JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your inquiry as to whether Jephthah kept his vow and sacrificed his daughter.

The earliest Christian and Jewish commentators accepted the account of Judges 11 at face value. They believed, as some scholars still do today, that Jephthah carried out his vow and killed his daughter. The medieval Jewish commentator David Kimchi was apparently the first to put forth the idea that Jephthah simply kept her a perpetual virgin. Many modern writers agree with his theory. They cannot believe that one of God's servants could have killed his daughter. But, putting the opinions of men aside, what does the Bible say?

The Hebrew of Judges 11 indicates that Jephthah did indeed keep his vow and sacrifice his daughter. But, would God have required him to do that? Was God pleased with his action? Absolutely not! The Bible reveals that human sacrifice is abhorrent to God: "And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; WHICH I COMMANDED THEM NOT, NEITHER CAME IT INTO MY HEART" (Jer. 7:31). Please also see Jeremiah 32:35. Human sacrifice is totally contrary to God's will.

Of course, Jephthah did not make his vow with his daughter in mind. In Judges 11:31, we read that he said, "Whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me ... I will offer it up for a burnt offering." It was common at that time for houses to have enclosed courtyards where animals were kept. Jephthah incorrectly assumed that the first creature to meet him upon his return from battle would be an animal.

Jephthah made a very rash and foolish vow. He further compounded his error by keeping his vow (Judg. 11:39). That, no doubt, was greatly displeasing to God. Nevertheless, Jephthah is mentioned among the faithful listed in Hebrews 11 (see verse 32). This leads us to conclude that -- like other servants of God -- he ultimately realized the error of his own ways, repented, and received God's forgiveness.

Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is a pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT