Keraia
Judges 12

Judges 12:5

Jephthah Defeats Ephraim · Judges 12:1–7
Read Judges 12

Translations

Modern
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites would ask him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No,”
Traditional
And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;
Literal
And Gilead seized the fords of the Jordan to Ephraim, and when a fugitive from Ephraim said, “Let me pass over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” And if he said, “No,”
Latin
Occupaveruntque Galaaditæ vada Jordanis, per quæ Ephraim reversurus erat. Cumque venisset ad ea de Ephraim numero, fugiens, atque dixisset: Obsecro ut me transire permittatis: dicebant ei Galaaditæ: Numquid Ephrathæus es? quo dicente: Non sum:

Original

Hebrew
English
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites would ask him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No,”

Notes

Judges 12:5

You could only cross the Jordan River at shallow spots where tributaries left silt. This was likely true where the Jabbok joined the Jordan.

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

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel

Places

Gilead: Mountainous region east of Jordan; tribal territory and personal name Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

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

Topics

Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Defeated by Him Israel: Under the Judges: The Ephraimites Go to War Against Other Tribes Jordan: Fords of Judge: Jephthah Strife: Jephthah and the Ephraimites the River Jordan: Fordable in some Places the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Slaughter of the Ephraimites Tribe of Ephraim: Defeated and Many Slain War: Civil