Judges 11:31 then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."

◄ Judges 11:31 ►

New International Version
whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

New Living Translation
I will give to the LORD whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

English Standard Version
then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”

Berean Standard Bible
then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

King James Bible
Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

New King James Version
then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

New American Standard Bible
then whatever comes out the doors of my house to meet me when I return safely from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

NASB 1995
then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

NASB 1977
then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

Legacy Standard Bible
then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be Yahweh’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

Amplified Bible
then whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites, it shall be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

Christian Standard Bible
whoever comes out the doors of my house to greet me when I return safely from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer that person as a burnt offering.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
whatever comes out of the doors of my house to greet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it as a burnt offering.”

American Standard Version
then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be Jehovah's, and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering.

Contemporary English Version
and come home safely, I will sacrifice to you whoever comes out to meet me first."

English Revised Version
then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
then whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return safely from Ammon will belong to the LORD. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."

Good News Translation
I will burn as an offering the first person that comes out of my house to meet me, when I come back from the victory. I will offer that person to you as a sacrifice."

International Standard Version
then if I return from the Ammonites without incident, whatever comes out the doors of my house to meet me will become the LORD's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."

Majority Standard Bible
then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

NET Bible
then whoever is the first to come through the doors of my house to meet me when I return safely from fighting the Ammonites--he will belong to the LORD and I will offer him up as a burnt sacrifice."

New Heart English Bible
then it shall be that whatever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, it shall be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then it shall be, that whatever cometh out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it for a burnt-offering.

World English Bible
then it shall be, that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be Yahweh’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
then it has been, that which comes out from the doors of my house at all to meet me in my turning back in peace from the sons of Ammon—it has been for YHWH, or I have offered up a burnt-offering for it.”

Young's Literal Translation
then it hath been, that which at all cometh out from the doors of my house to meet me in my turning back in peace from the Bene-Ammon -- it hath been to Jehovah, or I have offered up for it -- a burnt-offering.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was, that coming forth which shall come forth from the doors of my house to my meeting in my turning back in peace from the sons of Ammon, and it was to Jehovah; and I brought it up a burnt-offering.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Whosoever shall first come forth out of the doors of my house, and shall meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, the same will I offer a holocaust to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
whoever will be the first to depart from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, the same will I offer as a holocaust to the Lord.”

New American Bible
“whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return from the Ammonites in peace shall belong to the LORD. I shall offer him up as a burnt offering.”

New Revised Standard Version
then whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return victorious from the Ammonites, shall be the LORD’s, to be offered up by me as a burnt offering.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then whosoever comes forth of the door of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer him up for a burnt offering.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Whatever proceeds from the door of my house to meet me when I have come in peace from the sons of Amon shall be for LORD JEHOVAH, and I shall offer it up for a burnt offering!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
then it shall come to pass that whosoever shall first come out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, he shall be the Lord's: I will offer him up for a whole-burnt-offering.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jephthah's Tragic Vow
…30Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, 31then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” 32So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hand.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 22:2-13
“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” / So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated. / On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. ...

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

2 Kings 3:27
So he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. And there was great fury against the Israelites, so they withdrew and returned to their own land.

Leviticus 27:28-29
Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.

Numbers 30:2
If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

Psalm 66:13-14
I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You— / the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

1 Samuel 14:24-45
Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. / Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. / And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ...

2 Samuel 21:7-9
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. / But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. / And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD. So all seven of them fell together; they were put to death in the first days of the harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Treasury of Scripture

Then it shall be, that whatever comes forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

whatsoever.

Leviticus 27:2,3,28,29
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation…

1 Samuel 1:11,28
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head…

1 Samuel 2:18
But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

and I will.

Leviticus 27:11,12
And if it be any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, then he shall present the beast before the priest: …

Deuteronomy 23:18
Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Psalm 66:13
I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

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Ammon Burned Burnt Burnt-Offering Children Door Doors House Jehovah's LORD's Meet Meeting Offer Offering Peace Sacrifice Surely Triumph Victorious Whatever Whatsoever

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Ammon Burned Burnt Burnt-Offering Children Door Doors House Jehovah's LORD's Meet Meeting Offer Offering Peace Sacrifice Surely Triumph Victorious Whatever Whatsoever

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.

Berean Study Bible

whatever comes out of the door of my house
This phrase is pivotal in understanding the gravity of Jephthah's vow. The Hebrew word for "whatever" (אֲשֶׁר, 'asher) can also mean "whoever," indicating that Jephthah might have been aware that a human could be the subject of his vow. The cultural context of ancient Israelite society often involved animals being kept within the household, which might suggest Jephthah expected an animal to emerge. However, the tragic outcome reveals the potential for human emergence, highlighting the seriousness and potential recklessness of vows made to God.

to greet me
The act of greeting in ancient Near Eastern culture was significant, often involving gestures of respect and hospitality. The Hebrew root for "greet" (יָצָא, yatsa) implies coming out to meet someone, which was a common practice for family members or servants. This adds a layer of expectation that someone close to Jephthah, possibly a family member, would be the first to come out, underscoring the personal nature of his vow.

when I return in triumph
Jephthah's confidence in returning victorious is evident here. The Hebrew word for "triumph" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) is often translated as "peace" or "wholeness," suggesting a complete and successful return. This reflects Jephthah's faith in God's deliverance, yet it also foreshadows the irony of his victory being marred by personal loss. The historical context of the Judges period was one of cyclical sin and deliverance, where leaders like Jephthah were raised to deliver Israel from oppression, emphasizing the divine empowerment behind his anticipated triumph.

from the Ammonites
The Ammonites were a perennial enemy of Israel, often engaging in territorial disputes and warfare. Understanding the historical enmity between Israel and Ammon provides insight into the desperation and intensity of Jephthah's vow. The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, were related to the Israelites, yet their relationship was fraught with conflict. This context highlights the broader narrative of Israel's struggle to maintain its covenant identity amidst surrounding pagan nations.

will belong to the LORD
The phrase "will belong to the LORD" signifies a dedication or consecration to God. The Hebrew root (לַיהוָה, la-YHWH) indicates a transfer of ownership or devotion. In the context of ancient Israel, such dedications were serious and binding, often involving sacrifices or lifelong service. This reflects the gravity of vows made to God and the expectation of fulfillment, underscoring the sacredness of one's word and the seriousness with which God views promises made to Him.

and I will offer it as a burnt offering
The concept of a "burnt offering" (עוֹלָה, olah) in Hebrew tradition was one of complete consumption by fire, symbolizing total surrender to God. This type of offering was meant to atone for sin and express devotion. Jephthah's vow to offer "it" as a burnt offering reveals his intent to demonstrate ultimate devotion and gratitude to God for victory. However, the tragic outcome of his vow serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thoughtful and wise commitments to God, reminding believers of the need for discernment and the gravity of our words before the Lord.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) Whatsoever cometh forth.--The true rendering undoubtedly is, Whosoever cometh forth (LXX., ? ?????????????; Vulg., quicunque). Nothing can be clearer than that the view held of this passage, from early Jewish days down to the Middle Ages, and still held by nearly all unbiased commentators, is the true one, and alone adequately explains the text: viz., that Jephthah, ignorant as he was--being a man of semi-heathen parentage, and long familiarised with heathen surroundings--contemplated a human sacrifice. To say that he imagined that an animal would "come forth of the doors of his house to meet him" on his triumphant return is a notion which even St. Augustine ridicules. The offer to sacrifice a single animal--even if we could suppose an animal "coming forth to meet" Jephthah--would be strangely inadequate. It would be assumed as a matter of course that not one, but many holocausts of animals would express the gratitude of Israel. Pfeiffer sensibly observes (Dub. vexata, p. 356): "What kind of vow would it be if some great prince or general should say, 'O God, if Thou wilt give me this victory, the first calf that meets me shall be Thine?'" Jephthah left God, as it were, to choose His own victim, and probably anticipated that it would be some slave. The notion of human sacrifice was all but universal among ancient nations, and it was specially prevalent among the Syrians, among whom Jephthah had lived for so many years, and among the Ph?nicians, whose gods had been recently adopted by the Israelites (Judges 10:6). Further than this, it was the peculiar worship of the Moabites and Ammonites, against whom Jephthah was marching to battle; and one who had been a rude freebooter, in a heathen country and a lawless epoch, when constant and grave violations of the Law were daily tolerated, might well suppose in his ignorance that Jehovah would need to be propitiated by some offering as costly as those which bled on the altars of Chemosh and Moloch. Human sacrifice had been "the first thought of Balak in the extremity of his terror" (Micah 6:7), and "the last expedient of Balak's successor" (2Kings 3:27)--Stanley, i. 358. If it be urged that after the great lesson which had been taught to Abraham at Jehovah-jireh the very notion of human sacrifice ought to have become abhorrent to any Israelite, especially as it had been expressly forbidden in the Law (Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 12:31, &c), one more than sufficient answer is that even in the wilderness Israel had been guilty of Moloch-worship (Ezekiel 20:26; Jeremiah 49:1; Melcom, Amos 5:26; Acts 7:43). The Law was one thing; the knowledge of it and the observance of it was quite another. During this period we find the Law violated again and again, even by judges like Gideon and Samson; and the tendency to violate it by human sacrifices lasted down to the far more enlightened and civilised days of Ahaz and Manasseh (2Chronicles 28:3; 2Chronicles 33:6). Indeed, we find the priests expressly sanctioning, even in the palmiest days of David's reign, an execution which, to the vulgar, would bear an aspect not far removed from human sacrifice, or (rather) which might easily be confused with the spirit which led to it (2Samuel 21:1-9). If, again, it be said that the possibility of Jephthah's being guilty of so rash and evil a vow is excluded by the phrase that "the Spirit of the Lord came upon him," such reasoning is to substitute idle fancies for clear facts. The Spirit of the Lord "clothed" Gideon, yet he set up an illegal worship. The "Spirit of the Lord" came upon Saul (1Samuel 19:23), yet Saul contemplated slaying his own son out of regard for no less foolish a vow (1Samuel 14:44). The "Spirit of the Lord" came upon David "from that day forward" on which Samuel anointed him (1Samuel 16:13), yet he could sink into adultery and murder. The phrase must not be interpreted of high or permanent spiritual achievement, but of Divine strength granted for a particular end. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

then whatever
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

comes out
הַיּוֹצֵ֗א (hay·yō·w·ṣê)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of the door
מִדַּלְתֵ֤י (mid·dal·ṯê)
Preposition-m | Noun - fdc
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

of my house
בֵיתִי֙ (ḇê·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1004: A house

to greet me
לִקְרָאתִ֔י (liq·rā·ṯî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

on my triumphant
בְשָׁל֖וֹם (ḇə·šā·lō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

return
בְּשׁוּבִ֥י (bə·šū·ḇî)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from the Ammonites
מִבְּנֵ֣י (mib·bə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

will belong to
וְהָיָ֣ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the LORD,
לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and I will offer it up
וְהַעֲלִיתִ֖הוּ (wə·ha·‘ă·lî·ṯi·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

as a burnt offering.”
עוֹלָֽה׃ (‘ō·w·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

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OT History: Judges 11:31 Then it shall be that whatever comes (Jd Judg. Jdg)