Is Jephthah’s mother an Israelite or Canaanite? The text leaves the question open. Either way, we see a violation of the Lord’s laws. If she was an Israelite, it is a violation of the Lord’s laws against extramarital sexual relations and against a father selling his daughter into prostitution (Leviticus 19:29). If she was a Canaanite, it is a violation of the prohibition of all intercourse with Canaanites (Exodus 34:15–16; Deuteronomy 7:1–5). Though the question cannot be answered with certainty, Jephthah’s conduct would certainly follow Canaanite patterns.1
1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah.