Judges 11:38

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَقَالَ لَهَا: «اذْهَبِي.» وَصَرَفَهَا مُدَّةَ شَهْرَينِ. فَذَهَبَتْ هِيَ وَصَاحِبَاتُهَا وَبَكَينَ عَلَى التِّلَالِ لِأنَّهَا سَتَبْقَى عَذْرَاءَ.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Jephthah is sending away his daughter for two months to mourn her virginity, which she will lose as a result of a vow Jephthah made. The daughter goes with her companions to the mountains to mourn.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you promised to give up your favorite toy if you won a game. But when you win, you realize how much you'll miss your toy. Jephthah's daughter is going away to think about how much she'll miss being a young girl forever.

Historical Background

This verse is from the Book of Judges, written around 900 BCE. It's a story about Jephthah, a judge of Israel, who made a vow and is now facing its consequences. The culture at the time valued virginity highly.

Living It Out Today

This verse can remind us of the importance of careful promises and their consequences. Consider a scenario where a person makes a big decision based on a promise they made, only to realize later the full impact it has on their life.

Topics

• promise
• consequences
• virginity
• mourning
• vows
• judges

Related Verses

• Genesis 24:64
• Deuteronomy 22:13-21
• 1 Samuel 1:10-11
• Luke 1:13-15
• James 5:12

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Jephthah's vow?

Jephthah made a vow to God that if he won a battle against the Ammonites, he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house to greet him upon his return, which turned out to be his daughter.

Why did Jephthah's daughter mourn?

She mourned because she would not have the opportunity to marry and have children, which was considered a significant loss in that culture.

How does this verse apply to modern times?

It shows the importance of careful decision-making and the unforeseen consequences of our actions or promises.

What is the significance of the two months?

The two months represent a period of time for Jephthah's daughter to prepare for the outcome of the vow, to mourn and to say goodbye to her life as a young, unmarried woman.