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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 12:2 But Jephthah replied, "My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/12-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/07_Jdg_12_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 12:2 - Jephthah Defeats Ephraim" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Jephthah replied, My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/12-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/12-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/12-1.htm" title="Judges 12:1">◄</a> Judges 12:2 <a href="/judges/12-3.htm" title="Judges 12:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Jephthah answered, &#8220I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn&#8217t save me out of their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Jephthah replied, “I summoned you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come! You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Jephthah replied, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were in a major dispute with the sons of Ammon; and I did call you, but you did not save me from their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Jephthah said to them, &#8220I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon. And I cried out to you, but you did not save me from their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a major conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called you [for help], you did not rescue me from their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jephthah said to them, “My people and I had a bitter conflict with the Ammonites. So I called for you, but you didn’t deliver me from their power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jephthah said to them, &#8220My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites. So I called for you, but you didn&#8217t deliver me from their power. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye saved me not out of their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"But I did ask for your help," Jephthah answered. "That was back when the people of Gilead and I were having trouble with the Ammonites, and you wouldn't do a thing to help us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye saved me not out of their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jephthah answered, "My people and I were involved in a legal dispute with Ammon. I asked you for help, but you didn't rescue me from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But Jephthah told them, "My people and I had a serious quarrel with the Ammonites. I did call you, but you would not rescue me from them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Jephthah replied to them, "My army and I were engaged in a serious fight with the Ammonites. I called for you, but you didn't deliver me from their control. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Jephthah replied, ?My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah said to them, "My people and I were entangled in controversy with the Ammonites. I asked for your help, but you did not deliver me from their power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Jephthah said to them, "I and my people had a dispute, and the people of Ammon were oppressing me greatly; and when I called you, you did not save me out of their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jephthah said to them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah 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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jephthah says to them, “I have been a man of great strife (I and my people) with the sons of Ammon, and I call you, and you have not saved me out of their hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jephthah saith unto them, 'A man of great strife I have been (I and my people) with the Bene-Ammon, and I call you, and ye have not saved me out of their hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jephthah will say to them, I was a man of strife, I and my people and the sons of Ammon greatly; and I shall cry out to you, and ye saved me not from their hands.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he answered them: I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon: and I called you to assist me, and you would not do it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he answered them: “I and my people were in a great conflict against the sons of Ammon. And I called you, so that you might offer assistance to me. And you were not willing to do so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jephthah answered them, “My soldiers and I were engaged in a contest with the Ammonites. They were pressing us hard, and I cried out to you, but you did not come to save me from their power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were engaged in conflict with the Ammonites who oppressed us severely. But when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jephthah said to them, O men! I and my people had strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Naphthakh said to them: “Men, I have had contention, I and my people, with the children of Amon, and I called for you and you did not deliver me from their hands<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jephthah said unto them: 'I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye saved me not out of their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jephthae said to them, I and my people and the children of Ammon were very much engaged in war; and I called for you, and ye did not save me out of their hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/12-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3791" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/12.htm">Jephthah Defeats Ephraim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!” <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3316.htm" title="3316: yip̄·tāḥ (N-proper-ms) -- From pathach; he will open; Jiphtach, an Israelite; also a place in Palestine.">But Jephthah</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: wə·‘am·mî (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">“My people</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">and I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc.">a serious</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: rîḇ (N-ms) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">conflict</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nê- (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">with the Ammonites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5983.htm" title="5983: ‘am·mō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A people living E. of the Jordan. From am; tribal, i.e. Inbred; Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2199.htm" title="2199: wā·’ez·‘aq (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To cry, cry out, call. A primitive root; to shriek; by analogy, to announce or convene publicly.">and when I called,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">you did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3467.htm" title="3467: hō·wō·ša‘·tem (V-Hifil-Perf-2mp) -- To deliver. A primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. to be safe; causatively, to free or succor.">save</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯî (DirObjM:: 1cs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yā·ḏām (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">out of their hands.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>When I saw that you would not save me, I risked my life and crossed over to the Ammonites, and the LORD delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come today to fight against me?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/11-12.htm">Judges 11:12-28</a></span><br />Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?” / The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah’s messengers, “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and all the way to the Jordan. Now, therefore, restore it peaceably.” / Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Judges 8:1-3</a></span><br />Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently. / But Gideon answered them, “Now what have I accomplished compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer? / God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, into your hand. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-11.htm">1 Samuel 12:11</a></span><br />So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-7.htm">1 Samuel 11:7</a></span><br />He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17</a></span><br />And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-10.htm">1 Samuel 25:10-11</a></span><br />But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. / Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">2 Samuel 19:41-43</a></span><br />Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-8.htm">2 Kings 14:8-12</a></span><br />Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. / But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. / You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a></span><br />A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Proverbs 17:14</a></span><br />To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-19.htm">Proverbs 18:19</a></span><br />An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-3.htm">Proverbs 20:3</a></span><br />It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-9.htm">Matthew 5:9</a></span><br />Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a></span><br />If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31-32</a></span><br />Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jephthah said to them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you delivered me not out of their hands.</p><p class="hdg">I am my</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/11-12.htm">Judges 11:12</a></b></br> And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/22-17.htm">Although</a> <a href="/judges/12-1.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/11-36.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Bene-Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/12-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/6-9.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/judges/9-17.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/judges/11-30.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-28.htm">Engaged</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/11-9.htm">Help</a> <a href="/judges/12-1.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Save</a> <a href="/judges/10-12.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Struggle</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/3-12.htm">Although</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">Bene-Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-4.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/judges/18-10.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Engaged</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Help</a> <a href="/judges/12-4.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Save</a> <a href="/judges/21-14.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-9.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/job/9-29.htm">Struggle</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/12-1.htm">The Ephraimites, quarrelling with Jephthah, are slain by the Gileadites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/12-7.htm">Jephthah dies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/12-8.htm">Ibzan, who had thirty sons, and thirty daughters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/12-11.htm">and Elon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/12-13.htm">and Abdon, who had forty sons, and thirty nephews, judge Israel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But Jephthah replied</b><br>Jephthah, a judge of Israel, was known for his leadership and military prowess. His reply indicates a response to an accusation or a misunderstanding. This reflects the common biblical theme of leaders being questioned or challenged, similar to Moses and David.<p><b>My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites</b><br>The Ammonites were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with Israel. This conflict highlights the ongoing struggle for land and dominance in the region. The phrase underscores the collective struggle of Jephthah and his people, emphasizing unity in facing external threats.<p><b>and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands</b><br>Jephthah's call for help was likely directed towards the Ephraimites, who were known for their pride and reluctance to assist other tribes unless it benefited them. This reflects the tribal tensions within Israel, as seen in other instances like the conflict between the tribes of Benjamin and the rest of Israel. The failure to respond to Jephthah's call can be seen as a lack of unity and support among the Israelites, which is a recurring issue throughout the book of Judges.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah</a></b><br>A judge of Israel, known for his leadership and military prowess. He was the son of Gilead and a harlot, which led to his initial rejection by his family and people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ammonites.htm">Ammonites</a></b><br>A neighboring nation often in conflict with Israel. They were descendants of Lot and frequently opposed Israel during the period of the Judges.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gilead.htm">Gilead</a></b><br>The region east of the Jordan River, where Jephthah was from. It was a significant area during the time of the Judges.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/conflict_with_the_ammonites.htm">Conflict with the Ammonites</a></b><br>This refers to the military and territorial disputes between Israel and the Ammonites, which Jephthah was called to resolve.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephraimites.htm">Ephraimites</a></b><br>The tribe of Ephraim, who later confronted Jephthah for not involving them in the battle against the Ammonites, leading to further conflict.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_godly_counsel.htm">The Importance of Seeking Godly Counsel</a></b><br>Jephthah's rash vow in <a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm">Judges 11</a> highlights the need for seeking wisdom and guidance from God before making significant decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a></b><br>Despite Jephthah's background and initial rejection, God raised him as a leader, demonstrating that God can use anyone for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_pride_and_miscommunication.htm">The Dangers of Pride and Miscommunication</a></b><br>The conflict with the Ephraimites shows how pride and lack of communication can lead to unnecessary strife among God's people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Jephthah's inclusion in <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a> reminds us that faith is demonstrated through action, even when circumstances are challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_unresolved_conflict.htm">The Consequences of Unresolved Conflict</a></b><br>The ongoing disputes between tribes in Israel serve as a warning about the long-term effects of unresolved conflicts within a community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_dead_sea's_biblical_role.htm">What is Mizpah's significance in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jephthah's_conflict_escalate.htm">Judges 12:1–3 – Why does Jephthah’s conflict with the Ephraimites escalate so violently with little prior indication? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_jephthah's_vow.htm">Judges 11:30-31: How can a just God permit Jephthah's vow, which appears to condone human sacrifice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_gouge_eyes_as_submission_in_1_sam_11.htm">In 1 Samuel 11:1-2, how could gouging out the right eye of every Israelite realistically have served as a sign of submission without stronger resistance or outside intervention?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">I was a man of strife, I and my people, and the children of Ammon exceedingly. </span>We have a similar phrase in <a href="/jeremiah/15-10.htm" title="Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them does curse me.">Jeremiah 15:10</a>. Jephthah adopts the tone of a recognised chief, as he had done to the Ammonites.<p><span class= "bld">And when I called you, ye delivered me not.</span>--Ephraim was not immediately affected by the Ammonite oppression, any more than it had been by the Midianite. The effect of those raids was felt chiefly by Manasseh and by the Eastern tribes. Hence the Ephraimites held themselves selfishly aloof. That we are not told of this previous appeal of the Gileadites to Ephraim illustrates the compression of the narrative. We cannot tell whether it took place before or after the summons of the Gileadites to Jephthah.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When I called you</span>. This incident is not mentioned in the previous narrative. Probably Jephthah asked the help of Ephraim when he was first made chief of the Gileadites, and they refused partly because they thought the attempt desperate, and partly because they were offended at Jephthah's leadership. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/12-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But Jephthah</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפְתָּח֙</span> <span class="translit">(yip̄·tāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3316.htm">Strong's 3316: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“My people</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַמִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘am·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיִ֛יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a serious</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאֹ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3966.htm">Strong's 3966: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily</span><br /><br /><span class="word">conflict</span><br /><span class="heb">רִ֗יב</span> <span class="translit">(rîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strife, dispute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the Ammonites,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and when I called,</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֶזְעַ֣ק</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ez·‘aq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2199.htm">Strong's 2199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shriek, to announce, convene publicly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">deliver</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹשַׁעְתֶּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(hō·wō·ša‘·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3467.htm">Strong's 3467: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹתִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out of their hands.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיָּדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mî·yā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/12-2.htm">Judges 12:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/12-2.htm">OT History: Judges 12:2 Jephthah said to them I and my (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/12-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 12:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 12:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/12-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 12:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 12:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>