah's own tragic, yet earnest, vow later in the chapter.

• Practical application examples:
  • The weight of one's word: Even in difficult circumstances, a promise made, especially one invoking God, holds immense weight and must be kept.
  • Seeking help from unexpected places: Sometimes deliverance comes through those we have previously rejected or overlooked.
  • The importance of integrity: Promises, once made, are sacred and require diligent fulfillment.