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Judges 11:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 11:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and they said unto Jephthah, Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and they said unto Jephthah, Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
Judges 11:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
9And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight with the children of Ammon, and Jehovah deliver them before me, shall I be your head?
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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 they said unto Jephthah, come and be our captain, etc.] The general of their army, to conduct and lead on their forces; they did not propose him to be their king, being convinced by Abimelech’s conduct that such a step would be wrong; nor did they say anything of his being their judge, having no other view than to serve their present exigence; besides, a judge was not one chosen by the people, but raised up of God, and which honour was conferred on Jephthah afterwards: that we may fight with the children of Ammon; with judgment, courage, and success; they did not make this proposal to him to save themselves from being engaged in the war, but that they might have one skilful in military…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification