Judges Chapter 12

In Judges 12, the Israelites continue to face conflicts and battles. After defeating the Ammonites, the tribe of Ephraim grows resentful because they were not called to join the fight. They complain to Jephthah, the leader of Gilead, and threaten to burn his house down. Jephthah explains that he did invite them but received no help, and he successfully defends his actions.

Later, the men of Ephraim gather their forces and confront Jephthah’s army. However, Jephthah’s forces defeat them, and the Ephraimites attempt to flee across the Jordan River. To identify the enemy, the Gileadites devised a test, asking each fugitive to pronounce the word “Shibboleth.” Those who failed to pronounce it correctly, saying “Sibboleth” instead, were recognized as Ephraimites and executed.

As a result, 42,000 Ephraimites were killed in the skirmish. Jephthah judged Israel for six years and was buried in his hometown. Following him, three more judges, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, rose to lead Israel, each serving for varying lengths of time.

To explore the context and depth of each verse, click the links below: