BibleWord.ai› Bible› Judges› Chapter 11› Verse 40

Judges 11:40

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 11:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that the daughters of Israel went yearly to celebrate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that the daughters of Israel went yearly to celebrate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.
Judges 11:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may depart and go down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions.
38And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she departed, she and her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.
39And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew not man. And it was a custom in Israel,
40that the daughters of Israel went yearly to celebrate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.
← Judges 11:39Judges 12:1 →
← Full Chapter 11 Judges Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite, etc.] Either the death of her, as some, or her virginity, as others; though the word f247 used may signify to talk and discourse with her, to hold a confabulation with her, and comfort her, as Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret it; to bring her some news, and tell her some diverting stories, to cheer and refresh her in her solitude. De Dieu observes, that the word signifies in the Arabic language to “praise”, or speak in commendation of a person or thing; and indeed in this sense it seems to be used in this book, (<070511>Judges 5:11), “they shall rehearse”, that is, with praise and thanksgiving, “the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There is no allusion extant elsewhere to this annual lamentation of the untimely fate of Jephthah’s daughter. But the poetical turn of the narrative suggests that it may be taken from some ancient song (compare the marginal note 4). return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Judges 11". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/judges-11.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The daughter of Jephthah - It is really astonishing, that the general stream of commentators, should take it for granted, that Jephthah murdered his daughter! But, says Mr. Henry, "We do not find any law, usage or custom, in all the Old Testament, which doth in the least intimate, that a single life was any branch or article of religion." And do we find any law, usage or custom there, which doth in the least intimate, that cutting the throat of an only child, was any branch or article of religion? If only a dog had met Jephthah, would he have offered up that for a burnt - offering? No: because God had expressly forbidden this. And had he not expressly forbidden murder? But Mr. Poole thinks…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“yearly: Heb. from year to year lament: or, to talk with, Jdg 5:11 four days: Kg1 9:25 Next: Judges Chapter 12”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Judges 11 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification