This research paper, written by John Matthews at Reformed Theological Seminary – Charlotte for Dr. William Ross, analyzes the meaning of Jephthah’s vow in Judges 11:29–40 and its place within Deuteronomistic History. Matthews investigates whether Jephthah intended a literal human sacrifice or an act of consecration, ultimately concluding that the vow revealed the tragic moral decline of Israel during the period of the judges.
Through detailed exegesis and engagement with Hebrew syntax, cultural context, and comparative theology, the paper argues that Jephthah’s vow stemmed from syncretistic worship influenced by surrounding Canaanite practices. Matthews shows how this event exposes Israel’s spiritual decay and distorted understanding of covenant obedience.
Finally, the study connects Jephthah’s tragic act to redemptive history—contrasting human attempts to manipulate divine favor with Christ’s perfect, obedient sacrifice. The result is both a sobering reflection on misplaced zeal and a theological call to worship grounded in grace rather than transaction.
Course and semester: OT5350 Joshua–Esther — Spring 2024
