Definition: [That] the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Judges 11:40. It’s a really strange and unsettling story! Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: Jephthah’s Grief: The story begins with Jephthah the Gileadite (a leader of Israel) being incredibly distraught. He’s grieving the death of his daughter, Ziraiah. A Ritual Offering: To show their sorrow and to try and appease God, he decides to offer a sacrifice – a young woman – to be eaten by the gods. The Four-Day Lament: He instructs his people to spend four days in mourning, lamenting this loss. They’re essentially spending an entire week in deep sadness. What's the Significance? This story is a powerful example of: Divine Justice: It highlights God's justice and judgment. He isn’t just punishing Jephthah; he’s using this ritual to demonstrate His power and severity. The Power of Grief: The passage emphasizes that grief can be incredibly strong, and it can have a significant impact on people. It shows how deeply people can feel the pain of loss. In simpler terms: It's about a king grieving for his daughter, and he decides to spend four days in mourning as a way to show God how much he feels the pain of losing her. Important Note: This story is considered somewhat bizarre and symbolic in the Bible. It’s not meant to be taken literally; it’s a vivid illustration of how intense grief can be. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the symbolism behind this passage? Talk about its historical context (what was happening in Israel at the time)?