dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (08/10/83)
The well-known Soncino Books of the Bible series, a 14-volume edition of the Tanach in Hebrew with English translation and commentaries, has the following to say (commentary on the Book of Judges by Judah J. Slotki, M.A., Ph.D.): (Judges 11:36) "And she said unto him: `My father ... do unto me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth'" The words make it evident that a dreadful fate was in store for her. What exactly it was is not told. Expositors differ on this point; but that she became a human sacrifice is by no means certain. The Israelite ethical code was strictly opposed to it; and it is probable that, even if her father had intended it, the people would have prevented it, as they saved the life of Jonathan (cf. I Sam. xiv. 45). (11:39) "And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed; and she had not known man." A veil is drawn over the final scene. Jephthah is said to have built a house for her in which she lived a solitary life until she died (Kimchi). [Kimchi is David Kimchi, 1160-1235, rabbinic commentator] Dave Sherman, Toronto -- {linus,cornell,watmath,ihnp4,floyd,allegra,utzoo,uw-beaver}!utcsrgv!dave