Judges 11:35 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Seeing his daughter, Jephthah tears his clothes in grief, anguished over the vow he cannot retract.
What Does Judges 11:35 Mean?
At the sight of his daughter, Jephthah's triumph collapses into mourning. He rends his clothes and cries out in anguish, for he has opened his mouth unto the LORD and feels he cannot go back. His grief is real and deep; the cost of his vow has come home.
The verse lays bare a father's heartbreak. Jephthah does not blame God but feels bound by his own word. His sorrow is a window into the danger of rash speech before heaven. We are meant to feel the weight here, and to learn reverence and care in what we promise to the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 11:35
What does Judges 11:35 mean?
Seeing his daughter, Jephthah tears his clothes in grief, anguished over the vow he cannot retract.