Judges 11:40 (KJV)

What does Judges 11:40 mean?

Judges 11:40 describes how, every year, the young women of Israel would go out for four days to mourn or remember the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite. This verse shows that her story became a lasting tradition among the people of Israel.

The verse comes at the end of the account where Jephthah, a judge of Israel, made a vow that led to the tragic fate of his only daughter. The daughters of Israel (meaning the young women) would gather each year to honor her memory, reflecting the impact her story had on the community and how it was remembered in their culture.

The Hebrew behind Judges 11:40

• "lament" (תָּנָה, tanah): This word can mean to mourn, commemorate, or recount. Some readers note that it might not only mean to grieve, but also to tell her story or celebrate her memory, which could suggest a broader tradition than just mourning.
• "four days in a year" (אַרְבַּעַת יָמִים בַּשָּׁנָה, arba‘at yamim bashanah): The verse specifies a set period—four days each year—showing that this was a regular, communal event, not a one-time act.

Why Judges 11:40 matters

• Judges 11:40 clarifies that Jephthah’s daughter’s fate was not forgotten, but became a part of Israel’s collective memory and tradition, especially among young women.
• The verse emphasizes the seriousness of vows and the lasting consequences of Jephthah’s actions, as seen in the community’s response.
• This tradition of remembrance connects the story to the broader themes of Judges, where the actions of leaders have deep and lasting effects on the people.