So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead: The promise of the elders convinces Jephthah to go with them. He leaves the land of Tob and goes back to Gilead to live. As this episode closes, Jephthah and the elders of Gilead again appear in full noun form, which is typical in Hebrew narrative and in many other languages. Translators should use forms that are appropriate in their language.

And the people made him head and leader over them: According to Jephthah’s agreement with the elders, if he was successful in his military campaign, he would become the leader of Gilead. However, this happens even before the battle begins. Significantly it is not just the elders, but the people who make Jephthah their leader. The Hebrew term rendered people (ʿam) is the common one used to refer to the Israelites, the LORD’s people (see verse 2.4). Made renders the key Hebrew verb meaning “put” (sim), which played an important role in the story of Abimelech (see verse 9.25). In verse 10.18 the leaders of Gilead speak of their need for a head, while later in verse 11.6 they speak of the need for a military commander or leader. The use of these two words shows that Jephthah is not assuming a temporary role of leadership. Being the head implies he will lead Israel after the war is won.

And Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD at Mizpah: This clause seems to refer to an official ceremony or solemn occasion marking the time when Jephthah became the leader. No such ceremony is mentioned in relation to the other judges. Jephthah spoke all his words may refer to vows he made or to a repetition of the agreement between him and the elders (verse 11.9-10). The text does not specify what words are in view, but he pronounced them before the LORD at Mizpah. Before the LORD means “in the LORD’s presence,” which might indicate that they were in a sanctuary or holy place at Mizpah (see verse 10.17). Good News Translation says “Jephthah stated his terms at Mizpah in the presence of the LORD,” and Revised English Bible has “And at Mizpah, in the presence of the LORD, Jephthah repeated the terms he had laid down.” We may also say “Then at the sacred place in Mizpah, Jephthah repeated what he had promised in the presence of the LORD.” As noted in these models, the Hebrew waw conjunction at the beginning of this clause may be rendered “And” or “Then,” or be omitted.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .