Judges 11 6

Judges 11:6 kjv

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

Judges 11:6 nkjv

Then they said to Jephthah, "Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon."

Judges 11:6 niv

"Come," they said, "be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites."

Judges 11:6 esv

And they said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader, that we may fight against the Ammonites."

Judges 11:6 nlt

The elders said, "Come and be our commander! Help us fight the Ammonites!"

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 6 Meaning

Judges 11:6 records the desperate plea of the elders of Gilead to Jephthah, whom they had previously driven away due to his illegitimate birth. They approach him in their hour of grave need, acknowledging his prowess as a warrior, and humbly ask him to return and assume the role of their military leader to confront the relentless oppression by the Ammonites. This marks a profound reversal of fortune, reflecting the dire straits Israel found itself in, where pragmatic survival superseded societal prejudice.

Judges 11 6 Context

The book of Judges details a turbulent period in Israel's history following the death of Joshua, characterized by cyclical patterns of disobedience, oppression by foreign nations, cries for deliverance, and the raising of "judges" by God. This specific period is marked by an eighteen-year oppression from the Ammonites (Judg 10:8), a direct consequence of Israel's idolatry. Deeply distressed by the affliction, Israel cried out to the Lord, confessed their sin, and cast away their foreign gods (Judg 10:10-16). Yet, they lacked a clear leader for military action. In Judges 10:18, the people and leaders of Gilead are desperate for someone to initiate the battle against Ammon, even offering to make the chosen leader their "head." It is into this dire context that Jephthah, previously ostracized by his half-brothers and the elders themselves due to his background as the son of a harlot, is now sought out from his exile in the land of Tob as the only hope for military salvation.

Judges 11 6 Word analysis

• And they said: Refers to the elders of Gilead (Judg 11:5, and implied from Judg 10:18), indicating a formal delegation representing the collective, desperate will of the Gileadite community.
• unto Jephthah: יִפְתָּח (Yiphtakh). Meaning "He opens" or "He will open." This name foreshadows his role as the one who "opens" the way for Israel's deliverance. The address signals their newfound humility and acknowledgement of his capability despite his rejected status.
• Come: לְכָה (lekhah). An imperative, "Go" or "Come forth." It's a direct command or urgent plea, indicating a significant call for him to return from his ostracization and take a pivotal role.
• and be our captain: וְהָיִיתָ לָּנוּ לְקָצִין (ve'hayita lanu l'qatsin).
  • captain: קָצִין (qatsin). A term signifying a military commander, chief, or leader, distinct from a "king" (melech) or mere elder (zaqen). It denotes one who gives orders, has authority in battle, and takes initiative. The specific designation underscores the immediate military necessity.
  • our: לָּנוּ (lanu). Emphasizes that this is an offer for him to integrate and lead their community, after having been expelled by them, signifying their concession and dire need for his specific skills.
• that we may fight: וְנִלָּחֲמָה (ve'nilakhamah). "And let us fight." The purpose of his desired leadership is purely militaristic and immediate: to engage in combat. This highlights the severity of the Ammonite threat and their singular focus on deliverance through battle.
• with the children of Ammon: עִם בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן (im b'ney Ammon). This precisely identifies the oppressive enemy. The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, were historical adversaries of Israel, known for their aggression and persistent threat, especially in the Transjordan region. Their long oppression underscored the urgency.

Judges 11 6 Bonus section

• The transactional nature of the elders' offer ("Come, and be our captain, that we may fight") contrasts with calls from God for a deliverer, which are often based on God's initiative and the deliverer's obedience. Here, it is human desperation reaching out for pragmatic military strength.
• Jephthah's story, along with other judges, illustrates a common biblical theme: God using seemingly "weak" or "despised" instruments (like a rejected son of a harlot) to confound the wise and strong (1 Cor 1:27), demonstrating His power and sovereignty, not man's merit.
• The use of "qatsin" (captain/leader) is significant; it indicates military and administrative authority necessary to lead in war, yet distinct from a "king," which implies hereditary or divinely sanctioned monarchy (as would later be sought by Israel in Samuel's time).
• The willingness of the Gileadites to appoint someone they previously rejected points to the extreme nature of the Ammonite threat. Their very existence was at stake, forcing them to swallow their pride and seek Jephthah's unique combat experience.

Judges 11 6 Commentary

Judges 11:6 is a pivotal moment showcasing human desperation leading to a reversal of pride and prejudice. The elders of Gilead, having driven Jephthah out, now abjectly turn to him as their last hope against the menacing Ammonites. This is a pragmatic, transactional appeal, born out of dire necessity rather than true repentance for their past injustice. It highlights how God, in His sovereignty, often uses unexpected and even flawed vessels, individuals whom society has rejected, to achieve His purposes of deliverance for His people. Jephthah's past made him an outcast, but his reputation as a "mighty man of valor" (Judg 11:1) ultimately made him indispensable in their moment of crisis, underscoring that human capability, in God's providence, can override social stigma for divine plans. This situation serves as a powerful reminder that the Lord can draw out a deliverer from the most unlikely and unappealing of circumstances, challenging human notions of who is worthy.