Judges 12:1-6
Summary for Judg 12:1-6: 12:1-6 a Ephraim once again felt neglected (cp. 8:1-3 b) and sought revenge. In contrast to Gideon’s policy, Jephthah’s response blamed Ephraim and resulted in civil war. 12:1 c Zaphon was just east of the Jordan River, across from the tribal area of Ephraim.12:2 d There is no record of Jephthah’s earlier appeal.
12:4 e It is unclear why the people of Ephraim were taunting the men of Gilead. Perhaps they resented or looked down on the Israelites who lived east of the Jordan River.
12:5 f The Jordan River could only be forded at shallow crossings where tributaries had deposited silt, as was probably the case where the Jabbok flowed into the Jordan.
12:6 g The term Shibboleth has come to mean any password used to identify imposters. Such linguistic litmus tests have been used by armies throughout history.
• 42,000 Ephraimites: This number could possibly be translated as “42 troops” (see study note on Exod 12:37).
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