Connecting With Jesus

A Human Sacrifice?

Did Jephthah put his daughter on an altar and kill her?

“Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, ‘If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me… shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering’” (Judges 11:30).

Then Jephthah’s daughter was the first to greet him, he said,”Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low!… For I have given my word to the LORD, and cannot go back on it” (verse 35). She answered, “My father, if you have given your word to the LORD, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth” (v.36).

The chapter goes on to say that he “carried out his vow with her which he had vowed. She knew no man” (v. 39, emphasis supplied). Now notice her response, “Let this thing be done for me: let me alone for two months, that may go and wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity’ (v.37, emphasis sup plied). She is not crying over her impending death, but over her not being able to marry and have children. I believe that what Jephthah did to fulfill his vow was similar to what Hannah did with Samuel

(see 1 Samuel 1:27, 28). He brought his daughter to the sanctuary, and she was consecrated to the service of the Lord, which apparently meant she was to remain celibate.

There are several biblical reasons why I believe Jephthah did not kill his daughter, but consecrated her instead. First, human sacrifices were an abomination (Leviticus 18:21). Second, Jephthah had it in his power to redeem his daughter (Leviticus 27:2). Finally, the Bible says she bewailed her virginity and that Israelite women went yearly to comfort her (Judges 11:38-40). Where did they go? They went to the temple, because her life was consecrated to the Lord.

This corresponds with Anna mentioned in the New Testament,” who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37).

Dear Lord, may I guard my tongue and never make rash vows. Help me to keep the promises I make to you and others.

For Further Study: Matthew 5:33-37; Deuteronomy 12:31; Hebrews 11:32

Matthew 5:33-37 KJV
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: [34] But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: [35] Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [36] Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [37] But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Deuteronomy 12:31 KJV
Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Hebrews 11:32 KJV
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: