Old Testament

Judges 11:36

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jephthah's daughter responds to her father's vow to God.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

She said to him, "My father, if you have made a vow to the LORD, do to me as you have promised, since the LORD has taken vengeance for you on your enemies, the Ammonites."

KJVKing James Version

And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jephthah's daughter responds to her father's vow to God. She acknowledges the seriousness of his promise and encourages him to fulfill it, even though it means she must face a tragic fate. Her words reflect a deep understanding of the importance of vows made to God and the consequences that come with them. Jephthah had vowed to sacrifice whatever came out of his house first if he won the battle against the Ammonites. When his daughter comes out to greet him, she realizes the implications of his vow. This moment highlights themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the weight of one's words. Jephthah's daughter shows remarkable courage and acceptance of her fate, emphasizing the gravity of commitments made to God and the impact they can have on loved ones.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 11:36 to your life

This verse teaches us the importance of being careful with our words and commitments, especially in our promises to God. It reminds us to consider the potential impact of our vows on others and to act with integrity and responsibility in fulfilling them.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What is the significance of Jephthah's vow in Judges 11:36?

Jephthah's vow is significant because it illustrates the seriousness of promises made to God. He vowed to sacrifice whatever came out of his house first if he won the battle against the Ammonites. This highlights the theme of the weight of words and the consequences that can arise from hasty commitments, especially when they involve the lives of loved ones.

How does Jephthah's daughter respond to his vow?

Jephthah's daughter responds with acceptance and courage. She acknowledges her father's vow and encourages him to fulfill it, despite the tragic implications for her own life. Her response reflects deep loyalty and an understanding of the importance of honoring commitments made to God, even at great personal cost.

What lessons can we learn from Judges 11:36 about making vows?

Judges 11:36 teaches us to be cautious with our words and commitments, particularly regarding vows to God. It emphasizes the need to consider the potential consequences of our promises on ourselves and others. The verse encourages integrity and responsibility in fulfilling commitments, reminding us that our words carry weight and can significantly impact those we love.

What themes are present in Judges 11:36?

The themes present in Judges 11:36 include vows, sacrifice, loyalty, faith, and the consequences of promises. The verse explores the gravity of making commitments to God and the impact those commitments can have on relationships, particularly between Jephthah and his daughter.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

Premium

Unlock the full Judges summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Judges — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 21 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Judges summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.

← Verse 35 Verse 37 →