The answer is: He was illegitimate and his brothers drove him out

Judges 11:1-3

In the Book of Judges, the story of Jephthah is a powerful illustration of both human conflict and the quest for respect. Jephthah was born to Gilead, a leader in Israel, but his mother was a prostitute. This background made him an outcast; his half-brothers rejected him, leading him to flee to Tob, essentially a North Syrian refuge. Isn’t it interesting that even in ancient societies, issues of legitimacy and family relationships deeply affected people's lives?

In Tob, Jephthah encounters a band of adventurers, much like outcasts of modern times find community among themselves. His time there prepared him to be a leader, showing that resilience can spring from hardship. Epic echoes resonate when we think of stories like that of David, who also roamed the wilderness before rising to kingship.

Tob itself sits in the shadows of Israel’s history, yet it plays a pivotal role in shaping Jephthah into the deliverer of Israel when crisis loomed on the horizon. Speaking of crises, the period of the Judges was marked by getting cyclical violence but also a longing for unity and governance. Jephthah's experience gives us insights into how adversity often molds individuals for significant roles – another redemption arc familiar throughout Scripture.

In essence, the tale of Jephthah reminds us that identities are complex, shaped by societal views, but strength often emerges from estrangement.