Judges 11:35

“And it came to pass, when he saw her, etc.] She being the first person that presented to his view, as she was at the head of the virgins with their timbrels and dances: that he rent his clothes; as was the usual manner, when anything calamitous and distressing happened; (see <013734>Genesis 37:34 <180120>Job 1:20) and said, alas, my daughter, thou hast brought me very low; damped his spirits, sunk him very low, so that he was ready to drop into the earth, as we say; he that was now returning in triumph, amidst the acclamations of the people, in the height of his glory, and extolled to the skies, and perhaps elated in his own mind; on a sudden, at the sight of his daughter, was so depressed…”

“Jephthah was right in not being deterred from keeping his vow by the loss and sorrow to himself (compare the marginal references), just as Abraham was right in not withholding his son, his only son, from God, when commanded to offer him up as a burnt-offering. But Jephthah was wholly wrong in that conception of the character of God which led to his making the rash vow. And he would have done right not to slay his child, though the guilt of making and of breaking such a vow would have remained. Josephus well characterizes the sacrifice as “neither sanctioned by the Mosaic law, nor acceptable to God.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Trouble me - Before this, I was troubled by my brethren; and since, by the Ammonites; and now most of all, tho' but occasionally, by thee. Opened my mouth - That is, I have vowed. Cannot go back - That is, not retract my vow; I am indispensably obliged to perform it. Judges 11:36”

“rent his clothes: Gen 37:29, Gen 37:30, Gen 37:34, Gen 37:35, Gen 42:36-38; Sa2 13:30, Sa2 13:31, Sa2 18:33; Job 1:20 have opened: Lev 27:28, Lev 27:29; Num 30:2-5; Psa 15:4; Ecc 5:2-6 I cannot: Jdg 21:1-7; Sa1 14:44, Sa1 14:45; Mat 14:7-9; Act 23:14 Judges 11:36”