JEPHTHAH, one of the judges of Israel, in the Bible, was a son of Gilead by a secondary wife, and, being expelled from his father's house by his brethren, took refuge in the Syrian land of Tob, where he gathered around him a powerful band of homeless men like himself. The Ammonites pressing hard on his country men, the elders of Gilead called for his help, which he consented to give on condition that in the event of victory he should be made their head (Judges xi. 7). His name is best known in history and literature in connection with his vow, which led to the sacrifice of his daughter on his successful return. The annual
lamentation of the women for her death suggests a mythical origin (see ADoNis). Attached to the narrative is an account of a quarrel between Jephthah and the Ephraimites. The latter were defeated, and their retreat was cut off by the Gileadites, who had seized the fords of the Jordan. As the fugitives attempted to cross they were bidden to say "shibboleth," and those who said "sibboleth" (the Ephraimites apparently being unused to sh), were put to death.