Judges 11:2
Throughout this verse, Jephthah’s family dynamic comes into sharp focus, highlighting the tensions that arise from issues of inheritance and parentage in ancient Israel. We read, *“Gilead’s wife also bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, ‘You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.’” (Judges 11:2, NASB-95)* This statement begins by noting that Jephthah’s father, Gilead, had other sons through his rightful wife, and as they matured, they rejected Jephthah on the basis of his mother’s background. The phrase *“son of another woman” (v.2)* underscores the social stigma that followed Jephthah, suggesting the precarious nature of inheritance if one’s lineage was called into question.
In the era of the Judges (approximately 1375–1050 BC), inheritance was fundamentally tied to honor and survival. Jephthah is recognized as a formidable figure who would eventually serve as a judge or deliverer for Israel (Judges 11:29–40). Yet here in verse 2, we witness how the societal norms of that time pressured his half-brothers to cast him out, effectively denying him of property or status within his family’s house. Gilead, the region and namesake of his father, was located east of the Jordan River, known for its mountainous terrain and historical significance as a territory often contested among Israel’s tribes. Jephthah, taking refuge apart from his brothers, would later become instrumental in defending Israel, proving that the rejection he faced was part of a greater plan.
This verse foreshadows themes found later in Scripture, where individuals like David and even Jesus faced rejection from those who should have supported them (2 Samuel 16:8; John 1:11). The heartbreak of being cast out resonates with many biblical accounts, pointing ahead to the One who was disowned by His people yet became the cornerstone (Isaiah 53:3; Mark 12:10). For Jephthah, the conflict in his home would set the stage for his reliance on God for provision and victory, a pattern that embodies trust in the midst of hardship.
Jephthah’s expulsion by his siblings underscores how God can use the marginalized for His purposes.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 2:11-15 meaning. The Israelites fall into idolatry, abandoning the Lord to serve the Baals and Ashtaroth. This disobedience provokes God’s anger, leading to their oppression by enemies and severe distress, as He fulfills the warnings given to them.
- Judges 5:9-11 meaning. This passage continues Deborah’s song of victory, praising the leaders and volunteers of Israel for their courage in battle. She calls on various groups in Israel to join in celebrating the Lord’s righteous deeds, which brought deliverance to the oppressed people. The song emphasizes the importance of remembering and recounting God’s works, as His people now emerge from oppression to freedom.
- Judges 1:11-15 meaning. Caleb offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever captures Kiriath-sepher. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, successfully captures the city and marries Achsah. Achsah then asks Caleb for a field and additional water resources, and Caleb grants her the upper and lower springs.