Judges 12
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1The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!” 2Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you didn’t save me out of their hand. 3When I saw that you didn’t save me, I put my life in my hand, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and Yahweh delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me today, to fight against me?” 4Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim. The men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, “You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the middle of Ephraim, and in the middle of Manasseh.” 5The Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. When the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No”; 6then they said to him, “Now say ‘Shibboleth;’” and he said “Sibboleth”; for he couldn’t manage to pronounce it right: then they seized him, and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand of Ephraim fell. 7Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in the cities of Gilead. 8After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. 9He had thirty sons; and thirty daughters he sent outside his clan, and thirty daughters he brought in from outside his clan for his sons. He judged Israel seven years. 10Ibzan died, and was buried at Bethlehem. 11After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. 12Elon the Zebulunite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. 13After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. 14He had forty sons and thirty sons’ sons, who rode on seventy donkey colts. He judged Israel eight years. 15Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.
World English Bible (public domain)
“Then the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, ‘Let me go over,’ the men of Gilead said to him, ‘Are you an Ephraimite?’ When he said, ‘No,’”
Judges 12:5
Summary
Judges chapter 12 recounts a significant conflict between Jephthah, the judge of Israel, and the Ephraimites who confronted him after their military campaign. The Ephraimites are upset that they were not called to assist in the battle against the Ammonites, leading to a bitter exchange. Jephthah defends his actions by explaining that he fought for the people of Israel alone, and he emphasizes their reluctance to join the fight. This conflict escalates into violence, resulting in great loss of life among the Ephraimites. The chapter highlights the divisive nature of tribalism and the dangers of infighting within the nation of Israel, showcasing how internal strife can undermine collective strength. In the end, Jephthah's leadership overshadows the conflict, but it also serves as a reminder of the need for unity among God's people.
Key Themes
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