Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Jephthah answered, “Suppose you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me—will I really be your head?” New Living Translation Jephthah said to the elders, “Let me get this straight. If I come with you and if the LORD gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?” English Standard Version Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight against the Ammonites, and the LORD gives them over to me, I will be your head.” Berean Standard Bible But Jephthah asked them, “If you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, will I really be your leader?” Berean Literal Bible And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you⁺ take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon, and YHWH delivers them to me, will I be to you⁺ leader?” King James Bible And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head? New King James Version So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back home to fight against the people of Ammon, and the LORD delivers them to me, shall I be your head?” New American Standard Bible So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the LORD gives them up to me, will I become your head?” NASB 1995 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the LORD gives them up to me, will I become your head?” NASB 1977 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the LORD gives them up to me, will I become your head?” Legacy Standard Bible So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and Yahweh gives them up to me, will I become your head?” Amplified Bible So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back [home] to fight against the Ammonites and the LORD gives them over to me, will I [really] become your head?” Berean Annotated Bible But Jephthah (he opens) asked them (rocky region), “If you⁺ take me back to fight the Ammonites (tribal) and the LORD {YHWH} gives them to me, will I really be your⁺ leader? Christian Standard Bible So Jephthah said to them, “If you are bringing me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, I will be your leader.” Holman Christian Standard Bible So Jephthah said to them, “If you are bringing me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, I will be your leader.” American Standard Version And 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? Contemporary English Version "All right," Jephthah said. "If I go back with you and the LORD lets me defeat the Ammonites, will you really make me your ruler?" English Revised Version And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight with the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head? GOD'S WORD® Translation Jephthah told them, "If you take me back to fight against Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, I will be your leader." Good News Translation Jephthah said to them, "If you take me back home to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives me victory, I will be your ruler." International Standard Version Then Jephthah asked the elders of Gilead, "If you all send me to fight against the Ammonites and the LORD hands them over right in front of me, will I really become your head?" NET Bible Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, "All right! If you take me back to fight with the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, I will be your leader." New Heart English Bible Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me home again to fight with the people of Ammon, and the LORD delivers them before me, shall I be your head?" Webster's Bible Translation And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Jephthah asked them, “If you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, will I really be your leader?” World English Bible Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the children of Ammon, and Yahweh delivers them before me, will I be your head?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jephthah says to [the] elderly of Gilead, “If you are taking me back to fight against the sons of Ammon, and YHWH has given them before me—am I for a head to you?” Berean Literal Bible And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you⁺ take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon, and YHWH delivers them to me, will I be to you⁺ leader?” Young's Literal Translation And Jephthah saith unto the elders of Gilead, 'If ye are taking me back to fight against the Bene-Ammon, and Jehovah hath given them before me -- I, am I to you for a head?' Smith's Literal Translation And Jephthah will say to the old men of Gilead, If ye turn me back to war against the sons of Ammon, and Jehovah gave them before me, shall I be to you for head? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleJephte also said to them: If you be come to me sincerely, that I should fight for you against the children of Ammon, and the Lord shall deliver them into my band, shall I be your prince? Catholic Public Domain Version Jephthah also said to them: “If you have come to me so that I may fight for you against the sons of Ammon, and if the Lord will deliver them into my hands, will I truly be your leader?” New American Bible Jephthah answered the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me back to fight against the Ammonites and the LORD delivers them up to me, I will be your leader.” New Revised Standard Version Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the Ammonites, and the LORD gives them over to me, I will be your head.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, If you bring me back to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your chief? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Naphthakh said to the Elders of Gelad: “If you return to me that I will fight with the sons of Amon, and LORD JEHOVAH delivers them before me, I shall be Ruler to you?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead: 'If ye bring me back home to fight with the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, I will be your head.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, If ye turn me back to fight with the children of Ammon, and the Lord should deliver them before me, then will I be your head. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jephthah Delivers Israel…8They answered Jephthah, “This is why we now turn to you, that you may go with us, fight the Ammonites, and become leader over all of us who live in Gilead.” 9But Jephthah asked them, “If you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, will I really be your leader?” 10And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is our witness if we do not do as you say.”… Cross References But Jephthah asked them, 2 Samuel 19:11-15 Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters? / You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ / And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’” … 1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.” “If you take me back to fight the Ammonites 1 Samuel 11:1-11 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” / But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” / “Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” … 2 Samuel 10:6-14 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. / On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. … 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. / Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi). / Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. … and the LORD gives them to me Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Joshua 10:8-14 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you.” / After marching all night from Gilgal, Joshua caught them by surprise. / And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. … 1 Samuel 17:47 And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” will I really be your leader?” Judges 10:18 And the rulers of Gilead said to one another, “Whoever will launch the attack against the Ammonites will be the head of all who live in Gilead.” 2 Samuel 5:1-3 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. 1 Kings 1:35 Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” Numbers 32:20-22 Moses replied, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle, / and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him, / then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD. Deuteronomy 20:10-12 When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. / If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. / But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. Joshua 9:15-20 And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. / Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. / So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. … 1 Samuel 18:17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 1 Samuel 18:25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. Treasury of Scripture And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, If you bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head? If ye bring Numbers 32:20-29 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, … Jump to Previous Ammon Ammonites Children Deliver Elders Head Help Home Jephthah Overcome Really Responsible Suppose WarJump to Next Ammon Ammonites Children Deliver Elders Head Help Home Jephthah Overcome Really Responsible Suppose WarJudges 11 1. The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead12. The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain 29. Jephthah's vow 32. His conquest of the Ammonites 34. He performs his vow on his daughter. But Jephthah asked them Jephthah, a Gileadite, was initially rejected by his family due to his mother being a prostitute (Judges 11:1-2). His question reflects a cautious approach, likely due to his past experiences of rejection. This moment highlights the theme of God using unlikely individuals for His purposes, similar to how David was chosen despite being the youngest and least likely (1 Samuel 16:11-13). “If you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me will I really be your leader?” Persons / Places / Events 1. JephthahA Gileadite warrior, son of Gilead and a prostitute, who was initially rejected by his family but later called upon to lead Israel against the Ammonites. 2. Gilead The region east of the Jordan River, home to Jephthah and his family. 3. Ammonites A neighboring nation and frequent adversary of Israel, who were oppressing the Israelites at this time. 4. Elders of Gilead Leaders of the Gileadite community who sought Jephthah's help to defeat the Ammonites. 5. The LORD The covenant God of Israel, whom Jephthah acknowledges as the one who grants victory. Teaching Points Leadership and God's SovereigntyJephthah's question reflects a recognition that true leadership and victory come from God. We should seek God's guidance and approval in our leadership roles. Reconciliation and Forgiveness Despite being rejected, Jephthah is willing to reconcile with the elders for the greater good. We should be open to reconciliation and forgiveness, even when wronged. Faith in God's Promises Jephthah's confidence in God's deliverance is a model of faith. We should trust in God's promises and His ability to deliver us from our challenges. Conditional Commitment Jephthah's conditional acceptance to lead highlights the importance of clear commitments and understanding in agreements. We should ensure our commitments align with God's will. God's Use of the Unlikely Jephthah's background as an outcast shows that God can use anyone for His purposes. We should not underestimate how God can use us, regardless of our past. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 11:9?2. How does Jephthah's negotiation in Judges 11:9 demonstrate wise leadership qualities? 3. What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Jephthah's response in Judges 11:9? 4. How does Judges 11:9 relate to trusting God's plan in difficult situations? 5. In what ways can we apply Jephthah's strategic thinking to our daily decisions? 6. How does Jephthah's approach in Judges 11:9 inspire confidence in God's promises today? 7. What does Judges 11:9 reveal about Jephthah's leadership qualities and negotiation skills? 8. How does Judges 11:9 reflect the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel? 9. What theological implications arise from Jephthah's conditional agreement in Judges 11:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 11? 11. Who was Jephthah's daughter in the Bible? 12. Judges 11:30-31: How can a just God permit Jephthah's vow, which appears to condone human sacrifice? 13. If God is all-good, why does He accept human sacrifices in some cases (Judges 11:30-39)? 14. In 1 Samuel 11:1-2, how could gouging out the right eye of every Israelite realistically have served as a sign of submission without stronger resistance or outside intervention? What Does Judges 11:9 Mean But Jephthah asked them• Jephthah does not give an immediate yes; he pauses to question the elders of Gilead (Judges 11:4-8). • His past rejection (Judges 11:1-3) makes him cautious. He wants clarity before committing—similar to Moses’ hesitation in Exodus 3:11 and Gideon’s questions in Judges 6:15-17. • Scripture places value on counting the cost before action (Luke 14:28-31). Jephthah exemplifies prudent leadership, ensuring that this invitation is genuine and not another slight. If you take me back to fight the Ammonites • The elders had driven him away; now they seek his military skill (Judges 10:17-18). • “Take me back” shows that reconciliation involves tangible steps, not mere words (Genesis 45:4-8; Matthew 5:23-24). • The immediate crisis with Ammon (Judges 3:13; 1 Samuel 11:1) underscores how God often uses conflict to restore broken relationships among His people. and the LORD gives them to me • Victory is attributed to the LORD, never to human strength (Judges 7:2; 1 Samuel 17:47). • Jephthah’s wording echoes earlier judges like Deborah and Barak, who declared, “Has not the LORD gone out before you?” (Judges 4:14). • This confession of dependence aligns with Proverbs 21:31—“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.” will I really be your leader? • “Leader” (head) indicates civil and military authority (Judges 10:18; compare Judges 8:22-23). • Jephthah seeks assurance that the elders will honor their word after the battle, avoiding the fate of Gideon’s son who was rejected after deliverance (Judges 9:5-6). • The inquiry also guards Israel against fickle loyalties, highlighting God’s desire for orderly leadership (Deuteronomy 17:14-15; 2 Samuel 5:2). summary Jephthah’s question unpacks four ideas: a cautious leader probing sincere repentance, a community willing to reverse past wrongs, absolute reliance on God for victory, and the necessity of steadfast commitment to divinely appointed leadership. Judges 11:9 teaches that authentic reconciliation, God-centered dependence, and covenant faithfulness are essential for both personal calling and national deliverance. (9) Shall I be your head?--We must not be surprised if Jephthah does not display a disinterested patriotism. He was only half an Israelite; he had been wronged by his father's kin; he had spent long years of his manhood among heathens and outlaws, who gained their livelihood by brigandage or mercenary warfare. "As Gideon is the highest pitch of greatness to which this period reaches," says Dean Stanley. "Jephthah and Samson are the lowest points to which it descends." Since, then, we have marked elements of ferocity and religious ignorance and ambition even in the noble character of Gideon, we must remember that we might naturally make allowance for a still lower level of attainment in one who had been so unfavourably circumstanced as Jephthah. Apart from the Syrian influences which had told upon him, the whole condition of the pastoral tribes on the east of the Jordan was far below that of the agricultural western tribes.Verse 9. - Shall I be, etc. There is no interrogative in the Hebrew. The words may be taken as the laying down of the condition by Jephthah, to which in the following verse the elders express their assent.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Jephthahיִפְתָּ֜ח (yip̄·tāḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3316: Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah answered, וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you אַתֶּ֤ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you take me back מְשִׁיבִ֨ים (mə·šî·ḇîm) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to fight לְהִלָּחֵם֙ (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm) Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle the Ammonites בִּבְנֵ֣י (biḇ·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son and the LORD יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel gives וְנָתַ֧ן (wə·nā·ṯan) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set them to me, לְפָנָ֑י (lə·p̄ā·nāy) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6440: The face will I אָנֹכִ֕י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I really be אֶהְיֶ֥ה (’eh·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be your leader?” לְרֹֽאשׁ׃ (lə·rōš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7218: The head Links Judges 11:9 NIVJudges 11:9 NLT Judges 11:9 ESV Judges 11:9 NASB Judges 11:9 KJV Judges 11:9 BibleApps.com Judges 11:9 Biblia Paralela Judges 11:9 Chinese Bible Judges 11:9 French Bible Judges 11:9 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 11:9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead (Jd Judg. 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