Introduction
Understanding Greek words is essential for Biblical studies as it provides deeper insights into the cultural, historical, and theological contexts of the scriptures. The Greek word Ἰεφθάε (Iephthae), translated as “Jephthah,” is significant due to its reference to an important Old Testament figure mentioned in the New Testament. Jephthah, a judge of Israel, is known for his leadership in delivering Israel from the Ammonites and his tragic vow concerning his daughter. His story reflects themes of faith, leadership, and the complexities of human choices, providing rich insights for biblical interpretation and understanding ancient Israelite culture.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: Ἰεφθάε, transliterated as Iephthae [yef-THAH-eh].
- Etymology: Derived from the Hebrew יִפְתָּח (Yiphtach), meaning “he opens” or “whom God sets free.”
- Part of Speech: Proper noun, masculine.
- Grammatical Details: Indeclinable noun in Greek; it retains the same form across different grammatical cases.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Jephthah: A judge of Israel, Jephthah is noted for his leadership against the Ammonites and his unfortunate vow, resulting in a tragic outcome for his daughter (Judges 11). He is remembered for his faith, as noted in the New Testament, despite the moral and ethical dilemmas his story presents.
Similar Words: Γεδεών (Gedeon) [ghe-DEH-on], referring to another judge of Israel, Gideon. Both Jephthah and Gideon are mentioned in Hebrews 11 for their faith, highlighting the diversity and complexity of Biblical heroes. Their stories reveal how God used various individuals with different backgrounds and personalities to lead Israel.
Further Insights: The word Ἰεφθάε is an indeclinable noun in Greek, meaning that its form does not change regardless of its role in a sentence. This is typical for names transliterated from Hebrew into Greek, preserving their original structure in Biblical texts. This indeclinability is essential for recognizing the name across different contexts in the scriptures.
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Lexicon Insights
BDAG: Defines Ἰεφθάε as a transliteration of the Hebrew “Jephthah,” a judge of Israel who made a controversial vow to God. BDAG underscores Jephthah’s role in Israel’s history, his military success, and the tragic personal consequences of his vow.
Thayers: Highlights Ἰεφθάε as the Greek form of Jephthah, noting his leadership among the Israelites and his appearance in Hebrews 11:32 as an example of faith, despite his flawed human decisions.
Vines: Discusses Ἰεφθάε in the context of Biblical leadership and the testing of faith. It underscores the complexity of Jephthah’s story and his place in the “Hall of Faith” as a lesson in the cost and consequences of vows.
LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon mentions Ἰεφθάε as a proper name transliterated from Hebrew, focusing on its Biblical context. The entry notes the importance of understanding names like Jephthah within their cultural and historical settings.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists Ἰεφθάε (G2422) as “Jephthah,” referring to the judge of Israel. It emphasizes his faith as recorded in Hebrews and provides a cross-reference to his story in the Book of Judges.
Related Scripture References
- Hebrews 11:32: “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah [Ἰεφθάε], of David and Samuel and the prophets.”
- Judges 11:1 (Septuagint Reference): “Now Jephthah [Ἰεφθάε] the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot.”
- Judges 11:29 (Septuagint Reference): “Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah [Ἰεφθάε], and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Septuagint | Judges 11:29 | “Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah (Ἰεφθάε), and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon.” |
| Septuagint | Judges 12:7 | “And Jephthah (Ἰεφθάε) judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.” |
| Septuagint | 1 Samuel 12:11 | “And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah (Ἰεφθάε), and Samuel, and delivered you from the hand of your enemies all around, so that you lived in security.” |
Summary of Ἰεφθάε (G2422)
The Greek word Ἰεφθάε (Iephthae) refers to Jephthah, an influential judge of Israel mentioned in the Old Testament and celebrated in the New Testament’s “Hall of Faith.” His story, filled with victory and tragedy, provides profound lessons on leadership, faith, and the consequences of vows. As an indeclinable noun in Greek, it retains its form across contexts, reflecting its Hebrew origins. Jephthah’s narrative challenges readers to consider the complexities of human decisions and divine purposes in Biblical history.
Did You Know?
- Jephthah is one of the few judges mentioned in the New Testament as an example of faith despite his morally challenging story.
- His story is a vivid reminder of the importance of being cautious with vows, especially those made to God.
- Jephthah’s leadership style was marked by both bravery and tragedy, showcasing the multi-dimensional nature of Biblical heroes.
This overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the Greek word Ἰεφθάε in Biblical studies, helping both beginners and scholars appreciate its depth and significance.
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