Judges 11 29

Judges 11:29 kjv

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.

Judges 11:29 nkjv

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead; and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon.

Judges 11:29 niv

Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.

Judges 11:29 esv

Then the Spirit of the LORD was upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh and passed on to Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed on to the Ammonites.

Judges 11:29 nlt

At that time the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites.

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 29 Meaning

Judges 11:29 details the divine empowerment of Jephthah for his role as deliverer against the Ammonites. It signifies that his ensuing military campaign and success were not born of his own strength, wit, or social standing, but directly from the active presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This anointing gave him the necessary authority, courage, and strategic acumen to gather the people and lead them across various territories in preparation for conflict.

Judges 11 29 Context

Judges 11 is set in a period of severe oppression of Israel by the Ammonites, lasting eighteen years (Judg 10:8). Due to their apostasy and idolatry (Judg 10:6), God had previously allowed their enemies to dominate them. When Israel finally cried out to the Lord in repentance, He promised deliverance. However, the search for a leader was challenging. Jephthah, though the son of a prostitute and rejected by his half-brothers, was known for his military prowess (Judg 11:1-3). The elders of Gilead, in their desperation, sought him out and made him their head and commander, under specific conditions (Judg 11:4-11). After failed diplomatic negotiations with the Ammonites (Judg 11:12-28) concerning the disputed land, the narrative then pivots to the divine intervention described in verse 29, demonstrating God's endorsement of Jephthah despite his flawed background and the rash vow he would later make. The context highlights that despite Jephthah's personal history, God chose to empower him as an instrument for His people's salvation, underscoring that deliverance ultimately comes from God.

Judges 11 29 Word analysis

• Then: Hebrew Wayehi (וַיְהִי), meaning "And it was" or "And it came to pass." This is a common Hebrew transitional phrase, linking the previous failed negotiations and the divine decision to deliver Israel with the subsequent divine action and Jephthah's movement. It emphasizes a pivotal moment.
• the Spirit of the LORD: Hebrew Ruach Yahweh (רוּחַ יְהוָה).
  • Ruach can mean "wind," "breath," or "spirit." In this context, it unequivocally refers to the divine animating and empowering presence of God.
  • Yahweh (LORD, capitalized in most English translations) is the personal covenant name of God. This signifies that the Spirit empowering Jephthah is none other than the Spirit of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel.
  • This phrase indicates a supernatural anointing, distinguishing Jephthah's strength and leadership from mere human capability or ambition. It is a divine endowment for a specific purpose.
  • Theologically, this concept stands in stark contrast to contemporary pagan beliefs where gods were often fickle, vengeful, or confined to specific territories. Yahweh's Spirit demonstrates His active, moral intervention in history and His people's affairs, empowering a chosen agent regardless of their social standing, for His will. It implicitly refutes the efficacy of Ammonite gods like Moloch (Milcom) who could offer no such empowerment.
• came upon: Hebrew hayetah al (הָיְתָה עַל). This denotes a specific, active, and effective resting or coming of the Spirit upon someone. It implies an overwhelming presence and power that supernaturally equips the individual. It's not merely a mental impression but an objective, divine enablement. This direct anointing sets Jephthah apart.
• Jephthah: Hebrew Yiftach (יִפְתָּח). His name means "He opens" or "He will open (i.e., deliverance)." Ironically, given his later vow, it could also imply "he opens [his mouth rashly]." However, in this context, it aligns with his role as a deliverer, as one who opens the way to victory. Despite his ignominious birth and outcast status, God chooses and empowers him, emphasizing divine prerogative over human qualifications.
• and he passed through: Hebrew wayya'avor (וַיַּעֲבֹר). Indicates movement, journey, progression. It highlights his active response to the divine empowerment. He didn't just receive the Spirit; he acted on it immediately by leading his forces.
• Gilead and Manasseh: Specific regions of Israel's Transjordan territory, east of the Jordan River.
  • Gilead (Gil'ad גִּלְעָד) was Jephthah's home region and the immediate target of Ammonite aggression.
  • Manasseh (M'nasheh מְנַשֶּׁה) here likely refers to the portion of Manasseh east of the Jordan.
  • His movement through these regions signifies a mobilization, gathering support and forces from the northern tribes on the east side of the Jordan, who were under threat. It demonstrates strategic leadership.
• he crossed over to Mizpah of Gilead: Hebrew waYa'avor Mitzpah Gil'ad (וַיַּעֲבֹר מִצְפֵּה גִלְעָד). Mizpah means "watchtower."
  • Mizpah of Gilead was a significant location, perhaps a strategic rallying point or military headquarters for the Gileadites (Judg 10:17).
  • The crossing over implies traversing difficult terrain to consolidate forces.
• and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced against: Hebrew u'miMitzpah Gil'ad hayah ol (וּמִמִּצְפֵּה גִלְעָד הָיָה אֶל). The phrase "was to/against" implies direct confrontation or movement toward a conflict. Mizpah became his base from which he launched the offensive.
• the Ammonites: Hebrew Benei Ammon (בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן) or "children of Ammon." A constant enemy of Israel, descended from Lot (Gen 19:38). They occupied the land east of the Jordan, had oppressed Israel, and sought to expand their territory. This phrase signifies the clear enemy that God was enabling Jephthah to confront.

Judges 11 29 Bonus section

The empowerment of Jephthah by the Spirit of the LORD mirrors similar experiences of other judges like Othniel (Judg 3:10), Gideon (Judg 6:34), and Samson (Judg 13:25, 14:6, 14:19, 15:14). This consistent divine pattern underscores that human effort alone was insufficient to deliver Israel. God explicitly and tangibly intervened. Furthermore, Jephthah's calling, despite his background, aligns with God's broader tendency to use those whom society might overlook or disqualify, such as Moses (with speech impediment), David (youngest shepherd boy), or the fishermen disciples of Jesus. This divine choice highlights God's grace and His ability to accomplish His purposes through unexpected instruments, demonstrating that divine effectiveness is not contingent upon human merit or social status. This provides a theological framework that predates Saul's kingship where the Spirit's anointing similarly confirmed leadership. The geographic details are important: Jephthah's initial movement through Gilead and Manasseh was crucial for gathering support from those affected by Ammonite oppression, establishing a unified front under divine guidance before facing the enemy. Mizpah serving as a base indicates a strategic assembly point.

Judges 11 29 Commentary

Judges 11:29 marks the crucial turning point in Jephthah's narrative and in Israel's deliverance from the Ammonites. Following a period of negotiation that demonstrated Jephthah's diplomatic attempt to avoid bloodshed and clarify Israel's ancient claim to the land, this verse illustrates God's direct intervention. The phrase "the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah" is central, signifying divine enablement. This divine empowering agent is precisely what transformed Jephthah from a skilled warrior and social outcast into God's appointed deliverer. It was not his reputation, his past victories, or the desperation of the elders that granted him ultimate success, but the direct anointing of Yahweh. This Spirit empowered him not merely with fighting strength but also with the strategic capability to rally the scattered tribes and move with military precision through the affected regions of Gilead and Manasseh, setting the stage for direct confrontation with the Ammonites. The verse reinforces the pattern seen throughout Judges: when Israel cries out, God raises a deliverer, empowering them through His Spirit, emphasizing His sovereign power in saving His people. It implicitly condemns the false gods of the Ammonites by showcasing the true God's dynamic power through His chosen vessel.