"Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Jephthah Meaning in the Bible
Jephthah
boy
Jephthah means "He opens; God opens", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Jephthah appears in the King James Bible, and Judges 11:1 is the passage most often tied to it. Jephthah — rejected, recalled, and ultimately remembered in faith — teaches that God uses the outcast and the overlooked. But his rash vow warns: never promise God something you haven't thought through.
Is Jephthah in the Bible?
Yes — Jephthah appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 11:1.
Pronunciation:/JEF-thuh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHe opens; God opens
What does Jephthah mean?
Jephthah is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "He opens; God opens". Jephthah means "he opens" or "God opens" in Hebrew. He was one of Israel's judges — a mighty warrior who rose from rejection to become his people's deliverer, yet whose rash vow led to one of Scripture's most heartbreaking outcomes.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Jephthah mean in the Bible?
Jephthah means "He opens; God opens" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Jephthah means "he opens" or "God opens" in Hebrew. He was one of Israel's judges — a mighty warrior who rose from rejection to become his people's deliverer, yet whose rash vow led to one of Scripture's most heartbreaking outcomes.
Jephthah was the son of Gilead by a prostitute, cast out by his half-brothers who said: "Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman." He fled to the land of Tob, where he gathered a band of outcasts around him.
When the Ammonites attacked Israel, the very elders who had rejected Jephthah begged him to lead their army. Before battle, Jephthah vowed: "Whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me... shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."
God gave Jephthah victory, but the first person to greet him was his only daughter. The text says Jephthah "did with her according to his vow" — a passage that has generated centuries of debate. His story is listed in Hebrews 11's hall of faith, yet it warns about the danger of rash promises.
Where does Jephthah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Jephthah is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Judges 11:1. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Jephthah?
Jephthah is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Jephthah?
Jephthah — rejected, recalled, and ultimately remembered in faith — teaches that God uses the outcast and the overlooked. But his rash vow warns: never promise God something you haven't thought through.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Jephthah:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Devotional
Isaiah 41:10 — Meaning & Devotional
Courage & Strength
Commentary
2 Timothy 1:7 Commentary
In-depth study • Courage & Strength
Commentary
Joshua 1:9 Commentary
In-depth study • Courage & Strength
Promise
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
Promise
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
Verses About
Bible Verses About Strength
10 curated KJV verses
What names are related to Jephthah?
Names like Jephthah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "He opens; God opens" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Jephthah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Jephthah
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Jephthah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Jephthah appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 11:1.
Jephthah means "He opens; God opens." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Judges 11:1, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Jephthah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "He opens; God opens." It appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 11:1.
Common questions about the name Jephthah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Jephthah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Jephthah?
You can read every verse where Jephthah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.