יִפְתָּח (yiph.tach)
yiph.tach
Iphtah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 26 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name יִפְתָּח, transliterated as Yiphtach or Jephthah, means "he opens." It derives from the Hebrew root patach, which carries the sense of opening, unlocking, or setting free. In the Old Testament, this word appears in two distinct contexts: as a place name and as a personal name.
As a location, Jiphtah is listed among the towns in the territory of Judah (Joshua 15:43). More prominently, it identifies the judge Jephthah, the son of Gilead. The sources note that his name likely reflects the idea of liberation or deliverance, fitting for a leader who rescued Israel from the Ammonites. However, the narrative in Judges 11 presents a tragic irony, as his vow leads to the loss of his daughter rather than her freedom.
This juxtaposition highlights the complexity of the name's usage. While the etymology suggests opening or release, the story of Jephthah demonstrates how human vows can lead to unintended consequences. The biblical text uses this name to anchor a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, where military victory is shadowed by personal sacrifice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jephthah means "he opens." It carries a sense of unlocking or setting free, fitting for a leader who rescued Israel from its enemies. Yet his story is not one of simple triumph. Instead, it shows how human decisions can lead to unexpected and painful outcomes. His vow, made in desperation, resulted in the loss of his only child rather than the freedom he hoped for.
This narrative invites us to consider the weight of our own promises. We often speak words in moments of high emotion or crisis, assuming we control the outcome. Jephthah’s experience reminds us that God sees the heart behind our vows and the complexity of our circumstances. It is a sobering reminder to think carefully before we commit ourselves to specific actions.
Despite the tragedy, the text shows God using an unlikely person—a man from the margins—to deliver His people. This offers hope that God’s purposes are not limited by human perfection or social status. We can trust that even in our brokenness and mistakes, God is working to bring about redemption and justice for those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 26 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jephthah26×
- to/ Jephthah2×
- and/ Jephthah1×
- and/ Iphtah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִפְתָּח֙9×
- יִפְתָּ֗ח3×
- יִפְתָּ֖ח3×
- יִפְתָּ֑ח3×
- יִפְתָּ֛ח2×
- לְ/יִפְתָּ֜ח1×
- לְ/יִפְתָּ֔ח1×
- יִפְתָּֽח\׃1×
- יִפְתָּ֧ח1×
- יִפְתָּ֥ח1×
- יִפְתָּ֣ח1×
- יִפְתָּ֜ח1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 11:1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor. He was the son of a prostitute. Gilead became the father of Jephthah.
This verse introduces Jephthah as a mighty man of valor despite his marginalized status, establishing the tension between his capability and his social rejection.
-
Judges 11:30
Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh, and said, “If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,
Here Jephthah makes a rash vow to God, demonstrating how fear can lead to promises that bind us in ways we do not fully understand.
-
Judges 11:34
Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
The arrival of his daughter highlights the tragic irony of his vow, showing how a desire for victory led to personal loss rather than liberation.
-
Judges 12:7
Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in the cities of Gilead.
This final mention notes his six-year judgeship, indicating that God still used him effectively despite the personal cost of his earlier decisions.