JUDGES 11 describes an event in Israel’s history that is difficult to reconcile with a loving God.

Jephthah, the son of man of the tribe of Manasseh by a prostitute, is called upon by the people of Gilead to lead them into battle against the kingdom of Ammon, which had invaded their territory. Jephthah, described as “a mighty warrior,” vowed to God that he would sacrifice as a burnt offering “whatever [or “whoever”] comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return.” (Judges 11:30–31).

This illustrates the foolishness of swearing a rash vow to God. It is also evidence that the Bible has not been edited over the centuries, for surely an event like this would have been deleted to remove any hint that Jephthah’s vow and subsequent sacrifice was acceptable to God.

However, not all scholars believe that Jephthah’s daughter became a burnt offering. The Septuagint translation suggests that she was instead dedicated to God through a vow of chastity. In that time, being childless was normally considered a mark of shame. For more on this, see “Did Jephthah Kill His Daughter?” by Solomon Landers at Biblical Archaeology Society Online (link: https://www.baslibrary.org/bible-review/7/4/15) and “Daughter of Jephthah: Bible” by Karla Bombach at the Jewish Women’s Archive (link: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/daughter-of-jephthah-bible).

It appears the real sacrifice was the end of Jephthah’s patrimony, since his daughter was his only child. By dedicating her to God, the bloodline of Jephthah came to an end.

Get our new app! It’s free and connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs, SciFriday , Unraveling Revelation , and A View from the Bunker . The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/ .

Please subscribe and share our YouTube channel, www.YouTube.com/GilbertHouse!

Check out our new online store! www.GilbertHouse.org/store is a virtual book table with books and DVDs related to our weekly Bible study. During the month of May, save 20% with promo code MAY20!

JOIN US IN TURKEY! We’re planning a tour of the churches of Revelation, Göbekli Tepe, Abraham’s home town Harran, the “Gates of Hell,” Mount Nemrut, and more. The dates are October 19-November 3, 2022. Complete details on cost, the itinerary, and registration are available now at www.SkyWatchinTurkey.com.

NEW DATES FOR THE SKYWATCH TV TOUR OF ISRAEL: The Gilberts will be in the Holy Land March 19-30, 2023 . This is a tour like no other! See Joshua’s altar, Gilgal Refaim, and more. For information and to reserve your place, log on to www.SkyWatchInIsrael.com.

Follow our weekly studies of Bible prophecy at www.UnravelingRevelation.tv, or at www.youtube.com/unravelingrevelation!

Derek’s new book! The Second Coming of Saturn is available in paperback and Kindle. You can buy it at the SkyWatchTV store (https://www.skywatchtvstore.com/products/the-second-coming-of-saturn-the-great-conjunction-america-s-temple-and-the-return-of-the-watchers), Amazon (https://amzn.to/3rHgGRl), or any major bookstore.

Click here (www.gilberthouse.org/bible-study-archive/new-testament-study-archive/) for the complete archive of our New Testament Bible studies to date, and click here (www.gilberthouse.org/bible-study-archive/old-testament-study-archive/) for the Old Testament studies to date. Or go to www.spreaker.com/show/gilbert-house-fellowship for all of the audio.