Original Word: Ἰεφθάε
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Iephthae
Pronunciation: yef-THAH-eh
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ef-thah'-eh)
Definition: (Hebrew), Jephthah, one of the Judges of Israel.
Meaning: Jephthah; a judge of Israel known for his leadership and vow.

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew יִפְתָּח (Yiphtach)

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 3316: יִפְתָּח (Yiphtach) • Jephthah, meaning "he opens" or "whom God sets free."

Jephthah's narrative serves as a reminder of the complexities of faith and leadership in the biblical tradition, highlighting both the triumphs and the challenges faced by those called to serve God and His people.

Usage: The name Ἰεφθάε appears in the New Testament in the context of the "heroes of faith" in the Book of Hebrews.

Context: Jephthah, known in Greek as Ἰεφθάε, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, primarily found in the Book of Judges (Judges 11-12). He was a Gileadite and the son of Gilead and a prostitute. Despite his illegitimate birth, Jephthah rose to prominence as a mighty warrior and was chosen by the elders of Gilead to lead them against the Ammonites due to his reputation as a valiant fighter.

Jephthah's story is marked by his vow to the LORD, which he made before engaging in battle with the Ammonites. He vowed that if God granted him victory, he would offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of the doors of his house to meet him upon his return. The LORD granted him victory, but the fulfillment of his vow led to a tragic outcome involving his daughter, who was the first to greet him.

Jephthah's leadership extended beyond his military exploits. He served as a judge over Israel for six years, during which he dealt with internal conflicts, including a dispute with the tribe of Ephraim. His story is a complex narrative of faith, leadership, and the consequences of rash vows.

In the New Testament, Jephthah is mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 as one of the faithful who acted in faith, alongside other judges and prophets. The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) states: "And what more shall I say? Time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets."

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Yiphtach
Definition
Jephthah, a judge of Isr.
NASB Translation
Jephthah (1).

STRONGS NT 2422: Ιεφθαε

Ιεφθαε (Ἰεφθης, Ἰεφθου, in Josephus), ὁ, (יִפְתָּח (future 3 singular masculine), from פָּתַח to open), Jephthah, the son of Gilead (cf. B. D. American edition, under the word , 4), and a judge of Israel (Judges 11f): Hebrews 11:32.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Jephthah.

Of Hebrew origin (Yiphtach); Jephthae (i.e. Jiphtach), an Israelite -- Jephthah.

see HEBREW Yiphtach

Forms and Transliterations

Ιεφθαε Ἰεφθάε Iephthae Iephtháe

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts