33 He [a]inflicted a very great defeat on them from Aroer [b]to the entrance of (A)Minnith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel-keramim. So the sons of Ammon were subdued before the sons of Israel.

34 But Jephthah came to his house at (B)Mizpah, and behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him (C)with tambourines and with dancing. And she was his one and only child; besides her he had no son or daughter. 35 So when he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Oh, my daughter! You have brought me disaster, and you are among those who trouble me; for I have [c]given my word to the Lord, and (D)I cannot take it back.”

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 11:33 Lit struck a...blow
  2. Judges 11:33 Lit even until you are coming to
  3. Judges 11:35 Lit opened my mouth wide

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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