Judges 11:9 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, 'If you bring me back home to fight against the Ammonites, and the LORD gives me victory over them, will I become your leader?'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Jephthah is negotiating the terms of his leadership, wanting assurance that if God gives him victory over their enemies, he will be made the permanent leader of Gilead.

📚 Historical Context

Jephthah was an outcast son of Gilead who had been driven away by his half-brothers and became a warrior leader of outcasts. The elders of Gilead came to him in desperation when the Ammonites threatened them, seeking his military leadership. This negotiation shows Jephthah wanting permanent leadership, not just temporary command during the crisis.

Explore Similar Verses

Judges 11:5

When the Ammonites started fighting against Israel, the leaders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob.

Judges 11:8

The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, 'That's exactly why we're coming back to you now—so you can go with us and fight against the Ammonites, and be our leader over everyone who lives in Gilead.'

Judges 11:6

And they said to Jephthah, 'Come and be our leader, so we can fight against the Ammonites.'

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