Biblical Hebrew Forum

["George Athas" <gathas AT hotkey.net.au>]

> But, my interest in this lies in the fact that here we see a human being
> sacrificed unto YHWH as a burnt-offering to keep a vow to YHWH.  A sacrifice
> unto YHWH.... oh what Christianity could do with this.  A sacrificed made in
> error though, and one that should not be used to further claim the
> sacrificing of a man for our sins, which YHWH in His T"NK, especially the
> Torah, has made known cannot happen, since each of us is guilty for our own
> sins, and not man can take our place.

Yohanan,

We have to wary of the type of sacrifice involved with Jephthah's daughter. He
offers her up not as a sin or guilt offering, but as a thank offering. Notice
the occasion and wording of his vow - it is in response to a God-given 
victory.
There is no expiatory value to the sacrifice. In some senses, however, the
sacrifice is propitiatory in that it averts the wrath of YHWH for it not being
fulfilled.

Best regards,

Dr GEORGE ATHAS
Lecturer of Biblical Languages
Southern Cross College
Sydney, Australia