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Leviathan · Character

Jephtha

Judge of Israel who made a rash vow to sacrifice his daughter.

minor

First appearance: part i of man

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In XXI: Of the Liberty of Subjects: Cited as an example of a sovereign who caused his daughter to be sacrificed, illustrating that a subject may be put to death by sovereign command without injustice to the subject.

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See Jephtha in part i of man

Character Web

4 connections

A slice of how Jephtha sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

PIPope Innocent …SASaulURUriahJOJosephJEJephtha

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Historical and theological exemplars
  • Patriarchs and rulers of Egypt

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it reveals the sovereign's right to punish is not a gift from subj…

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In the story

Jephtha appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Jephtha in part i of man
Who is Jephtha in Leviathan?