Jephthah’s vow raises some difficult issues. Verse 31 can be interpreted as “whatever comes out of the house” (NIV, NAS, NKJV, ESV), “whatsoever” (ASV), or “whoever” (CEV, NRSV). What did Jephthah intend in his vow? If it is a “whatever”, was he solely intending an animal sacrifice? It is unlikely that Jephthah was describing a situation in which animals would “come out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph.” Animals won’t care about his triumph. 

If it is a “whoever” or a human “whatever”, was he really intending to sacrifice a human, perhaps a servant? Human sacrifice was strictly forbidden by God and was a clear line of separation between Israel and other nations. (Canaanites were known to sacrifice their sons and daughters to their god, Molech, in the fire.) Was Jephthah’s vow an indication of Israel’s having been polluted by neighboring pagan religions, such that he was willing to offer a human sacrifice? Clearly his grief-stricken reaction shows that he did not intend for his daughter, his only child, to be involved. The original Hebrew greatly emphasizes that fact that he had no other sons or daughters.

In 11:35 the original Hebrew is “I have opened my mouth.” Jephthah opens his mouth a lot in this story. He ratifies his election by repeating all his words before the Lord (v. 11). He next offers an eloquent message to the Ammonites. Then in verse 29, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Jephthah. He doesn’t need to make a vow to the Lord; the Lord is already with him! But he opens his mouth anyway; he lacks faith and wants more certainty (see v. 9), and his lack of faith and big mouth cost him.

Did Jephthah actually carry out the “sacrifice”? There is no description of his daughter's life being ended. Because the text emphasizes that he had only one child, a daughter, and the text goes on to emphasize that she will not marry, which also means no children, we may surmise that he offered her in service to the Lord through her perpetual virginity. It is important to note that she bewails her loss of marriage (and children), not the loss of her life. The end of Jephthah’s family lineage would have been a great sacrifice.

Given Jephthah’s dedication to God, it is unlikely that he intended human sacrifice in the first place. This would have been a very serious abomination. The phrase “whatever comes out of the house…will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering” can also (and perhaps better) be translated “or I will sacrifice...” Jephthah’s original vow may have included the possibility of an animal sacrifice, or a person dedicated in lifelong service to God – whatever comes out of the house will be dedicated to God. Such devoted service by women was known in Israelite society. (See Ex. 38:8.)