Judges 12 7

Judges 12:7 kjv

And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

Judges 12:7 nkjv

And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in among the cities of Gilead.

Judges 12:7 niv

Jephthah led Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in a town in Gilead.

Judges 12:7 esv

Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in his city in Gilead.

Judges 12:7 nlt

Jephthah judged Israel for six years. When he died, he was buried in one of the towns of Gilead.

Judges 12 verses

Judges 12 7 Meaning

Judges 12:7 concludes the narrative of Jephthah, the judge from Gilead. It states that he judged Israel for a period of six years, marking the entire duration of his leadership and influence. Following this brief tenure, the verse plainly records his death and burial in one of the cities within his homeland of Gilead. This statement signifies the end of his tumultuous leadership, coming immediately after the grim account of the Ephraimite slaughter.

Judges 12 7 Context

Judges 12:7 provides the summary conclusion to the dramatic and tragic life of Jephthah, one of Israel's judges. It immediately follows the account of the violent inter-tribal conflict where Jephthah's Gileadites decisively defeated and slaughtered 42,000 insolent Ephraimites (Jdg 12:1-6). Prior to this, Jephthah had made a rash vow to the Lord to sacrifice whatever came out of his house first if he were victorious over the Ammonites (Jdg 11:30-31), a vow that led to the sacrifice of his only daughter (Jdg 11:34-40). Therefore, Jephthah's judgeship, though successful militarily against the Ammonites, is marked by both tragic personal sacrifice and horrific internal bloodshed. The brevity of his rule (six years) is noteworthy compared to many other judges, and his quiet burial in an unnamed Gileadite city brings a rather understated end to such a controversial and prominent figure. This terse concluding verse contributes to the overall portrayal of the declining spiritual and moral state of Israel during the period of the Judges, characterized by personal flawed leadership, tribal conflicts, and a lack of consistent national unity under God.

Judges 12 7 Word analysis

• And Jephthah: (Vayiftach). Simple conjunction and name. Jephthah (יִפְתָּח, Yiftach) means "he will open" or "may he open." His name might reflect his role in "opening" the way for deliverance for Gilead or opening a new, dark chapter of inter-tribal strife.
• judged: (shaphat, שָׁפַט). The verb encompasses more than just dispensing justice. It signifies leading, governing, delivering, and acting as a military commander. This was the core function of a "Judge" (shofet), a deliverer raised by God to bring liberation from foreign oppression.
• Israel: (Yisrael). While representing the nation, in the Book of Judges, the influence of a judge was often regional, depending on the immediate threat or tribal cooperation. Here, Jephthah’s "judging Israel" primarily refers to his authority and impact on the tribes involved in the conflict, especially Gilead and Ephraim.
• six years: (shesh shanim, שֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים). A notably short period for a judge, especially when contrasted with the much longer tenures of others like Othniel (40 years), Ehud (80 years), or Gideon (40 years). This brevity could subtly indicate the difficult and perhaps unsettling nature of his rule, marked by the severe outcomes of his vow and the tribal war.
• Then died: (vayyamat, וַיָּמָת). A simple, direct declaration of death. This abrupt phrase signals the definite conclusion of his life and leadership without additional embellishment, characteristic of concise biblical summary statements.
• Jephthah the Gileadite: (Yiftach haGil'adi, יִפְתָּח הַגִּלְעָדִי). Emphasizes his strong tribal and geographical identity. Being from Gilead, a region often distinct due to its location east of the Jordan, was a crucial part of his background and story from the very beginning of his narrative. It underlines his origins as an outcast who became a leader.
• and was buried: (vayyiqaveir, וַיִּקָּבֵר). Indicates a customary and proper burial, aligning with Israelite tradition for significant individuals. This ensures his memory persists, even if the exact location is generalized.
• in one of the cities of Gilead: (be'arei Gil'ad, בְּעָרֵי גִּלְעָד). This phrase is conspicuously vague compared to the precise burial locations of other significant figures (e.g., Joshua in Timnath Serah, Samuel in Ramah, David in the City of David). The lack of a specific named city might suggest a diminished honor or less lasting monument to his leadership, or perhaps his general acceptance within Gilead. It contrasts his specific name and "Gileadite" title with an indistinct final resting place, which subtly highlights the nuanced legacy of his rule.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• And Jephthah judged Israel six years: This concise sentence summarizes his entire period of influence as a leader. It implies divine appointment and human agency in delivering God’s people. The short duration hints at the turbulent nature of the times and possibly the flawed character of his leadership following the vow and inter-tribal slaughter.
• Then died Jephthah the Gileadite: This abrupt statement marks the definitive end of his earthly life and rule. The repetition of his full designation, "Jephthah the Gileadite," reinforces his identity and connects his life to his unique background, ending the account as definitively as it began, drawing attention to his tribal connection throughout his tenure.
• and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead: This concluding phrase about his burial reinforces his deep ties to his homeland, Gilead, the place that initially rejected him but later sought his leadership. The unspecified city of burial leaves a quiet, somewhat anticlimactic note for a figure whose life was marked by such extreme highs and lows, possibly reflecting a legacy that, despite his victories, remained complex and problematic in the eyes of the chronicler.

Judges 12 7 Bonus section

The brevity of Jephthah's six years of judging, ending abruptly, emphasizes the transitional and often tumultuous nature of leadership during the time of the Judges. This quick succession and quiet ending align with the broader narrative tone of the Book of Judges, which increasingly depicts chaos and moral decline, underscoring the future need for a righteous king. The contrast between Jephthah's dramatic entry as a cast-off delivering his people and the subdued report of his demise creates a profound sense of the incomplete or problematic redemption he embodied, characteristic of many figures in Judges who served God imperfectly in a deteriorating national spiritual state.

Judges 12 7 Commentary

Judges 12:7 serves as a sober epitaph for Jephthah, marking the end of his turbulent judgeship. His six-year tenure, relatively brief compared to other judges, underscores the often unstable and short-lived periods of respite Israel experienced. The verse highlights his origin as "the Gileadite," confirming his strong identity with his homeland even in death. His burial in an unnamed city of Gilead stands in quiet contrast to the precise burial sites of other esteemed leaders, subtly hinting at a complex or perhaps a less glorious legacy, particularly in light of his rash vow concerning his daughter and the recent slaughter of the Ephraimites. It encapsulates a period where God continued to deliver His people, but the means often reflected the moral compromises and increasing depravity of the age.