2 syllables: Jeph, thah. Stress on Jeph.
JEF-thuh
/ˈdʒɛfθə/
Jephthah is pronounced JEF-thuh (/ˈdʒɛfθə/). It has two syllables (Jeph-thah), with the stress on "Jeph". Jephthah is a male biblical figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to a judge of Israel who vowed a rash vow, leading to significant events. In modern usage, the name appears in theological discussions and literary contexts.
nounJephthah is a male biblical figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to a judge of Israel who vowed a rash vow, leading to significant events. In modern usage, the name appears in theological discussions and literary contexts.
How to Pronounce Jephthah
"- Jephthah is discussed in several chapters of Judges for his vow and the resulting consequences."
"- The character Jephthah is often cited in sermons about rash promises and faith."
"- Scholars compare Jephthah’s vow with other biblical oaths in historical texts."
Pronounce as /dʒɛfˈθɔː/ in US/UK/AU varieties. Break it into three syllables: JEF - thah, with primary stress on the second syllable. Start with the /dʒ/ as in judge, then /ɛ/ (short e as in pet), followed by the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ (thin), and finish with /ɔː/ (open o as in law). Keep the tongue blade between teeth for /θ/ and let the back of the tongue rise slightly for /ɔː/. You’ll hear the emphasis on the middle syllable: jeff-THAH.
Common errors: misplacing stress (stressing the first syllable), replacing /θ/ with /s/ or /t/, or rendering /ɔː/ as /oʊ/ or /ɒ/. Correction: stress the second syllable /ˈθɔː/ by slightly louder and longer vowel duration; keep the /θ/ dental fricative distinct from /f/ by placing the tongue lightly between the teeth; finish with a clear back-rounded /ɔː/ rather than a lax /ɔ/ or /ɒ/.
US/UK/AU share /dʒɛfˈθɔː/, but vowel durations and rhotics vary. US tends to rhotically pronounce certain vowels in connected speech; UK is non-rhotic, may have slightly shorter /ɔː/ and clearer /θ/. Australian speakers often merge /ɔː/ toward /ɒː/ or /ɔː/ with crisp /θ/; subtle vowel nasalization may appear in casual speech. In all, the core is /dʒ-ɛ-f-ˈθɔː/ with stress on the second syllable.
Difficulties include the initial /dʒ/ blend, the mid /ɛ/ before the dental /θ/, and the long /ɔː/ at the end, which may be reduced or mispronounced as /ɑ/ or /oʊ/ in rapid speech. The /θ/ sound is less common for many learners and requires placing the tongue between the teeth without buzzing. The three-syllable rhythm with secondary balance, and the requirement to stress the second syllable, makes it particularly challenging.
A notable aspect is maintaining a clean separation between the dental fricative /θ/ and the following vowel /ɔː/. Many speakers blend /θ/ with /f/ or /t/, which obscures the name. Also, ensure that the final vowel is a full long /ɔː/ rather than a clipped or ambiguous vowel. Focusing on the syllabic boundary helps maintain the three-syllable rhythm typical of Jephthah.
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Jephthah originates in the Hebrew name Yifṭaḥ (ياب etched as יִפְתָּה), commonly transliterated as Jephthah in Greek and Latin traditions. The root letters Y-P-T-H trace to a verb meaning to open or to release, with some scholars linking it to a root meaning ‘to scatter’ or ‘to break forth.’ In biblical contexts, the name is typically understood as ‘he opens’ or ‘he releases,’ possibly reflecting a martial or liberating mettle attributed to the bearer. The Hebrew Bible presents Jephthah in Judges 11 as a son of Gilead, excluded by his brothers, who becomes a commander and judge after leading Israel to victory against the Ammonites. The vocalization and spelling of the name evolved through linguistic transmission: Hebrew original, Greek Septuagint rendering as Iefta, Latin Vulgate as Jephtha, and English translations modernizing to Jephthah. The use of Jephthah in English-language scripture and poetry reinforces its association with vows and tragic consequences. First known written attestations appear in early Masoretic texts; in classical Christian transmission, the name appears in translations and commentaries from the 2nd century CE onward, with textual debates occasionally touching on the accuracy of the vow’s consequences in Judges 11.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Jephthah" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Jephthah"
-ath sounds
-ith sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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