Judges 11:10

10 The older leaders of Gilead said to him, "The Lord is listening to everything we are saying. We promise to do all that you tell us to do."

Judges 11:10 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 11:10

And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah
Assenting to his proposal, and not only giving their word for it, but their oath:

the Lord be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words;
that is, make him head over them; they appealed to the omniscient God, and called on him to be a witness of their agreement to it, and swore by him they would fulfil it; or if they did not, that the Lord would take vengeance on them for it, and punish the breach of this covenant and oath in some way or another; the Targum of Jonathan is,

``the Word of the Lord be a witness between us''

Judges 11:10 In-Context

8 The older leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "It is because of those troubles that we come to you now. Please come with us and fight against the Ammonites. You will be the ruler over everyone who lives in Gilead."

9 Then Jephthah answered, "If you take me back to Gilead to fight the Ammonites and the Lord helps me win, I will be your ruler."

10 The older leaders of Gilead said to him, "The Lord is listening to everything we are saying. We promise to do all that you tell us to do."

11 So Jephthah went with the older leaders of Gilead, and the people made him their leader and commander of their army. Jephthah repeated all of his words in front of the Lord at Mizpah.

12 Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, asking, "What have you got against Israel? Why have you come to attack our land?"