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If he said, Sibboleth, because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. 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Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time. <a href="/nlt/judges/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> they would tell him to say “Shibboleth.” If he was from Ephraim, he would say “Sibboleth,” because people from Ephraim cannot pronounce the word correctly. Then they would take him and kill him at the shallow crossings of the Jordan. In all, 42,000 Ephraimites were killed at that time. <a href="/esv/judges/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 of the Ephraimites fell. <a href="/bsb/judges/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed. <a href="/kjv/judges/12.htm">King James Bible</a> Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. <a href="/nkjv/judges/12.htm">New King James Version</a> then they would say to him, “Then say, ‘Shibboleth’!” And he would say, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they would take him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. There fell at that time forty-two thousand Ephraimites. <a href="/nasb_/judges/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> then they would say to him, “Just say, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he was not prepared to pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the crossing places of the Jordan. So at that time forty-two thousand from Ephraim fell. <a href="/nasb/judges/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> then they would say to him, &#8220Say now, &#8216Shibboleth.&#8217&#8221 But he said, &#8220Sibboleth,&#8221 for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim. <a href="/nasb77/judges/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> then they would say to him, “Say now, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim. <a href="/lsb/judges/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> then they would say to him, “Say now, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim. <a href="/amp/judges/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> they said to him, “Then say ‘Shibboleth.’” And he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites fell. <a href="/csb/judges/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and executed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time forty-two thousand from Ephraim died. <a href="/hcsb/judges/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> they told him, &#8220Please say Shibboleth.&#8221 If he said, &#8220Sibboleth,&#8221 because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 from Ephraim died. <a href="/asv/judges/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth; for he could not frame to pronounce it right: then they laid hold on him, and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand. <a href="/cev/judges/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The guards would then tell them to say "Shibboleth," because they knew that people of Ephraim could say "Sibboleth," but not "Shibboleth." If the man said "Sibboleth," the guards would grab him and kill him right there. Altogether, 42,000 men from Ephraim were killed in the battle and at the Jordan. <a href="/erv/judges/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth; for he could not frame to pronounce it right; then they laid hold on him, and slew him at the fords of Jordan: and there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand. <a href="/gwt/judges/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> they would tell him, "Say the word [shibboleth]." If the fugitive would say [sibboleth], because he couldn't pronounce the word correctly, they would grab him and kill him at the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. At that time 42,000 men from Ephraim died. <a href="/gnt/judges/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> they would tell him to say "Shibboleth." But he would say "Sibboleth," because he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they would grab him and kill him there at one of the Jordan River crossings. At that time forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites were killed. <a href="/isv/judges/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> they would order him, "Pronounce the word 'Shibboleth' right now." If he said "Sibboleth," not being able to pronounce it correctly, they would seize him and slaughter him there at the fords of the Jordan River. During those days 42,000 descendants of Ephraim died that way. <a href="/msb/judges/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> they told him, ?Please say Shibboleth.? If he said, ?Sibboleth,? because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed. <a href="/net/judges/12.htm">NET Bible</a> then they said to him, "Say 'Shibboleth!'" If he said, "Sibboleth" (and could not pronounce the word correctly), they grabbed him and executed him right there at the fords of the Jordan. On that day forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell dead. <a href="/nheb/judges/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> then 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. There fell at that time of Ephraim forty-two thousand. <a href="/wbt/judges/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said they to him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan. And there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. <a href="/web/judges/12.htm">World English Bible</a> then they said to him, “Now say ‘Shibboleth;’” and he said “Sibboleth”; for he couldn’t manage to pronounce it correctly, then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand of Ephraim fell. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> that they say to him, “Now say, Shibboleth”; and he says, “Sibboleth,” and is not prepared to speak right—and they seize him, and slaughter him at the passages of the Jordan, and there fall at that time, of Ephraim, forty-two chiefs. <a href="/ylt/judges/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> that they say to him, 'Say, I pray thee, Shibboleth;' and he saith, 'Sibboleth,' and is not prepared to speak right -- and they seize him, and slaughter him at the passages of the Jordan, and there fall at that time, of Ephraim, forty and two chiefs. <a href="/slt/judges/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will say to him, Say now Shibboleth: and he will say, Sibboleth and he will not form to speak thus. And they will seize him and they will slaughter him at the passages of Jordan. And there will fall in that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> They asked him: Say then, Scibboleth, which is interpreted, An ear of corn. But he answered, Sibboleth, not being able to express an ear of corn by the same letter. Then presently they took him and killed him in the very passage of the Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim two and forty thousand. <a href="/cpdv/judges/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> they would ask him, then say ‘Shibboleth,’ which is translated as ‘ear of grain.’ But he would answer ‘Sibboleth,’ not being able to express the word for an ear of grain in the same letters. And immediately apprehending him, they would cut his throat, at the same crossing point of the Jordan. And in that time of Ephraim, forty-two thousand fell. <a href="/nabre/judges/12.htm">New American Bible</a> they would ask him to say “Shibboleth.” If he said “Sibboleth,” not pronouncing it exactly right, they would seize him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell at that time. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites fell at that time.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then they said to him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth; for he could not pronounce it so. Then they took him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan; and there fell at that time forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites. <a href="/hpbt/judges/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> They were saying to him: “Say ‘shebla’”; he said “Sebla” because he was not able to speak in this way, and they took him and they killed him at the crossing of Jordan, and there fell at that time forty and two thousand from Aphreim<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> then said they unto him: 'Say now Shibboleth'; and he said 'Sibboleth'; for he could not frame to pronounce it right; then they laid hold on him, and slew him at the fords of the Jordan; and there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand. <a href="/sep/judges/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Then they said to him, Say now Stachys; and he did not rightly pronounce it so: and they took him, and slew him at the fords of Jordan; and there fell at that time of Ephraim two and forty thousand. <a href="/parallel/judges/12-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3848" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/12.htm">Jephthah Defeats Ephraim</a> …5The 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,” 6<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they told</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ĕ·mār- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">say</a> <a href="/hebrew/7641.htm" title="7641: šib·bō·leṯ (N-fs) -- Ear (of grain). Or shibboleth; from the same as shebel; a stream; also an ear of grain; by analogy, a branch.">Shibboleth.”</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.">If he said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5451.htm" title="5451: sib·bō·leṯ (N-fs) -- Probably an ear (of wheat, etc.). For shibbol; an ear of grain.">“Sibboleth,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: yā·ḵîn (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">because he could</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.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: lə·ḏab·bêr (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">pronounce</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adj-ms) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">it correctly,</a> <a href="/hebrew/270.htm" title="270: way·yō·ḥă·zū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To grasp, take hold, take possession. A primitive root; to seize.">they seized</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7819.htm" title="7819: way·yiš·ḥā·ṭū·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To slaughter, beat. A primitive root; to slaughter.">and killed him</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">at</a> <a href="/hebrew/4569.htm" title="4569: ma‘·bə·rō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Or feminine mapabarah; from abar; a crossing-place; abstractly, a transit, i.e. overwhelming.">the fords</a> <a href="/hebrew/3383.htm" title="3383: hay·yar·dên (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The principal river of Pal. From yarad; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine.">of the Jordan.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hî (Art:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">So at that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: bā·‘êṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">time</a> <a href="/hebrew/705.htm" title="705: ’ar·bā·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Forty. Multiple of arba'; forty.">42,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·na·yim (Conj-w:: Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ā·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/669.htm" title="669: mê·’ep̄·ra·yim (Prep-m:: N-proper-ms) -- Dual of masculine form of 'Ephraath; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">Ephraimites</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: way·yip·pōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">were killed.</a> 7Jephthah judged Israel six years, and when he died, he was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/26-73.htm">Matthew 26:73</a> After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” <a href="/mark/14-70.htm">Mark 14:70</a> But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.” <a href="/acts/2-7.htm">Acts 2:7</a> Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? <a href="/john/7-52.htm">John 7:52</a> “Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.” <a href="/nehemiah/13-24.htm">Nehemiah 13:24</a> Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. <a href="/2_kings/17-28.htm">2 Kings 17:28-29</a> Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD. / Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. <a href="/genesis/31-47.htm">Genesis 31:47</a> Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. <a href="/1_kings/22-27.htm">1 Kings 22:27</a> and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’” <a href="/isaiah/28-11.htm">Isaiah 28:11</a> Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people <a href="/1_corinthians/14-11.htm">1 Corinthians 14:11</a> If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. <a href="/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2</a> When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared, <a href="/john/18-17.htm">John 18:17</a> At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered. <a href="/luke/22-59.htm">Luke 22:59</a> About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.” <a href="/2_kings/18-26.htm">2 Kings 18:26</a> Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.” <a href="/2_kings/18-28.htm">2 Kings 18:28</a> Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out loudly in Hebrew: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said they to him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.Say now.<a href="/matthew/26-73.htm">Matthew 26:73</a> And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.<a href="/mark/14-70.htm">Mark 14:70</a> And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.Shibboleth.<a href="/psalms/69-2.htm">Psalm 69:2,15</a> I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me… <a href="/isaiah/27-12.htm">Isaiah 27:12</a> And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.Shibboleth.<a href="/job/24-24.htm">Job 24:24</a> They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.and sibboleth signifies a burden.<a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Exodus 6:6</a> Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:<a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Proverbs 17:14</a> The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.<a href="/proverbs/18-19.htm">Proverbs 18:19</a> A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.<a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12</a> The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.forty.<a href="/numbers/26-37.htm">Numbers 26:37</a> These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-33.htm">Able</a> <a href="/judges/8-14.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-15.htm">Correctly</a> <a href="/joshua/17-12.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/judges/10-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Ephraimites</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">E'phraimites</a> <a href="/judges/9-49.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/judges/9-54.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/9-48.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">Manage</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Passages</a> <a href="/judges/6-19.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-13.htm">Pronounce</a> <a href="/judges/11-23.htm">Right</a> <a href="/judges/1-6.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/judges/4-21.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/judges/9-54.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/9-37.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/judges/9-49.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/judges/11-40.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">Way</a> <a href="/judges/11-36.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/14-13.htm">Able</a> <a href="/judges/16-8.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">Correctly</a> <a href="/judges/14-14.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/judges/12-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/12-15.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-20.htm">Ephraimites</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-30.htm">E'phraimites</a> <a href="/judges/16-3.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-7.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/16-2.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Manage</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-4.htm">Passages</a> <a href="/judges/19-5.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-7.htm">Pronounce</a> <a href="/judges/14-7.htm">Right</a> <a href="/judges/16-21.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/13-11.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/judges/13-23.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/14-9.htm">Way</a> <a href="/judges/13-12.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 12</div>1. <a href="/judges/12-1.htm">The Ephraimites, quarrelling with Jephthah, are slain by the Gileadites</a> 7. <a href="/judges/12-7.htm">Jephthah dies</a> 8. <a href="/judges/12-8.htm">Ibzan, who had thirty sons, and thirty daughters</a> 11. <a href="/judges/12-11.htm">and Elon</a> 13. <a href="/judges/12-13.htm">and Abdon, who had forty sons, and thirty nephews, judge Israel</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” This phrase highlights a linguistic test used by the Gileadites to identify Ephraimites. The term "Shibboleth" means "stream" or "ear of grain" in Hebrew. The use of a word as a password underscores the cultural and dialectical differences between the tribes of Israel. This incident reflects the tensions and divisions within the Israelite confederation during the period of the Judges, a time marked by tribal conflicts and a lack of centralized leadership.If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, The inability to pronounce "Shibboleth" correctly reveals the distinct dialect of the Ephraimites, who pronounced it as "Sibboleth." This linguistic difference served as a marker of identity, similar to how accents and dialects can distinguish groups today. The Ephraimites' failure to pronounce the word correctly led to their identification and subsequent execution, illustrating the severe consequences of tribal rivalries.they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. The fords of the Jordan were strategic crossing points, making them ideal locations for controlling movement between territories. The Gileadites' control of these fords allowed them to intercept fleeing Ephraimites. This act of seizing and killing highlights the brutal nature of inter-tribal conflicts during this era. The Jordan River often served as a boundary and a place of significant events in Israel's history, such as the crossing into the Promised Land under Joshua.So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed. The large number of Ephraimite casualties underscores the scale of the conflict and the intensity of the animosity between the tribes. This event reflects the broader theme of disunity and strife within Israel during the time of the Judges, a period characterized by cycles of sin, oppression, deliverance, and peace. The number 42,000 also serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of internal division and the need for unity among God's people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah</a> A judge of Israel who led the Gileadites in battle against the Ephraimites. 2. <a href="/topical/e/ephraimites.htm">Ephraimites</a> A tribe of Israel who were in conflict with the Gileadites, leading to a civil war. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gileadites.htm">Gileadites</a> The people led by Jephthah, who were victorious over the Ephraimites. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fords_of_the_jordan.htm">Fords of the Jordan</a> The crossing points of the Jordan River where the Gileadites tested the Ephraimites. 5. <a href="/topical/s/shibboleth/sibboleth.htm">Shibboleth/Sibboleth</a> A word used as a linguistic test to identify the Ephraimites, who could not pronounce it correctly.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a> The account of Shibboleth illustrates how words can be used to distinguish and divide. In our lives, we must be mindful of our speech and its impact on others. <a href="/topical/i/identity_and_belonging.htm">Identity and Belonging</a> The inability of the Ephraimites to pronounce "Shibboleth" correctly highlights issues of identity and belonging. As Christians, our identity should be rooted in Christ, transcending cultural or linguistic differences. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_division.htm">Consequences of Division</a> The tragic outcome of this conflict serves as a warning against internal strife and division within the body of Christ. Unity should be pursued diligently. <a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a> The harsh judgment faced by the Ephraimites contrasts with the mercy God offers through Christ. We are called to be agents of reconciliation and grace. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_sensitivity.htm">Cultural Sensitivity</a> Understanding and respecting cultural differences is crucial in our interactions with others, reflecting the love and acceptance of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 12</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_judges_12_6_conflict.htm">Judges 12:6 – Is there any archaeological or extra-biblical evidence for this large-scale conflict within the Israelite tribes? </a> <a href="/q/is_it_plausible_42,000_died_from_a_test.htm">Judges 12:6 – How historically plausible is the claim that 42,000 men were killed based on a single pronunciation test? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'shibboleth'_mean.htm">What does 'Shibboleth' mean or signify?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_bathsheba_in_the_bible.htm">Is it right to judge others?</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>(6) Say now Shibboleth.--The word means "ford;" (<a href="/psalms/69-2.htm" title="I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.">Psalm 69:2</a>) "depth of waters;" (<a href="/judges/12-15.htm" title="And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.">Judges 12:15</a>) "water flood;" (<a href="/isaiah/27-12.htm" title="And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river to the stream of Egypt, and you shall be gathered one by one, O you children of Israel.">Isaiah 27:12</a>) "channel." The LXX. render it (Cod. B) "an ear of corn" ( Vulg., quod interpretatur spica), and the word might have this meaning also (as it has in <a href="/genesis/41-5.htm" title="And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up on one stalk, rank and good.">Genesis 41:5</a>), because the root from which it is derived means both "to flow" and "to spring." In the Alexandrian MS. of the LXX. the rendering is, "Tell us then the watchword;" but that is rather an explanation than a translation.And he said Sibboleth.--"And how ingrateful EphraimHad dealt with Jephthah--who by argument . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - Say now Shibboleth, etc. We have thus, as it were, accidentally preserved to us a curious dialectical difference between the Ephraimites and the inhabitants of Gilead. A similar difference exists at the present day between the pronunciation of the inhabitants of different parts of Germany. What the Hanoverians call stein, a stone, the other Germans call shtein. Shibboleth means both an ear of corn and a stream. Forty and two thousand. It is possible that the war between Jephthah and the Ephraimites may have lasted a considerable time, though only the single incident of the slaughter at the fords of Jordan is mentioned, so that the large number of 42,000 men may be less improbable than it seems at first sight. There is, however, always some doubt as to the correctness of numbers (see <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19</a>). <a href="/commentaries/judges/12-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>they told him, וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Please נָ֨א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' say אֱמָר־ (’ĕ·mār-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say Shibboleth.” שִׁבֹּ֜לֶת (šib·bō·leṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7641.htm">Strong's 7641: </a> A stream, an ear of grain, a branch If he said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Sibboleth,” סִבֹּ֗לֶת (sib·bō·leṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5451.htm">Strong's 5451: </a> Probably an ear (of wheat, etcetera) because he could יָכִין֙ (yā·ḵîn) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> To be erect not וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no pronounce לְדַבֵּ֣ר (lə·ḏab·bêr) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue it correctly, כֵּ֔ן (kên) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> So -- thus they seized וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּ (way·yō·ḥă·zū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_270.htm">Strong's 270: </a> To grasp, take hold, take possession him and killed וַיִּשְׁחָט֖וּהוּ (way·yiš·ḥā·ṭū·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7819.htm">Strong's 7819: </a> To slaughter, beat him at אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the fords מַעְבְּר֣וֹת (ma‘·bə·rō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4569.htm">Strong's 4569: </a> A crossing-place, a transit, overwhelming of the Jordan. הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine So at that הַהִיא֙ (ha·hî) Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are time בָּעֵ֤ת (bā·‘êṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> Time, now, when 42,000 אַרְבָּעִ֥ים (’ar·bā·‘îm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_705.htm">Strong's 705: </a> Forty Ephraimites מֵֽאֶפְרַ֔יִם (mê·’ep̄·ra·yim) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_669.htm">Strong's 669: </a> Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory were killed. וַיִּפֹּ֞ל (way·yip·pōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> To fall, lie <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/12-6.htm">Judges 12:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">OT History: Judges 12:6 Then said they to him Say now (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/12-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 12:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 12:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/12-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 12:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 12:7" /></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>