JEPHTHAH, ninth judge of the Israelites, B.c. 1256-50, illegitimate son of Gilead, of the tribe of Manasseh. Driven from home by his brothers, who were born in wed lock, he removed to the land of Tob, beyond the 'Hebrew frontier. He was distinguished for bravery and skill in arms, and was the leader of a number of adventurous men whose fortunes were as desperate as his own. He led a band of brigands, whose profession is considered, in the cast, one not destitute of honor if exercised in moderation and against natural enemies, public or private. He vas chosen rapt. of the Israelitish forces in their opposition to the Anunonites, and accepted the position, with the stipulation that, if vic tory attended their arms, he should still remain their ruler. His dipldmatic dealings with the Athmonites in the preliminary movements have been deemed worthy of notice; they being the original owners of the land, which he claimed by right of conquest, fight ing the battle on that issue. He defeated them with great slaughter in several pitched battles, and pursued them to utter discomfiture and rout. Ile made a vow to the Lord, that if he would deliver the Ammonites into his hands, whoever should come out of the door of his house, in Mizpeh, to meet him on his return, he would offer up to the Lord as a burnt-offering. Ills daughter met him, and it is written "lee did with her accord
ing to his Vow." There has been much debate whether lie sacrificed her life, or dedicated her in perpetual virginity to the Lord. The case remains doubtful; but the belief pre ponderates with scholars that a ransom, not unusual under Jewish law in eases involving human life, was given in substitute for her life, which thereafter was regarded as devoted to God. The whole drift of the Mosaic law is well known to have been utterly against human sacrifices in the worship of Jehovah He conquered the Ephraimites, and, con trolling the fords of the Jordan, slew all who, on being required as they passed over to pronounce the word "shibboleth" (an ear of corn), gave the word " sibboleth" without the aspirate, thereby revealing themselves as Epbraimites. He was buried in a city of his native Gilead.