Judges 11:40
French (La Bible expliquée)
chaque année, les femmes israélites vont pleurer pendant quatre jours sur le sort de la fille de Jefté, le Galaadite. Triste destin que celui de cette fille unique empêchée par son père de réaliser sa vie de femme! Mais sa mémoire sera gardée vivante pour la postérité grâce au geste des femmes israélites, rapporté par la tradition biblique. L'auteur grec Euripide raconte une histoire semblable: celle d'Iphigénie, la fille du roi Agamemnon, qui elle aussi doit être sacrifiée pour résoudre une crise militaire. A la différence du récit de Genèse 22, où un ange du Seigneur arrête le bras d'Abraham sacrifiant son fils, rien ici ne vient empêcher le drame. Pourquoi Dieu reste-t-il parfois silencieux? Les croyants n'obtiennent pas de réponse immédiate. Même les Psaumes se font l'écho de cris déchirants lancés vers le ciel: « Réveille-toi, Seigneur! Pourquoi restes-tu inactif? Réveille-toi une bonne fois, et renonce à nous rejeter! Pourquoi refuses-tu de nous voir, et oublies-tu nos misères, nos détresses…? » (Ps 44.24-25).
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that every year, the women of Israel would come together to mourn for the daughter of Jephthah for four days. The verse is from the book of Judges and it highlights the sorrow and respect shown to her sacrifice.
Explained for Children
Imagine if every year, all the girls in town came together to remember a girl who was very special but had to leave us. They would cry together for four days to show how much they cared about her.
Historical Background
The book of Judges was written between the 6th and 7th centuries BCE, detailing the history of Israel after the conquest of Canaan. The verse is part of the story of Jephthah, a judge of Israel, and reflects the cultural practices and beliefs of that time.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, we might think about how we remember and honor those who have sacrificed for us. This could be a family member who passed away while serving in the military or a friend who made a big sacrifice for the community.
Topics
sacrificemourningfaithsorrowhonorremembrance
Related Verses
Genesis 22:1-181 Samuel 18:1-42 Samuel 1:11-12Luke 7:11-17John 11:17-44
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the daughters of Israel mourn Jephthah's daughter?
They mourned her because she was sacrificed as a result of her father's vow, which was a significant act that the community respected and honored.
What was the cultural significance of this mourning?
This mourning was a way to honor and remember the sacrifice, reflecting the cultural practices of the time where sacrifices were taken very seriously.
How does this relate to modern practices of remembrance?
Modern practices like Memorial Day in the US, where we remember fallen soldiers, can be compared to how the Israelites honored Jephthah's daughter.
What does this verse teach us about faith and sacrifice?
It teaches us that faith can lead to significant sacrifices, and that these sacrifices are often remembered and honored by the community.