Judges 11 5

Judges 11:5 kjv

And 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:

Judges 11:5 nkjv

And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

Judges 11:5 niv

the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

Judges 11:5 esv

And when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob.

Judges 11:5 nlt

When the Ammonites attacked, the elders of Gilead sent for Jephthah in the land of Tob.

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 5 Meaning

Judges 11:5 describes the immediate and dire circumstances that compelled the tribal leaders of Gilead to seek out Jephthah. With the Ammonites waging a formidable war against Israel, specifically threatening the Transjordanian tribes, the elders recognized the urgent need for a strong military leader. Their desperate act of sending representatives to "fetch" Jephthah from his place of exile in the land of Tob signifies the severity of the crisis and their recognition, albeit late, of his leadership potential, despite his prior rejection.

Judges 11 5 Context

Judges 11:5 occurs in the narrative of Jephthah, one of the later judges in Israel. The preceding chapters (Judges 10) detail Israel's persistent idolatry and subsequent oppression, particularly by the Philistines and Ammonites. Specifically, Judges 10:7-9 highlights the severe Ammonite oppression of the Transjordanian tribes (Gilead) for eighteen years. Following Israel's cry for help and a degree of repentance (Judges 10:10-16), the people of Gilead gather, recognizing their desperate need for a deliverer against the imminent Ammonite threat (Judges 10:17-18). However, they lack a leader. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic return of Jephthah, an outcast, whose backstory is provided in Judges 11:1-3: he was a mighty warrior but the illegitimate son of Gilead, cast out by his half-brothers. His banishment led him to the land of Tob, where he gathered a band of "worthless fellows" (Judges 11:3). Thus, Judges 11:5 portrays the specific action of the desperate Gileadites who, having exhausted other options, turn to the very man they had previously rejected, demonstrating the severity of their national crisis and the irony of Jephthah's eventual call.

Judges 11 5 Word analysis

• And it was so (וַיְהִי): This phrase serves as a narrative connector, indicating a progression of events and often implies a divine ordination or unfolding of circumstances. It marks the commencement of a significant development.
• that when the children of Ammon (בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֗וֹן): Lit. "sons of Ammon." This term emphasizes their national identity and heritage from Ben-Ammi, son of Lot (Gen 19:38). It signifies an ethnic and geopolitical entity, distinct from Israel and frequently hostile.
• made war (נִלְחָמֽוּ): From the Hebrew root לחם (lacham), meaning "to fight, wage war." It signifies an active, hostile military engagement, not merely skirmishes. This was a full-scale invasion, threatening the very existence of Gilead.
• against Israel (עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל): Refers to the collective people of God. In this specific context, it primarily designates the Israelite tribes located east of the Jordan River, especially Gilead, who were directly affected by the Ammonite aggression.
• the elders of Gilead (זִקְנֵ֥י גִלְעָ֖ד): "Elders" (זקנים - zeqenim) indicates the venerable, authoritative, and representative leaders of the community or tribe. "Gilead" specifies the particular Israelite region east of the Jordan River facing the immediate threat. Their seeking Jephthah demonstrates the profound urgency and the lack of capable internal leadership within Gilead at that time.
• went to fetch (הָלְכ֣וּ לָקַ֧חַת): "Went" (הָלְכוּ - halakh, to go) combined with "to fetch" (לָקַחַת - lakach, to take, acquire, retrieve). This phrase emphasizes a deliberate and formal delegation. They did not just hope Jephthah would return; they actively pursued him, showcasing their desperate need.
• Jephthah (יִפְתָּ֖ח): His name possibly means "he opens" (from pth) or "God opens." This could be prophetic of his role in "opening" a way of deliverance for Israel.
• out of the land of Tob (מֵאֶ֥רֶץ טֽוֹב): "Land of Tob" (אֶ֣רֶץ ט֑וֹב - Eretz Tov) means "land of goodness/good." Tob was likely a region northeast of Gilead, perhaps in Aramean territory. Jephthah's residence there indicates his prior expulsion and isolated state, outside of conventional Israelite society. The journey to Tob by the elders highlights their humiliation and the extent of their predicament.

• "when the children of Ammon made war against Israel": This phrase immediately establishes the setting and the critical state of affairs. The Ammonite aggression is the catalyst for the subsequent events, highlighting God allowing external pressure to humble His people and turn them back to Him.
• "the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob": This entire phrase encapsulates the desperation and turning point for Gilead. It signifies the community's acknowledgment of its dire need, even leading them to reverse their earlier rejection of Jephthah. This action underscores the profound humility required to seek help from one previously scorned and exiled. It reflects the biblical theme of God using unexpected and unlikely individuals, often outcasts, to bring about His purposes, thereby showcasing His power rather than human strength.

Judges 11 5 Bonus section

The act of the elders of Gilead "going to fetch" Jephthah illustrates a profound humbling for the tribal leadership. In ancient Israelite society, elders held significant authority and social standing. Their journey to retrieve a man they had previously banished due to his illegitimate birth (Judg 11:1-3) signifies a complete reversal of their earlier position and a tacit admission of their own inadequacy in the face of the crisis. This scene, therefore, subtly underscores God's method of choosing leaders not always based on societal acceptance or lineage, but on divine purpose and readiness. It sets the stage for a leader whose past reflects an 'outsider' status, echoing how God often raises up unexpected figures throughout biblical history to fulfill His redemptive plans, thereby diminishing human pride and magnifying divine sovereignty.

Judges 11 5 Commentary

Judges 11:5 serves as the critical turning point in the Jephthah narrative, demonstrating Israel's utter desperation in the face of the overwhelming Ammonite threat. After years of oppression and a superficial repentance, the true depth of their crisis became apparent, pushing the esteemed elders of Gilead to swallow their pride. Their active seeking of Jephthah from his place of exile in Tob signifies not only their dire straits but also the recognition, however reluctant, of his formidable military capabilities as their last hope. This act contrasts sharply with their earlier rejection of him, underscoring the severity of the crisis. It highlights a common biblical pattern: divine intervention often begins when human self-reliance crumbles, compelling people to turn to unlikely saviors or unexpected paths. The irony lies in the rejected outcast becoming the much-needed deliverer.