Judges 11:12
New International Version
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: “What do you have against me that you have attacked my country?”

New Living Translation
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of Ammon, asking, “Why have you come out to fight against my land?”

English Standard Version
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites and said, “What do you have against me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?”

King James Bible
And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?

New King James Version
Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, “What do you have against me, that you have come to fight against me in my land?”

New American Standard Bible
So Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, “What conflict do you and I have, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”

NASB 1995
Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, “What is between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”

NASB 1977
Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, “What is between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, “What is between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”

Amplified Bible
Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What is [the problem] between you and me, that you have come against me to fight in my land?”

Christian Standard Bible
Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, asking, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight me in my land? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against me in my land?”

American Standard Version
And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come unto me to fight against my land?

Contemporary English Version
After the ceremony, Jephthah sent messengers to say to the king of Ammon, "Are you trying to start a war? You have invaded my country, and I want to know why!"

English Revised Version
And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come unto me to fight against my land?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jephthah sent messengers to the king of Ammon. They asked the king, "Why did you invade my land and wage war against me?"

Good News Translation
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of Ammon to say, "What is your quarrel with us? Why have you invaded our country?"

International Standard Version
Afterwards, Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites to ask him, "What's your dispute between us that prompted you to come and attack my land?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?”

NET Bible
Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king, saying, "Why have you come against me to attack my land?"

New Heart English Bible
Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, "What have you to do with me, that you are come to me to fight against my land?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou hast come against me to fight in my land?

World English Bible
Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, “What do you have to do with me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jephthah sends messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, “What [is this] to me and to you, that you have come to me, to fight in my land?”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jephthah sendeth messengers unto the king of the Bene-Ammon, saying, 'What -- to me and to thee, that thou hast come in unto me, to fight in my land.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jephthah will send messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, What to me and to thee that thou camest to me to war in my land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, to say in his name, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me, to waste my land?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, who said on his behalf, “What is there between you and me, that you would approach against me, so that you might lay waste to my land?”

New American Bible
Then he sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites to say, “What do you have against me that you come to fight with me in my land?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites and said, “What is there between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What have we against each other, that you have come against me to fight in my land?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Naphthakh sent Messengers to the King of the children of Amon, saying to him: “What business do you have with me that you come to fight in my land?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying: 'What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come unto me to fight against my land?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jephthae sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What have I to do with thee, that thou hast come against me to fight in my land?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Delivers Israel
11So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their leader and commander. And Jephthah repeated all his terms in the presence of the LORD at Mizpah. 12Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?” 13The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah’s messengers, “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and all the way to the Jordan. Now, therefore, restore it peaceably.”…

Cross References
Numbers 20:14-21
From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, / how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, / and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. ...

Deuteronomy 2:26-30
So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying, / “Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. / You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver. Only let us pass through on foot, ...

Joshua 21:43-45
Thus the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled in it. / And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. / Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.

2 Kings 14:8-14
Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. / But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. / You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?” ...

1 Samuel 11:1-11
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” / But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” / “Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” ...

1 Kings 20:2-12
Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, / saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’” / And the king of Israel replied, “Just as you say, my lord the king: I am yours, along with all that I have.” ...

Isaiah 36:4-20
The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me? / Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. ...

2 Chronicles 25:17-24
Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. / But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. / You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?” ...

Jeremiah 27:3-11
Send word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. / Give them a message from the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, to relay to their masters: / By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. ...

Ezekiel 25:12-14
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. / Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

1 Peter 3:11
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you are come against me to fight in my land?

sent messengers.

Numbers 20:14
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:

Numbers 21:21
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Deuteronomy 2:26
And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,

what hast

2 Kings 14:8-12
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face…

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Judges 11
1. The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead
12. The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain
29. Jephthah's vow
32. His conquest of the Ammonites
34. He performs his vow on his daughter.














Then Jephthah
Jephthah, a judge of Israel, is introduced here as a leader who is both a warrior and a diplomat. His name in Hebrew, יִפְתָּח (Yiphtach), means "he opens" or "whom God sets free." This reflects his role as a deliverer of Israel. Historically, Jephthah was the son of Gilead and a harlot, which led to his initial rejection by his family. However, his leadership qualities and military prowess eventually brought him back to lead Israel against their enemies. His account is a testament to God's ability to use the marginalized and rejected for His purposes.

sent messengers
The act of sending messengers indicates a diplomatic approach to conflict resolution. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sending messengers was a common practice for initiating negotiations or delivering important messages. This reflects Jephthah's wisdom and desire to seek peace before resorting to war. It also demonstrates a biblical principle of seeking reconciliation and understanding before engaging in conflict, aligning with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament about peacemaking.

to the king of the Ammonites
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and were often in conflict with Israel. The king of the Ammonites represents the leadership of a nation that had historical and territorial disputes with Israel. Understanding the Ammonites' background provides insight into the longstanding enmity between the two nations. This context highlights the recurring theme in the Bible of Israel's struggle with surrounding nations and the spiritual battles that accompany physical conflicts.

saying, 'What do you have against me
Jephthah's question is direct and seeks to understand the root cause of the conflict. The phrase "What do you have against me" suggests a personal inquiry, reflecting Jephthah's role as the representative of his people. This approach emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in resolving disputes. It also mirrors the biblical principle of addressing grievances directly and seeking clarity in relationships, as seen in Matthew 18:15-17.

that you have come to fight
The phrase "come to fight" indicates an aggressive action taken by the Ammonites. In the Hebrew context, the word for "fight" (לַחֲמוֹת, lachamot) implies a battle or war. This highlights the seriousness of the situation and the threat posed to Israel. The Bible often portrays physical battles as reflections of spiritual warfare, reminding believers of the need to be vigilant and prepared for both physical and spiritual challenges.

against my land?
The term "my land" signifies a sense of ownership and responsibility. For Jephthah, the land represents not only a physical territory but also a divine inheritance given to the Israelites by God. This underscores the biblical theme of the Promised Land and God's covenant with His people. The defense of the land is seen as a defense of God's promises and blessings. It serves as a reminder of the importance of stewardship and faithfulness to God's gifts and commands.

(12) What hast thou to do with me?--Literally, What to me and to thee? (Joshua 22:24; 2Samuel 16:10, &c.). Jephthah speaks in the name of Israel, as an acknowledged prince. His message resembles the preliminary negotiations of the Roman generals when they sent the Fetiales to proclaim the justice of their cause (Liv. i. 24).

Verse 12. - And Jephthah sent, etc. His first attempt was to make an honourable peace by showing that there was no just cause of quarrel. What hast thou to do with me? or, rather, What business, what cause of quarrel, is there between you and me? (he speaks in the name of Israel, as head of the State) what is it all about?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Jephthah
יִפְתָּח֙ (yip̄·tāḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3316: Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

messengers
מַלְאָכִ֔ים (mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of the Ammonites,
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

saying,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“What
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

do you have against me
לִּ֣י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you have come
בָ֥אתָ (ḇā·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to fight
לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

my land?”
בְּאַרְצִֽי׃ (bə·’ar·ṣî)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT History: Judges 11:12 Jephthah sent messengers to the king (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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