Jephthah's Vow
TextsWhat is the meaning of Jephthah's Vow in the Bible?
A rash promise made by the Israelite judge Jephthah to sacrifice the first person he encountered upon returning from victory. This vow resulted in the sacrifice of his only daughter.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
The narrative serves as a critical case study in ancient Near Eastern treaty and vow customs and the ethical tensions within the Book of Judges.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Jephthah's Vow functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Jephthah's Vow in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jephthah's Vow clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Jephthah's Vow." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jephthahs-vow/