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Judges 11:12

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?

Judges 11:12 · King James Version

Meaning

In this verse, we see Jephthah, a judge of Israel, sending a message to the king of the Ammonites questioning their invasion of Israelite territory. The phrase "What hast thou to do with me" is a common idiomatic phrase in ancient Israelite culture, meaning "what business do you have with me?" Jephthah is essentially asking the king of the Ammonites what their reason is for fighting against him and his people. By sending messengers to inquire about the Ammonites' intentions, Jephthah is seeking clarification and attempting to resolve the conflict peacefully. This verse highlights the importance of communication and diplomacy in resolving conflicts, as it shows Jephthah's willingness to engage in dialogue before resorting to violence. It also showcases Jephthah's leadership and strategic thinking as he navigates a potentially dangerous situation with a neighboring kingdom.

Theological Overview

In the book of Judges, chapter 11, verse 12, we see Jephthah, the ninth judge of Israel, sending messengers to the king of the children of Ammon. Jephthah's message displays a sense of self-defense and a bit of confusion as to why the king would come against him in battle. The phrase "What hast thou to do with me" can be interpreted as a rhetorical question, questioning the motive behind the king's aggression. This verse showcases Jephthah's desire for peace and shows that he is willing to communicate and negotiate before resorting to war. The theological interpretation of this verse can revolve around the themes of diplomacy, conflict resolution, and the importance of seeking understanding before engaging in battle. Word studies on this verse can further delve into the nuances of the original Hebrew text to uncover deeper meanings and implications of the words used by Jephthah in his message to the king of Ammon.

Judges 11:12 in other translations

American Standard Version

And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come unto me to fight against my land?

World English Bible

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?”

Douay-Rheims

And he sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, to say in his name: What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me, to waste my land?

Geneva Bible (1599)

Then Iphtah sent messengers vnto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to doe with me, that thou art come against me, to fight in my lande?