Log inSign up

Judges 11 · a question people ask

Hebrews names Jephthah among people of faith. Why him?

In the text

Hebrews says, "What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets" (Hebrews 11:32). It gives his name only, and it doesn't say which of his acts it has in mind. Of everyone in its list it says, "These all, having been commended for their faith, didn’t receive the promise" (Hebrews 11:39). Judges tells his story whole, the hard parts too. It records his words: "the LORD delivers them before me" (11:9), "Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD in Mizpah" (11:11), and "May the LORD the Judge be judge today" (11:27). It records that "the LORD’s Spirit came on Jephthah" (11:29), that he vowed his vow (11:30-31), that "the LORD delivered them into his hand" (11:32), and what followed when his daughter came out to meet him (11:34-39). Hebrews doesn't give a reason for naming him, and Judges doesn't either.

The verses

“What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—”
Hebrews 11:32 · World English Bible
“These all, having been commended for their faith, didn’t receive the promise,”
Hebrews 11:39 · World English Bible
“Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivers them before me, will I be your head?””
Judges 11:9 · World English Bible
“Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and chief over them. Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD in Mizpah.”
Judges 11:11 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Judges 11

Judges 11: The LORD the Judge

Jephthah's vow opens with the words of Israel's vow in Numbers 21:2. His message to Ammon retells Numbers and Deuteronomy and leaves the case with "the LORD the Judge" (11:27). And the text says he "did with her according to his vow" (11:39) without describing it, which is why Christians read that verse in more than one way.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekJudges 11 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Judges 11

All questions about Judges →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions