The narrator gives more details on Jephthah’s family background, but it is hard to know whether real blood brothers are being referred to or whether the people of Gilead (described as his brothers) are rejecting him.
And Gilead’s wife also bore him sons: And renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, which introduces more background information here. Depending on the language, it might also be translated “But.” However, many versions omit it here. Gilead’s wife seems to refer to Jephthah’s step-mother, and if so, these sons would be Jephthah’s half-brothers. This would be another point of similarity to Abimelech. But this clause could also refer to the “land” giving birth to many other “sons of Gilead.” Translators again will probably want to maintain the ambiguity (see verse 11.1). The Hebrew verb rendered bore is the same one translated “was the father of” in verse 11.1. The Hebrew word for sons can also mean “children,” but in Israelite culture sons were more frequently mentioned, so Revised Standard Version‘s rendering is more likely here.
And when his wife’s sons grew up: This is an independent clause in Hebrew, which is literally “and the sons of the wife/woman grew up.” His wife refers to Gilead’s wife, the mother of Jephthah’s half-brothers. The Hebrew verb rendered grew up can either mean “grow up” in the sense of becoming an adult, or “become great” in the sense of becoming powerful. The first sense is probably in view.
They thrust Jephthah out: The pronoun they refers to the half-brothers of Jephthah or to other inhabitants in the land. Thrust … out renders the Hebrew verb translated “drive … out” in verse 2.3 (see comments there). Here this verb may be translated “rejected” or “expelled.” Good News Translation says “they forced Jephthah to leave home.” He is run out of his place of birth.
And said to him may be rendered “and they told him.”
You shall not inherit in our father’s house is a literal rendering. The Hebrew verb rendered inherit can mean “come into possession of property,” as when the people inherited the land of Canaan, or “receive a share in the family’s goods,” as when a father dies. The half-brothers of Jephthah, that is, the people of Gilead, did not want to share their inheritance with one who did not fully belong to their family. These people considered themselves true sons, while Jephthah was considered a half-breed. There is a tone of exclusiveness in the phrase our father’s house. As elsewhere, house refers to the family. We might say “You do not have a right to [claim] any of our family’s/father’s goods” or “You won’t inherit anything from our father.”
For you are the son of another woman: For renders the Hebrew particle ki, which introduces the reason for the half-brothers’ rejection of Jephthah. They reject him because he does not have the same mother as they do. You renders an emphatic pronoun in Hebrew. This emphasis may be expressed by beginning with “As for you, you’re just…” or “You, you’re just….” Woman renders the same Hebrew word (ʾishshah) translated wife. Here the meaning is certainly woman. Another means “different,” implying that the origins of Jephthah do not measure up to their own. If the context is that of a real family situation, this clause would mean that these people do not share the same mother with Jephthah. If a wider interpretation is made, then the people of Gilead are not recognizing him as part of their clan. We might say “You are not a legitimate son.”
Translation models for this verse are:
• Gilead’s wife also gave birth to many other sons, and when they grew up, they chased Jephthah away. They said to him, “You’re not a legitimate son. You’re not going to inherit anything from our father.”
• But the land of Gideon had many sons, and as they became more powerful, they drove Jephthah out from Gilead, saying to him, “You won’t inherit anything here. You’re not one of us!”
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 .