Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Jonathan D. Safren" <yonsaf AT beitberl.beitberl.ac.il>]

No one has mentioned the parallel with 1 Sam. 14, where Saul vows
whoever has eaten food on that day (of the Battle of Michmash) will die,
even if it be his own son. And, of course, it was his own son, who was
rescued from certain death only because he was redeemed by the people
with a sacrificial animal.
Both Jud. 11 and 1 Sam. 14 are examples of rash vows which, if
fulfilled, will bring tragedy upon the father who has taken the vow.
Both narratives exhibit the same literary motif.
Sincerely,
Jonathan D. Safren
Dept. of Biblical studies
Beit Berl College
44905 Beit Berl Post Office
Israel