Judges 11:14 kjv
And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:
Judges 11:14 nkjv
So Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon,
Judges 11:14 niv
Jephthah sent back messengers to the Ammonite king,
Judges 11:14 esv
Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites
Judges 11:14 nlt
Jephthah sent this message back to the Ammonite king:
Judges 11 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 19:38 | "The younger also bore a son, and she called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites..." | Origin of Ammonites |
| Gen 32:3 | "Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir..." | Sending messengers for diplomacy |
| Num 20:14 | "Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom..." | Moses' diplomatic efforts before war |
| Num 21:21-24 | "Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites... but Sihon did not permit Israel to pass..." | Historical context of land dispute |
| Deut 1:8 | "See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore..." | God's gift of the land to Israel |
| Deut 2:26-29 | "So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon the king of Heshbon, with words of peace..." | Diplomacy prior to engaging in conflict |
| Deut 20:10-12 | "When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it." | Law for offering peace before siege |
| Josh 1:6 | "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land..." | Affirmation of land inheritance |
| 1 Sam 11:1-2 | "Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh-Gilead..." | Ongoing Ammonite aggression |
| 2 Sam 10:2 | "And David said, 'I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me'..." | Diplomacy between David and Ammon |
| Neh 4:7-8 | "When Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard..." | Ammonite opposition during Nehemiah's time |
| Ps 83:7 | "Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre..." | Listing of nations hostile to Israel |
| Jer 49:1-2 | "Concerning the Ammonites. Thus says the Lord: Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir?" | Prophecy against Ammon |
| Ezek 25:2-5 | "Son of man, set your face toward the Ammonites, and prophesy against them." | Judgment against Ammon for taunting Israel |
| Amos 1:13-15 | "Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment..." | Divine condemnation of Ammon |
| Matt 5:9 | "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." | Principle of seeking peace |
| Rom 12:18 | "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." | Command to live in peace |
| 2 Cor 5:20 | "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." | Role of messengers/ambassadors |
| Prov 15:1 | "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." | Wisdom in communication |
| Luke 14:31-32 | "Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate..." | Prudence in assessing military conflict |
Judges 11 verses
Judges 11 14 Meaning
Judges 11:14 indicates Jephthah's persistent and formal attempt at diplomatic communication with the Ammonite king. After receiving an initial aggressive demand from the Ammonite king, Jephthah does not immediately resort to war but rather initiates a second round of negotiation, sending his messengers back to deliver a comprehensive counter-argument regarding the disputed land. This verse marks the beginning of Jephthah's detailed legal and theological rebuttal.
Judges 11 14 Context
This verse is embedded in the narrative of Jephthah's leadership as a judge of Israel, specifically his diplomatic engagement with the king of the Ammonites. Chapter 11 opens by introducing Jephthah as a rejected son of Gilead who is eventually sought out by the elders to lead them against the Ammonite oppression. Jephthah agrees to lead them, provided he remains their head after the victory.
The verse directly follows the initial exchange where the Ammonite king accused Israel of taking their land upon coming out of Egypt. This second dispatch of messengers by Jephthah is crucial as it demonstrates his strategic patience and a methodical approach. Instead of immediate military retaliation to the Ammonite's aggressive claim, Jephthah engages in a detailed historical and theological argument, found in Judges 11:15-27, asserting Israel's rightful claim to the land based on divine grant and historical events (defeating Sihon, king of the Amorites, not Ammon). Jephthah’s actions align with the biblical principle of pursuing peace where possible before resorting to conflict. This specific moment highlights Jephthah’s wisdom and commitment to due process before taking up arms, setting the stage for his subsequent, extensive rebuttal. Historically, border disputes were common among ancient Near Eastern states, and diplomatic exchanges often preceded military campaigns.
Judges 11 14 Word analysis
So: (Hebrew: וַיָּשֶׁב - va-yya'shev) – This conjunction links the action to the preceding events, showing Jephthah's response to the Ammonite king's initial message. It indicates a consequential and deliberate action on Jephthah's part.
Jephthah: (Hebrew: יִפְתָּח - Yiftaḥ) – The judge chosen by Israel to deliver them from the Ammonites. His name means "He opens" or "He will open," foreshadowing his role in opening the way to deliverance for Israel against their oppressors. He is presented here as a figure of authority and diplomatic resolve.
again: (Hebrew: עוֹד - ʿod) – This adverb is highly significant. It emphasizes Jephthah's persistence and unwillingness to give up on diplomacy after the initial exchange. It signifies a renewed effort, indicating his methodical and thoughtful approach to the conflict rather than immediate escalation to violence. It demonstrates a desire to thoroughly exhaust all peaceful means before engaging in war, echoing principles seen elsewhere in the Torah regarding warfare.
sent: (Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁלַח - vayyishlaḥ) – From the verb שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send," "to dispatch," or "to stretch out." This verb signifies an intentional act of commissioning and delegation. It implies authority and purpose in the communication.
messengers: (Hebrew: מַלְאָכִים - malʾakhim) – Plural of מַלְאָךְ (malʾakh), meaning "messenger" or "angel." The same word is used for divine and human envoys, underscoring the formal and authoritative nature of Jephthah's delegation. These were official representatives conveying an important, often life-or-death, message on behalf of their leader.
to the king: (Hebrew: אֶל־מֶלֶךְ - ʾel-melekh) – Direct address to the highest authority of the Ammonites. This confirms the communication is between sovereign powers and highlights the seriousness of the dispute at a national level.
of the Ammonites: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן - bənê ʿammôn) – Literally "sons of Ammon." This refers to the entire nation descended from Ben-Ammi, Lot's son (Gen 19:38). It identifies the opposing party and the collective identity of the people making the territorial claim.
Words-group analysis:
- "Jephthah again sent messengers": This phrase highlights Jephthah's strategic patience and firm resolve. It signifies his adherence to proper protocol for international relations in the ancient Near East, choosing continued diplomatic engagement even after an initial unsatisfactory response, rather than immediate military action. His persistent use of messengers demonstrates his effort to build a solid legal and historical case before resorting to arms.
- "to the king of the Ammonites": This confirms the communication is a formal, interstate affair, conducted at the highest level of authority. It underscores the severity of the conflict and Jephthah's direct confrontation of the opposing nation's leadership and their unfounded claims.
Judges 11 14 Bonus section
The repeated act of sending messengers (first they went to inquire, now they are sent back) can be seen as Jephthah adhering to what could be considered ancient Near Eastern diplomatic customs or even prefiguring biblical laws related to siege warfare (Deut 20:10-12) which encourage offering peace before hostilities. His careful and deliberative approach here stands in stark contrast to his later impulsive vow, revealing the complexities of his character and leadership. This moment shows Jephthah acting as a capable arbiter and spokesperson for Israel’s divine right to the land.
Judges 11 14 Commentary
Judges 11:14 presents Jephthah not merely as a military leader but as a prudent and persistent diplomat. His decision to send messengers again underscores a key biblical principle: seeking peace and exhausting all diplomatic avenues before resorting to conflict. This methodical approach reflects wisdom and an understanding that war should be a last resort. Jephthah’s action here prepares the way for his detailed, well-reasoned historical and theological argument (Judges 11:15-27), demonstrating his strategic intellect and firm grasp of Israelite history concerning their divinely-given land. This phase of negotiation showcases Jephthah's responsible leadership in facing an aggressor, striving for resolution through dialogue before battle.