How could Jephthah be named in the Hall of Faith if he committed child sacrifice?
Author: Mark Ward. Six reasons to believe that Jephthah, the (in)famous OT judge did & did not actually sacrifice his daughter. Judges 11:39 says very clearly that Jephthah “did with her according to his vow which he had vowed.” The idea that she wasn’t sacrificed but just consigned to an unmarried state and a life of celibacy didn’t pop up, as best we know, until a major Jewish commentator named Kimchi well-meaningly suggested it in the Middle Ages . So this idea is almost 1,000 years old. But the story is over 3,000 years old. That’s because of reason three, that a great military leader making an important vow before the biggest battle of his life isn’t going to promise his God a dog. And sheep are unlikely to be the first animals out the door to greet you when you come home. They’re too dumb; they’re going to be in the back bedroom saying, “Duh, what’s going on? Where is everybody?” while the much smarter animals are already getting their treats out...