Judges 11 9

Judges 11:9 kjv

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?

Judges 11:9 nkjv

So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you take me back home to fight against the people of Ammon, and the LORD delivers them to me, shall I be your head?"

Judges 11:9 niv

Jephthah answered, "Suppose you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me?will I really be your head?"

Judges 11:9 esv

Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me home again to fight against the Ammonites, and the LORD gives them over to me, I will be your head."

Judges 11:9 nlt

Jephthah said to the elders, "Let me get this straight. If I come with you and if the LORD gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?"

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 9 Meaning

This verse captures Jephthah's explicit conditions for accepting leadership over Gilead. He states that if the elders bring him back from exile to fight the Ammonites, and if the LORD grants victory, then he expects to be recognized as their permanent head or ruler. It underscores his demand for official legitimization of his authority, directly linking his military service to an established leadership position and acknowledging God's essential role in the outcome.

Judges 11 9 Context

Judges 11 unfolds the story of Jephthah during a chaotic period in Israel's history, marked by a cycle of sin, foreign oppression, and temporary deliverance by "judges" appointed by God. The Gileadites, suffering under Ammonite oppression (Jdg 10:6-9), remember Jephthah, whom they had previously rejected and exiled due to his birth from a prostitute (Jdg 11:1-3). In desperation, the elders of Gilead approach Jephthah (Jdg 11:5-8), recognizing his military prowess as a mercenary leader, and offer him the position of their "captain." Judges 11:9 is Jephthah's response, clarifying his conditions before committing to the dangerous task. He insists not merely on being a temporary military captain, but on receiving permanent political authority (to be "head") and underscores his understanding that true victory would be a divine act, not solely human achievement. This sets the stage for the formal covenant (Jdg 11:10-11) and the ensuing conflict with the Ammonites.

Judges 11 9 Word analysis

• And Jephthah said:

  • And: Hebrew waw connective (wa-), typical narrative conjunction, continuing the flow.
  • Jephthah: (Yip̄tāḥ). His name possibly means "he opens" or "God opens," fitting for someone who would open negotiations and potentially open a way to deliverance. Acknowledges his specific role and character.
  • said: (yyo'mer). Indicates a direct speech, showing his immediate, thoughtful response to the elders' proposition.

• unto the elders of Gilead:

  • unto the elders: Hebrew ʾel ziqnê. "Elders" (ziqnê) signifies mature, respected men holding positions of authority and responsibility within their communities. They were representatives of the entire region. This highlights the formal, official nature of the negotiation.
  • of Gilead: Refers to the geographical region east of the Jordan River, populated by tribes like Gad and Reuben, facing direct Ammonite threat. Their identity is tied to this specific land.

• If ye bring me home again:

  • If: Hebrew ʾim. Introduces a strong conditional clause, setting up a prerequisite for his action.
  • ye bring me home again: Hebrew haššibōtem ʾōṯî. "Bring home again" signifies restoration to status, respect, and acceptance within the community he was forcefully expelled from. It's a reversal of his prior rejection, demanding full vindication and legitimization.

• to fight against the children of Ammon:

  • to fight: Hebrew ləhillāḥēm. The stated purpose for his return and the immediate crisis at hand. It frames the immediate military objective.
  • against the children of Ammon: Standard biblical phrase (bibnê ʿAmmôn) referring to the Ammonite people, often hereditary enemies of Israel (cf. Deut 23:3). This highlights the established adversary and the severity of the threat.

• and the LORD deliver them before me:

  • and the LORD: Hebrew wə-YHWH. Jephthah explicitly names the covenant God of Israel. This is a theological acknowledgment, revealing his faith and his understanding that ultimate victory is not by human strength alone, but by divine intervention.
  • deliver them: Hebrew nāṯan ʾōṯām, literally "give them." A common biblical idiom for God "giving" the enemy into one's hands, signifying a decisive victory divinely ordained (e.g., Deut 2:36; 7:2).
  • before me: Indicates that the deliverance is to occur under his leadership, making him the divinely empowered agent of salvation.

• shall I be your head?:

  • shall I be: Expresses an interrogative condition, seeking confirmation.
  • your head: Hebrew lə-roʾš. This is the crucial condition and Jephthah's ultimate demand. Roʾš means "head," often referring to the primary or leading person, a chief, or a ruler with political authority. It signifies not merely a temporary military "captain" (as offered in Jdg 11:6) but a lasting, overarching leader of the community, suggesting permanence and comprehensive rule beyond just battle command.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If ye bring me home again...and the LORD deliver them before me": This structure shows a twin condition for his acceptance: first, the elders' practical action of reintegrating him, and second, God's essential act of granting victory. It signifies a pragmatic faith that integrates human effort with divine sovereignty.
• "to fight...and the LORD deliver...shall I be your head?": This progression highlights the sequence of his engagement: he will perform the military task, but only after being assured of divine assistance, and contingent on receiving lasting authority upon successful completion. His focus isn't just on battle, but on the enduring socio-political outcome.
• "Elders of Gilead...your head": This contrast emphasizes the transition Jephthah demands. He, an outcast, seeks to be recognized as the ultimate authority by those who represent the community that had rejected him. It speaks to a deep need for vindication and legitimate leadership.

Judges 11 9 Bonus section

The exchange in this verse is highly significant for understanding Jephthah's character and the nature of leadership in the Judges period. Jephthah's demand for legitimacy and lasting authority as "head" goes beyond merely being a "captain" (Jdg 11:6). This distinction points to a deeper societal shift: Israel needed not just a temporary military leader but someone to unify and govern, echoing the later call for a king. Jephthah's willingness to return from a self-imposed exile, combined with his conditional acceptance, parallels, in a distant way, the story of David who also rose from a place of rejection to become a chosen leader, though David's anointing was direct and unqualified by human negotiation. Jephthah's immediate acknowledgement of YHWH's decisive role reflects a Deuteronomistic theological perspective where God's hand in battles and history is paramount, reinforcing that divine blessing is indispensable for human success, especially in military endeavors for Israel. This also implies that Jephthah, despite his unorthodox background, was rooted in the faith and understanding common to Israel regarding the divine mandate for war and victory.

Judges 11 9 Commentary

Judges 11:9 encapsulates Jephthah's shrewdness and his profound, though perhaps flawed, understanding of God's role in leadership. Faced with the elders' desperate appeal, he doesn't immediately accept, but rather lays down clear terms. His primary condition—to be recognized as their "head"—demonstrates a demand for complete legitimation and enduring political authority, not just temporary military command. This underscores the power vacuum and instability of the Judges period, where leadership roles were often contested. Critically, Jephthah’s terms hinge on divine enablement: "and the LORD deliver them before me." He implicitly recognizes that true victory is God’s to grant, aligning himself with the prevailing Israelite belief that battles were won by divine intervention, not merely human prowess. This statement reveals a strategic individual who blends personal ambition for recognition with a reliance on the Almighty for success, thereby ensuring both his political future and acknowledging the ultimate source of power.