Which judge made a vow that led to his daughter’s sacrifice when victorious over Ammon?

• A. Othniel
• B. Ehud
• C. Jephthah
• D. Gideon

Answer: (C)

Jephthah is the judge whose vow sets up the dramatic consequence with his daughter. Before leading Israel to victory over the Ammonites, he vows to the Lord that if he returns in triumph, he will offer whatever comes out of the door of his house to meet him as a burnt offering. When he returns, his daughter is the first to greet him, and he fulfills the vow, resulting in her fate. This episode stands out in the book of Judges because it shows how a rash vow can lead to grave personal cost, and it emphasizes the importance of speaking and acting wisely in vows to God. The other judges—Othniel, Ehud, and Gideon—do not have stories in which a vow regarding victory over an enemy leads to a family member’s sacrifice.