Judges 12:4

Translations

Modern

Jephthah then gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim, living in the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh.”

Traditional

Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.

Literal

And Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because they said, “You Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim in the midst of Ephraim, in the midst of Manasseh.”

Latin

Vocatis itaque ad se cunctis viris Galaad, pugnabat contra Ephraim: percusseruntque viri Galaad Ephraim, quia dixerat: Fugitivus est Galaad de Ephraim, et habitat in medio Ephraim et Manasse.

Original

Hebrew

English

Jephthah then gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim, living in the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh.”

Notes

Judges 12:4

The reason the people of Ephraim taunted the men of Gilead is unclear. They might have resented or looked down on the Israelites living east of the Jordan River.

Judges 12:1–6

Ephraim felt neglected again (see Judges 8:1–3) and wanted revenge. Unlike Gideon's approach, Jephthah blamed Ephraim, leading to a civil war.

Theme notes and profiles

Social Chaos in Judges

Events

Deliverance by Jephthahc. 1152 BC

Related verses

1 Samuel 25:10
But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.
Proverbs 12:13
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Numbers 32:39–40
The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there.
Psalm 78:9
The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle.
Nehemiah 4:4
Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.
Deuteronomy 3:12–17
So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities.
Judges 11:10
And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is our witness if we do not do as you say.”

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Jephthah: A judge of Israel, known for his tragic vow Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob

Places

Gilead: Mountainous region east of Jordan; tribal territory and personal name

Glossary

Ephraim, Tribe of Forest of Ephraim Hebrew Language Jephthah Jordan River Judges, Book of

Topics

Anger: Grievous Words Stir Up Citizens: Wicked: Ephraimites Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Defeated by Him Israel: Under the Judges: The Ephraimites Go to War Against Other Tribes Jephthah: Leads the Army of the Gileadites Against the Ephraimites Judge: Jephthah Strife: Jephthah and the Ephraimites the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Slaughter of the Ephraimites Treason of the Ephraimites Against Jephthah Tribe of Ephraim: Quarrelled with Jephthah for not Seeking Their Aid Against War: Civil

Judges 12:4

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Related verses

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