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
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