Judg 11:8 | NET2full | STEP | The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah , “That may be true , but now we pledge to you our loyalty . Come with us and fight with the Ammonites . Then you will become the leader of all who live in Gilead .”

Judges 11:8

8 The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That may be true, ^{▼▼tn Heb “therefore”; “even so.” For MT לָכֵן (lakhen, “therefore”) the LXX has an opposite reading, “not so,” which seems to be based on the Hebrew words לֹא כֵן (loʾ khen).} but now we pledge to you our loyalty. ^{▼▼tn Heb “we have returned to you.” For another example of שׁוּב אֶל (shuv ʾel) in the sense of “give allegiance to,” see 1 Kgs 12:27b.} Come with us and fight with the Ammonites. Then you will become the leader ^{▼▼sn Then you will become the leader. The leaders of Gilead now use the word רֹאשׁ (roʾsh, “head, leader”), the same term that appeared in their original, general offer (see 10:18). In their initial offer to Jephthah they had simply invited him to be their קָצִין (qatsin, “commander”; v. 6). When he resists they must offer him a more attractive reward—rulership over the region. See R. G. Boling, Judges (AB), 198.} of all who live in Gilead.” ^{▼▼tn Heb “leader of us and all who live in Gilead.”}