Judges 11:2
And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.
Judges 11:2 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Judges illustrates a common theme found throughout the Bible - the concept of familial rejection and strife. In this particular case, Gilead's wife bears him sons who grow up to reject Jephthah, their half-brother, because he is the son of a different mother. This rejection is a manifestation of the division and discrimination often seen within families, where blood ties are used to dictate a person's worth and status. Jephthah's exclusion from his father's house serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of inheritance and lineage in ancient times, where being born to a different mother could result in being ostracized and denied one's rightful inheritance. This verse sheds light on the complexities of family dynamics and the implications of inherited status, highlighting the need for compassion, acceptance, and reconciliation within our own families and communities.
Theological Overview
In this verse from the book of Judges, we see a significant insight into the family and society dynamics of ancient times. The rejection of Jephthah by his half-brothers because he was the son of a "strange woman" (meaning a foreign or outsider) is a reflection of the tribal and cultural prejudices of that era. The theological interpretation of this verse could highlight the themes of exclusion, discrimination, and the importance of acceptance and equality in the eyes of God. Additionally, a word study on phrases like "strange woman" could provide further context on the cultural significance of such terminology in the biblical context. Overall, this passage serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the need for compassion and understanding in all interactions, both in biblical times and in contemporary society.
Judges 11:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and when his wife's sons grew up, they drove out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of another woman.
World English Bible
Gilead’s wife bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove out Jephthah, and said to him, “You shall not inherit in our father’s house; for you are the son of another woman.”
Douay-Rheims
Now Galaad had a wife of whom he had sons: who, after they were grown up, thrust out Jephte, saying: Thou canst not inherit in the house of our father, because thou art born of another mother.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Gileads wife bare him sonnes, and when the womans children were come to age, they thrust out Iphtah, and sayd vnto him, Thou shalt not inherite in our fathers house: for thou art the sonne of a strange woman.