שופטים, פרק י״א, פסוק ל׳

In the crucial moments before going to war, a military leader seeks to secure divine help through a dramatic personal vow. This promise attempts to link a national military victory with the complete dedication of personal property. The psychological drive behind this vow stems directly from the commander's own past. Because his brothers had driven him away from their family land and denied him his birthright, he deeply internalized the idea that whatever is first is the most chosen and worthy. Therefore, he chose to promise that the very first thing to come out of his house to greet him would be dedicated to God [אהבת יהונתן]. He declared that if God would help him defeat the Ammonites in battle, he would sacrifice the first thing he met upon returning home safely [ביאור שטיינזלץ, צאינה וראינה].

There are differing perspectives regarding his original intention and how the vow was actually carried out. One approach suggests that he fully intended to offer whatever came out of his house as a burnt offering, no matter what it was. Consequently, he actually sacrificed his daughter when she came out to meet him [אברבנאל]. Adding to this view, another perspective notes that the daughter stepping outside to dance violated the standard of modesty, which expects a woman to remain inside the home. Because of this breach, she faced a sentence of death [אהבת יהונתן].

In contrast, a more moderate approach suggests that the vow came with built-in conditions. According to this view, if the first thing to emerge was an animal fit for the altar, like a sheep or a cow, it would become a burnt offering. However, if a person or an unfit animal came out, that individual would simply be dedicated to God, living a life of separation and holiness [רלב״ג, אברבנאל]. Following this interpretation, the father never actually put his daughter to death, but rather dedicated her entirely to the service of God [אברבנאל].