ORIGEN'S SELECTIONS ON JUDGES
A And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord. If the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, how does he make a vow of what is not fitting? For it was possible that even a dog might have met Jephthah as he returned. Was the Spirit, then, in error? By no means; rather, the Spirit came to assist, not to suggest an inappropriate vow; but Jephthah himself erred by promising inconsiderately.
And they said to him, "Say now, Shibboleth." But they said "Sibboleth," which signifies *sebela*, that is to say, an ear of corn. Those who said *sebela*, however, could not clearly pronounce *sebela*. For even if they were Hebrews, they differed according to the measure of their brevity in the pronunciation of the dialect. The password, therefore, was *sebela*, which those who were questioned, by saying *sebela*, were proven to be not of the kin of Jephthah, but of the rebels. B
And his wife was barren and did not bear. He calls her barren here not because of nature, but because of her service.
"No razor has come upon my head," for I am a Nazarite of God. Throughout the whole history of Samson, his hair is shown to supply him with all his strength.
By the same. He names "Nazarite," according to the Syriac language, that which is kept. C God, however, does not command Samson to follow the custom of the Israelites, who at that time were accustomed to shave their heads so that they might easily be recognized by everyone.
And he made an Ephod and Teraphim. The Ephod was a priestly garment, which the priest on whom it was placed used to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. But the Teraphim was something of that kind, however not divine, but rather idolatrous, as is shown in the books of Kings. D
And the sons of Benjamin went out. Why are they defeated, although they had set out justly? It is clear that it was on account of a preceding cause. And the Psalm says, "When I shall take the time, I will judge justices." Then, after they were defeated once and a second time, anger came upon the wrongdoers, and they achieve a righteous victory.