JEPHTHAH VOWED THAT IF HE DEFEATED THE AMMONITES HE WOULD

• A. sacrifice his daughter as a burnt offering
• B. slay all the Ammonites
• C. offer the first thing which came to meet him out of his house to the Lord ✓
• D. punish the Ephraimites for not supporting him
• E. destroy the altars of Baal

The answer to the question is: C. offer the first thing which came to meet him out of his house to the Lord

This vow is described in the biblical Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 11:30-31.

Jephthah, a judge in Israel, made a rash vow to God before going into battle against the Ammonites. He vowed that if he was granted victory, he would offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of the doors of his house to meet him upon his return. Unfortunately, it was his daughter who came out to greet him, and he felt bound by his vow to sacrifice her.

The Outcome:

Despite Jephthah’s deep distress at having to fulfill his vow, there are differing interpretations among scholars regarding whether or not he actually carried out the sacrifice of his daughter. Some argue that he did indeed sacrifice her, while others suggest that she was dedicated to a life of service in the tabernacle instead.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

Jephthah’s vow and its consequences raise significant moral and ethical questions about the nature of vows, the importance of careful consideration before making commitments, and the implications of blindly following through on extreme promises.

Lessons Learned:

This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of making impulsive vows and highlights the importance of thoughtful reflection before making solemn promises, especially those that may have severe or irreversible consequences.