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posted on Sep 03, 2007 - 01:18 PM
I want to get a coptic commentary on Judges chapter 11 which tells a story about Jephthah's vow that led him to sacrifice his daughter. How could God allow a human sacrifice to be burnt to Him? or should we not take the meaning of the story literally? I have read that the story of Jephthah's daughter is being debated by protestant theologians. But what is the coptic view 
posted on Sep 07, 2007 - 09:03 AM
Dear all,
I am still waiting for some one who can, at least, give me a link to where I can find a coptic commentary on the book of Judges chapter 11.
I tried to search the archives to check whether a similar question was raised and discussed before. But I was not able to find one. That is why I came back.
Regards,
Solan
posted on Sep 07, 2007 - 11:43 AM
This is from the (small) commentary on Judges by Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty in english (page 34-35):
Jephthah made a vow which was not wise at all: "If you will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering,"(Judges 11:30-31).
It so happened that God allowed Jephthah's only, virgin daughter, to be the first to greet him. This was to teach Jephthah a lesson because God does not accept human offerings and thus Jephthah endured the bitter result of his vow. When God asked Abraham to give his son Isaac as an offering, He was only testing his faith and He handed him back to Abraham safe and sound.
I have skimmed through the arabic commentary, and Fr Tadros adds a few quotes from the church Fathers (St Ambrosius and St John Chrysostom) in his book. Basically the quotes are the foundation of the previous commentary in English, i.e. the vow was foolish, and God wanted to teach the whole of humanity a lesson that it is better not to vow at all because it may cause you or your children harm!
I've searched for the exact quotes on ccel.org, but I couldn't find them, so perhaps someone else can help you with that.
posted on Sep 17, 2007 - 06:48 AM
meenas,
For example, some say that Jephthah's daughter became a living sacrifice to God. After two monthes of mourning,she dedicated her life to God, kept her virginity, and served God the rest of her life. Her father was a Godly person and knows that God does not accept burnt human scrifices and dare not burn her.
solan
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