Jephthah the Gileadite

The story of Jephthah

Our masonic ritual includes a reference to the war between the Ammonites and Jephthah, a Gileaditish leader and judge in the land of Israel. The story of Jephthah is found in Judges Chapter 11 and 12.

Jephthah is described as a ‘mighty on Israel. Jephthah was summoned and had invaded the Gileaditish territory. man of valour’ in the land of requested to return to lead the fight The King of Ammon put forward the Israel and was the son of a harlot. against the Ammonites. It’s pretty easy falsehood that Israel had taken their Jephthah’s father Gilead had two to understand Jephthah’s surprise at land when they returned from Egypt more sons who following the death of this approach – and his initial response and therefore they intended to continue their father, expelled Jephthah from the – ‘Did not ye hate me, and expel me out the invasion. family, saying to him ‘Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.’ With this Jephthah fled and lived in the land of Tob, a district on the east of the Jordan, about 13 miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee. of my father’s house? And why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?’ The elders promised that if Jephthah returned and fought the Ammonites he would be the `head over all inhabitants of Gilead’. Jephthah returned and was Jephthah had no option but to fight to repel the invasion. Before leading his army in battle he made a vow to the Lord – ‘If thou shalt deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when

The kingdom of Ammon adjoined appointed head and leader of the I return in peace, shall surely be the Israel and sometime after Jephthah was army. He sent a message to the King of Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt expelled the Ammonites declared war Ammon asking why the Ammonites offering’. This promise having been