Jephtha's Daughter, a Dramatic Poem

Jephtha's Daughter, A Dramatic Poem by Matthew James Chapman is a verse drama that reimagines the biblical story of Jephthah, whose vow leads to the sacrifice of his daughter after a victorious campaign against the Ammonites. The work unfolds as a dramatic poem featuring a chorus of Gileadite girls, Miriam as Jephtha's daughter, a nurse, and elders who provide historical and moral commentary. The author states an ambition to treat Scripture subjects with reverence, employing Scriptural language and imagery, and presents the tragedy as a meditation on divine justice, faith, and the burdens of leadership. The narrative follows Jephtha’s oath, the two-month preparation for the sacrifice, and Miriam’s consent to be offered for the nation, followed by laments, hymns of deliverance, and a procession of visions and prophecies about the coming Messiah. Rich with allusions to Judges and Josephus, the poem blends Biblical themes with Romantic-era reflections on virtue, gender, and national identity, concluding with memorial observances that consecrate sacrifice in the cause of Israel.