Definition: And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 11:15. It’s a really important and slightly unsettling part of the story. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a man named Jephthah who was helping to sacrifice a young woman, Ruth, to God as a sign of peace. However, he doesn’t want to do it. He stops the sacrifice and says something very powerful. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And said unto him…” : Jephthah is speaking directly to God. “…Thus saith Jephthah…” : This is a quote from the prophet Jephthah, who was giving his advice to the Israelites. “…Israel took not away the land of Moab…” : This means Israel didn’t remove the land of Moab. They weren't taking it back. "...nor the land of the children of Ammon” : This is the key part. They didn’t take anything from the land of Ammon either. What does this mean? It suggests a significant strategic decision by Israel to avoid a war with Ammon. The idea was that if they weren't fighting, they wouldn't be putting their resources and people at risk. It highlights a pragmatic approach – prioritizing avoiding conflict over aggressive action. Why is it important? This verse is often interpreted as a sign of faith and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. It speaks to a time when Israel was facing a potential threat from Ammon, and they chose a path that prioritized peace and avoiding bloodshed. In short: Jephthah stopped the sacrifice, but he didn't take anything from Ammon either. It’s a story about strategic thinking and prioritizing peace over war. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this verse in more detail (like when it happened)?