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They said to Jephthah, &#8220Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We&#8217re going to burn down your house over your head.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/judges/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then the people of Ephraim mobilized an army and crossed over the Jordan River to Zaphon. They sent this message to Jephthah: “Why didn’t you call for us to help you fight against the Ammonites? We are going to burn down your house with you in it!” <a href="/esv/judges/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” <a href="/bsb/judges/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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!” <a href="/kjv/judges/12.htm">King James Bible</a> And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire. <a href="/nkjv/judges/12.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!” <a href="/nasb_/judges/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you!” <a href="/nasb/judges/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, &#8220Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/judges/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.” <a href="/lsb/judges/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon, but did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.” <a href="/amp/judges/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The men of [the tribe of] Ephraim were summoned [to action], and they crossed over to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight with the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? [For that] we will burn your house down upon you.” <a href="/csb/judges/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The men of Ephraim were called together and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight against the Ammonites but didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house with you in it! ” <a href="/hcsb/judges/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The men of Ephraim were called together and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, &#8220Why have you crossed over to fight against the Ammonites but didn&#8217t call us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you in it!&#8221 <a href="/asv/judges/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thy house upon thee with fire. <a href="/cev/judges/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The men of the Ephraim tribe got together an army and went across the Jordan River to Zaphon to meet with Jephthah. They said, "Why did you go to war with the Ammonites without asking us to help? Just for that, we're going to burn down your house with you inside!" <a href="/erv/judges/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire. <a href="/gwt/judges/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The men of Ephraim were summoned to fight. They crossed [the Jordan River] to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, "Why did you fight against Ammon without inviting us to go with you? Now we're going to burn your house down with you in it." <a href="/gnt/judges/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> The men of Ephraim prepared for battle; they crossed the Jordan River to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross the border to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We'll burn the house down over your head!" <a href="/isv/judges/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> A little while later, the army of Ephraim was mustered, and they crossed to Zaphon. They confronted Jephthah and asked, "Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to accompany you? We're going to burn your house down around you!" <a href="/msb/judges/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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!? <a href="/net/judges/12.htm">NET Bible</a> The Ephraimites assembled and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, "Why did you go and fight with the Ammonites without asking us to go with you? We will burn your house down right over you!" <a href="/nheb/judges/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, "Why did you pass over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house on you with fire." <a href="/wbt/judges/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the men of Ephraim assembled, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why didst thou pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee; we will burn thy house upon thee with fire. <a href="/web/judges/12.htm">World English Bible</a> The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the men of Ephraim are called together, and pass over northward, and say to Jephthah, “Why have you passed over to fight against the sons of Ammon, and have not called on us to go with you? We burn your house with fire over you.” <a href="/ylt/judges/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the men of Ephraim are called together, and pass over northward, and say to Jephthah, 'Wherefore has thou passed over to fight against the Bene-Ammon, and on us hast not called to go with thee? thy house we burn over thee with fire.' <a href="/slt/judges/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And a man of Ephraim will cry out and will pass over north, and they will say to Jephthah, Why didst thou pass over to war against the sons of Ammon and didst not call to us to go with thee? we will burn thy house upon thee with fire.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But behold there arose a sedition in Ephraim. And passing towards the north, they said to Jephte: When thou wentest to fight against the children of Ammon, why wouldst thou not call us, that we might go with thee? Therefore we will burn thy house. <a href="/cpdv/judges/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And behold, a sedition rose up in Ephraim. Then, while passing by toward the north, they said to Jephthah: “When you were going to fight against the sons of Ammon, why were you unwilling to summon us, so that we might go with you? Therefore, we will burn down your house.” <a href="/nabre/judges/12.htm">New American Bible</a> The men of Ephraim were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you go to fight with the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house on top of you.” <a href="/nrsvce/judges/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down over you!”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THEN the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why did you cross over to fight against the children of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire. <a href="/hpbt/judges/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the men of Aphreim cried out and they crossed to the north and they said to Naphthakh: “Why did you cross over to fight with the sons of Amon and you did not call us to go with you? We are burning your house over you in fire!<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed to Zaphon; and they said unto Jephthah: 'Wherefore didst thou pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thy house upon thee with fire.' <a href="/sep/judges/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the men of Ephraim assembled themselves, and passed on to the north, and said to Jephthae, Wherefore didst thou go over to fight with the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thy house over thee with fire. <a href="/parallel/judges/12-1.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=3775" 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> 1<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.">Then the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/669.htm" title="669: ’ep̄·ra·yim (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.">of Ephraim</a> <a href="/hebrew/6817.htm" title="6817: way·yiṣ·ṣā·‘êq (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To cry, cry out, call. A primitive root; to shriek; to proclaim.">assembled</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">and crossed the Jordan</a> <a href="/hebrew/6828.htm" title="6828: ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- North. Or tsaphon; from tsaphan; properly, hidden, i.e. Dark; used only of the north as a quarter.">to Zaphon.</a> <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 said</a> <a href="/hebrew/3316.htm" title="3316: lə·yip̄·tāḥ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- From pathach; he will open; Jiphtach, an Israelite; also a place in Palestine.">to Jephthah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·dū·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ‘ā·ḇar·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">have you crossed over</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: lə·hil·lā·ḥêm (Prep-l:: V-Nifal-Inf) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">to fight</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: biḇ·nê- (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">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/wə·lā·nū (Conj-w:: Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">calling us</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lā·le·ḵeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">to go</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·māḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with you?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">We will burn your house</a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: niś·rōp̄ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">down</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: bā·’êš (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">with you inside!”</a> 2But 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.…<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="/judges/8-1.htm">Judges 8:1-3</a> 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. <a href="/judges/11-4.htm">Judges 11:4-11</a> Some time later, when the Ammonites fought against Israel / and made war with them, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. / “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so that we can fight against the Ammonites.” ... <a href="/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4-7</a> So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. / “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. ... <a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">2 Samuel 19:41-43</a> 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. <a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">1 Kings 12:16-20</a> When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ... <a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a> A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Proverbs 17:14</a> To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. <a href="/proverbs/18-19.htm">Proverbs 18:19</a> An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle. <a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">Proverbs 25:8</a> do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? <a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm">Isaiah 9:21</a> Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. <a href="/matthew/5-9.htm">Matthew 5:9</a> Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a> 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. <a href="/luke/9-52.htm">Luke 9:52-56</a> He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. / But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. / When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ... <a href="/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1-3</a> When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John / (although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples), / He left Judea and returned to Galilee. <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Acts 6:1-7</a> In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why passed you over to fight against the children of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? we will burn your house on you with fire.gathered.<a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Judges 8:1</a> And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.<a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">2 Samuel 19:41-43</a> And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? … <a href="/psalms/109-4.htm">Psalm 109:4</a> For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.we will burn<a href="/judges/14-15.htm">Judges 14:15</a> And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?<a href="/judges/15-6.htm">Judges 15:6</a> Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.<a href="/proverbs/27-3.htm">Proverbs 27:3,4</a> A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/11-36.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/10-17.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/judges/9-52.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/judges/11-36.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/10-9.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/judges/11-34.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/11-40.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/joshua/19-27.htm">Northward</a> <a href="/judges/11-32.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/11-20.htm">Together</a> <a href="/judges/11-27.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/joshua/13-27.htm">Zaphon</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/judges/16-23.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/judges/14-15.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/12-4.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/judges/14-15.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Jephthah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-5.htm">Northward</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/judges/15-9.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/12-4.htm">Together</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/psalms/48-2.htm">Zaphon</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>Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. The tribe of Ephraim was one of the most prominent tribes in Israel, often asserting its influence and power. Their assembly and crossing of the Jordan indicate a significant mobilization, suggesting a strong sense of grievance or entitlement. Zaphon, likely located in the territory of Gad, was a strategic location for crossing the Jordan River. This movement reflects the tribal tensions and rivalries that were common in the period of the Judges, as tribes often acted independently and sometimes in conflict with one another.They said to Jephthah, Jephthah was a judge of Israel, known for his leadership and military prowess. His background as the son of a harlot and his initial rejection by his family highlight themes of redemption and God's use of unlikely individuals for His purposes. The Ephraimites' approach to Jephthah underscores their dissatisfaction and the expectation of being included in military campaigns, reflecting their desire for honor and spoils of war.“Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? The Ammonites were a perennial enemy of Israel, often oppressing them. Jephthah's campaign against them was a significant military victory. The Ephraimites' question reveals their anger at being excluded from the battle, which they perceived as a slight against their honor and a missed opportunity for plunder. This reflects the tribal dynamics of the time, where alliances and participation in battles were crucial for maintaining status and influence.We will burn your house down with you inside!” This threat of violence indicates the severity of the Ephraimites' anger and the potential for civil conflict within Israel. Such internal strife was not uncommon during the time of the Judges, a period marked by a lack of centralized leadership and frequent cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance. The threat also highlights the volatile nature of tribal relationships and the lengths to which tribes would go to assert their grievances. This internal discord contrasts with the unity and peace that God desired for His people, as seen in other parts of Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/men_of_ephraim.htm">Men of Ephraim</a> A tribe of Israel known for their strength and pride. They felt slighted for not being called to battle. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah</a> A judge of Israel, known for his leadership and vow, who led Israel to victory over the Ammonites. 3. <a href="/topical/z/zaphon.htm">Zaphon</a> A location where the men of Ephraim gathered, possibly a strategic or significant place for confrontation. 4. <a href="/topical/a/ammonites.htm">Ammonites</a> A neighboring nation often in conflict with Israel, whom Jephthah defeated. 5. <a href="/topical/c/conflict.htm">Conflict</a> The tension between Jephthah and the Ephraimites highlights issues of pride, communication, and unity among the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride.htm">The Danger of Pride</a> Pride can lead to unnecessary conflict and division, as seen with the Ephraimites. We must guard against pride in our own lives and seek humility. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_communication.htm">The Importance of Communication</a> Misunderstandings and assumptions can lead to conflict. Effective communication is crucial in maintaining unity and resolving disputes. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Unity in the Body of Christ</a> Just as the tribes of Israel were meant to work together, the church today must strive for unity, valuing each member's contribution. <a href="/topical/h/handling_conflict_biblically.htm">Handling Conflict Biblically</a> When faced with conflict, seek resolution through prayer, understanding, and biblical principles rather than threats or violence. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a> God raises leaders according to His purpose. Trust in His sovereignty, even when leadership decisions are not understood or agreed upon.<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/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> <a href="/q/how_does_psalm_133's_unity_fit_ot_conflicts.htm">How does Psalm 133’s ideal of unity reconcile with the frequent internal conflicts depicted elsewhere in the Old Testament? </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/judges_12_1-7__unity_or_conflict.htm">Judges 12:1-7 - How does the narrative align with or contradict earlier portrayals of tribal unity and cooperation in Judges?</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>(1) Gathered themselves together.--Literally, were called. Hence the Vulg. renders it "a sedition arose in Ephraim." No doubt the phrase arose from the circulation of some warlike summons--whether watchword or token--among the tribe (<a href="/context/judges/7-23.htm" title="And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.">Judges 7:23-24</a>; <a href="/judges/10-17.htm" title="Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.">Judges 10:17</a>).Northward.--Mizpeh in Gilead lay to the northeast of the tribe of Ephraim. The Hebrew word is Tsaphonah, rendered Sephenia in some MSS. of the LXX. (Cod. A., Kephenia). Hence some suppose that it means "towards Tsaphon," a town in the Jordan valley not far from Succoth, which the Jews identified with Amathus (<a href="/joshua/13-27.htm" title="And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even to the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.">Joshua 13:27</a>).And didst not call us.--The tribe of Ephraim throughout the Book of Judges is represented in a most unenviable light--slothful and acquiescent in time of oppression, and turbulently arrogant when others have taken the initiative and won the victory (<a href="/context/joshua/17-14.htm" title="And the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, for as much as the LORD has blessed me till now?">Joshua 17:14-18</a>; <a href="/judges/8-1.htm" title="And the men of Ephraim said to him, Why have you served us thus, that you called us not, when you went to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.">Judges 8:1</a>). They brought on their own heads the terrible disgrace and humiliation which Jephthah inflicted on them. They resembled Sparta in dilatoriness, and perhaps in courage; but when Athens had won Marathon, Sparta had at least the generosity to congratulate her (Herod. v. 20). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Northward, or, otherwise rendered, to Zaphon, a city of the Gadites mentioned in <a href="/joshua/13-27.htm">Joshua 13:27</a> together with Succoth, and thought to be the modern, Amateh on the Wady Rajlb (see Vanderveld's map). It is difficult to say with certainty which rendering is right, but on the whole the latter seems most probable. Although Gilead does lie north-east of Ephraim, it hardly seems a natural description of the Ephraimite movement to say they "went northwards;" whereas if they marched to Zaphon the phrase would be precise. The previous phrase, gathered themselves together, means mustered for battle, as in <a href="/judges/7-23.htm">Judges 7:23, 24</a>. We will burn thine house, etc. - the same savage threat as the Philistine youths made use of to induce Samson's wife to discover and reveal his riddle (<a href="/judges/14-15.htm">Judges 14:15</a>), and as the Philistines actually put in practice upon her and her father in revenge for the destruction of their corn (<a href="/judges/15-6.htm">Judges 15:6</a>). Passedst thou over, as in <a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Judges 11:29, 32</a>; <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Judges 12:3</a>. <a href="/commentaries/judges/12-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the men אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person of Ephraim אֶפְרַ֔יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim) 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 assembled וַיִּצָּעֵק֙ (way·yiṣ·ṣā·‘êq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6817.htm">Strong's 6817: </a> To shriek, to proclaim and crossed [the Jordan] וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on to Zaphon. צָפ֑וֹנָה (ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6828.htm">Strong's 6828: </a> Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter They said וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ (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 to Jephthah, לְיִפְתָּ֜ח (lə·yip̄·tāḥ) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3316.htm">Strong's 3316: </a> Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah “Why מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ (mad·dū·a‘) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> Why? for what reason? have you crossed over עָבַ֣רְתָּ ׀ (‘ā·ḇar·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on to fight לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm) Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> To feed on, to consume, to battle the Ammonites בִּבְנֵי־ (biḇ·nê-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son without לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no calling קָרָ֙אתָ֙ (qā·rā·ṯā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read us to go לָלֶ֣כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk with you? עִמָּ֔ךְ (‘im·māḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with We will burn your house בֵּיתְךָ֕ (bê·ṯə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house down נִשְׂרֹ֥ף (niś·rōp̄) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> To be, on fire with you inside!” בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/12-1.htm">OT History: Judges 12:1 The men of Ephraim were gathered together (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/11-40.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 11:40"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 11:40" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/12-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 12:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 12:2" /></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>