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Judges 11:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 11:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it was so, that, when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it was so, that, when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob;
Judges 11:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And Gilead`s wife bare him sons; and when his wife`s sons grew up, they drove out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father`s house; for thou art the son of another woman.
3Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain fellows to Jephthah, and they went out with him.
4And it came to pass after a while, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.
5And it was so, that, when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob;
6and they said unto Jephthah, Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
7And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and drive me out of my father`s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?
8And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore are we turned again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight with the children of Ammon; and thou shalt be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
← Judges 11:4Judges 11:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, etc.] Were preparing for it, and had assembled their forces near them, and had began to make some efforts against them: the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob; they did not send messengers to him, but went themselves, partly to show greater respect to him, and partly in hopes of better success, being aware of objections he would make, which they could better answer themselves than a deputation.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah--All eyes were directed towards him as the only person possessed of the qualities requisite for the preservation of the country in this time of imminent danger; and a deputation of the chief men was despatched from the Hebrew camp at Mizpeh to solicit his services.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Went - By direction from God, who both qualified him for, and called him to the office of a judge, otherwise they might not have chosen a bastard. Judges 11:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made war: Jdg 10:9, Jdg 10:17, Jdg 10:18 to fetch: Sa1 10:27, Sa1 11:6, Sa1 11:7, Sa1 11:12; Psa 118:22, Psa 118:23; Act 7:35-39; Co1 1:27-29 Judges 11:7”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification