Judges 11:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jephthah vows that whatever comes out of his house to meet him on his return will be the LORD's.
What Does Judges 11:31 Mean?
Jephthah completes his vow with rash and sweeping words: whatever first comes out of his house to meet him on his victorious return shall be the LORD's, offered up. He binds himself before he can know what those words will cost.
The vow is offered in zeal but without wisdom, and its open-ended terms will become a source of grief. Scripture sets it before us plainly, without softening it. It stands as a solemn warning that devotion to God must be joined to thoughtfulness, lest hasty words lead the heart into sorrow it never intended.
Judges 11:31 in the Original Language
olah (עֹלָה), 'burnt offering' -- a sacrifice wholly given over to God, ascending in smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 11:31
What does Judges 11:31 mean?
Jephthah vows that whatever comes out of his house to meet him on his return will be the LORD's.