Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?”
Parallel translations
- WEB Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, “What have you to do with me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”
- KJV And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?
- NKJV Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, “What do you have against me, that you have come to fight against me in my land?”
- NASB So Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, “What conflict do you and I have, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”
- NLT Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of Ammon, asking, “Why have you come out to fight against my land?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jephthah sends envoys to the Ammonite king, asking why he wages war on Israel's land. He seeks a peaceful resolution first.
Overview
Before fighting, Jephthah opens diplomacy, challenging the basis of Ammon's aggression. His attempt at negotiation shows prudence and a desire to avoid needless bloodshed. The exchange that follows will rest Israel's case on history and on the LORD's prior dealings, modeling reasoned appeal before resorting to war.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Matt 18:15–16If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- Deut 2:26So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying,
- Prov 25:8–9do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
- Num 21:21Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
- Num 20:14From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us,
- Deut 20:10–11When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace.
- 2 Kgs 14:8–12Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Israel's cycle of sin and rescue through flawed deliverers cries out for a Savior who never fails — the true and final Judge and Deliverer who saves his people not for a season but forever.
How Judges 11:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.