KJV ORIGINAL
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
When Jephthah returned home to Mizpeh, his daughter came out to celebrate with him, playing tambourines and dancing. She was his only child—he had no other sons or daughters.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse shows Jephthah's daughter joyfully celebrating her father's victory, not knowing about the terrible vow he made that would cost her life.
📚 Historical Context
Jephthah had just defeated the Ammonites in battle, but before the fight he made a rash vow to God that he would sacrifice whatever came out of his house first to greet him if he won. In ancient Israel, it was customary for women to celebrate military victories with music and dancing, as his daughter does here.
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