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33 He inflicted a very severe defeat on them from Aroer to the approach of Minnith—twenty cities in all—and as far as Abel-keramin. So the Ammonites were brought into subjection by the Israelites. 34 When Jephthah returned to his house in Mizpah, it was his daughter who came out to meet him, with tambourine-playing and dancing. She was his only child: he had neither son nor daughter besides her. 35 When he saw her, he tore his garments and said, “Ah, my daughter! You have struck me down and brought calamity upon me. For I have made a vow[a] to the Lord and I cannot take it back.”(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 11:35 Made a vow: lit., “opened my mouth”; so in v. 36.

33 He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith,(A) as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.

34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing(B) to the sound of timbrels!(C) She was an only child.(D) Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes(E) and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.(F)

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