Judg 11:35 | TNotes | STEP | 11:35 Having made an impulsive vow , Jephthah now compounded his folly by blaming the result on his daughter and by failing to respond in light of Scripture. Vows taken were usually inviolable (Num 30:2 ), though the Old Testament recognizes a few circumstances under which an unwise vow could be set aside (Num 30:6-8 ). Since human sacrifice was forbidden in the law, a substitute could have been made (see Lev 27:1-8 ). Jephthah was apparently unaware of these principles in God’s law, perhaps because of his upbringing in an area far from Israel’s major centers.

bNum 30:2►

cNum 30:6-8►

dLev 27:1-8►

‏ Judges 11:35

11:35 ^a Having made an impulsive vow, Jephthah now compounded his folly by blaming the result on his daughter and by failing to respond in light of Scripture. Vows taken were usually inviolable (Num 30:2 ^b), though the Old Testament recognizes a few circumstances under which an unwise vow could be set aside (Num 30:6-8 ^c). Since human sacrifice was forbidden in the law, a substitute could have been made (see Lev 27:1-8 ^d). Jephthah was apparently unaware of these principles in God’s law, perhaps because of his upbringing in an area far from Israel’s major centers.