The story of jephthah’s promise – यिप्तह के वादे की कहानी
The story of Jephthah’s Promise is found in the Book of Judges in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in Judges 11:29-40.
Jephthah was a mighty warrior from the land of Gilead. However, he was born to a prostitute and was consequently rejected by his half-brothers, who drove him away from his family inheritance.
The Ammonites, a neighboring nation, waged war against the Israelites. In their desperation, the elders of Gilead approached Jephthah and asked him to lead them into battle against the Ammonites.
Before going to battle, Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, promising that if God granted him victory over the Ammonites, he would sacrifice whatever came out of his house to greet him upon his return as a burnt offering.
Empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, Jephthah led the Israelites to a decisive victory over the Ammonites.
Upon returning home, Jephthah’s only child, his daughter, came out to greet him with timbrels and dancing. Distressed by his vow and its implications, Jephthah tore his clothes in anguish.
Despite his grief, Jephthah felt obligated to fulfill his vow to the Lord. He explained the situation to his daughter, who accepted her fate and asked for a brief respite to mourn her virginity with her friends.
After two months, Jephthah fulfilled his vow, and his daughter submitted to be sacrificed as a burnt offering. The text states that this became a custom in Israel for daughters of Israel to lament the daughter of Jephthah four days each year.
The story of Jephthah’s Promise is a tragic tale of the consequences of making rash vows and the importance of carefully considering the implications of one’s words before making commitments to God. It also highlights the complexity of the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel.
The story of jephthah’s promise – यिप्तह के वादे की कहानी
