Jephtha is a tragic oratorio in three acts, written by Thomas Morell and set to music by George Frideric Handel. It was first performed at the Covent Garden Theatre in London on 26 February 1752. The story is based on the biblical account of Jephthah, a military leader of the Israelites who swears an oath to God that if he is granted victory in battle, he will sacrifice the first living creature that comes out of his house to greet him upon his return. Tragically, his daughter Iphis is the first to greet him, and he is faced with the impossible choice of breaking his vow to God or sacrificing his own daughter.