Judges12
English Standard Version
1The of were called to , and they to and to , Why did you cross to against the and did not us to with you? We will your over you with .
2And to them, and my a with the , and when I you, you did not me from their .
3And when I that you would not me, I my in my and against the , and the Lord them into my . Why then have you to me this to against me?
4Then all the of and with . And the of , because they , You are of , you , in the of .
5And the the of the against the . And when any of the of , Let me go , the of to him, Are you an ? When he , No,
6they to him, Then , and he , , for he could not . Then they him and him at the of the . At that of the .
7 . Then the and was in his in .
8 him of .
9He had , and he gave in , and he in from for his . And he .
10Then and was at .
11 him the , and he .
12Then the and was at in the of .
13 him the of the .
14He had and , on , and he .
15Then the of the and was at in the of , in the of the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Judges 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Ephraimites quarrel with Jephthah. (1–7). Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon judge Israel. (8–15).
vv1-7
The Ephraimites had the same quarrel with Jephthah as with Gideon. Pride was at the bottom of the quarrel; only by that comes contention. It is ill to fasten names of reproach upon persons or countries, as is common, especially upon those under outward disadvantages. It often occasions quarrels that prove of ill consequence, as it did here. No contentions are so bitter as those between brethren or rivals for honour. What need we have to watch and pray against evil tempers! May the Lord incline all his people to follow after things which make for peace!
vv8-15
We have here a short account of three more of the judges of Israel. The happiest life of individuals, and the happiest state of society, is that which affords the fewest remarkable events. To live in credit and quiet, to be peacefully useful to those around us, to possess a clear conscience; but, above all, and without which nothing can avail, to enjoy communion with God our Saviour while we live, and to die at peace with God and man, form the substance of all that a wise man can desire.
Key Words
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶפְרַיִם: Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
צָעַק: to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
עָבַר: to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation)
צָפוֹן: properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown)
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
יִפְתָּח: Jiphtach, an Israelite; also a place in Palestine
לָחַם: to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
קָרָא: to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יָלַךְ: to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
Cross References
Judges 12Ephraim's prideful, irritable complaint to Jephthah mirrors their earlier contentious behavior toward Gideon.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Exemplifies the idiomatic expression 'I put my life in my hands' to represent imminent danger.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel use of the Hebrew idiom of putting one's life in one's hand to face danger.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Another occurrence of the biblical idiom 'put my life in my hand' signifying extreme risk.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrast: Ephraim previously seized the waters of Jordan against Midian, but now Gilead takes them against Ephraim.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates how a regional accent or pronunciation (dialect) betrays a person's geographic origin.
Supported by JFB
Details the preceding diplomatic and military struggle Jephthah had with the Ammonites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Apostolic confirmation of Jephthah's inclusion among the exemplars of faith.
Supported by JFB
Parallel description of a minor judge (Jair) with numerous sons and status-revealing ass colts.
Supported by JFB
The large number of children reflects polygamy and the prestigious status of the judge.
Supported by JFB
Biblical maxim stating that pride is the fundamental cause of such bitter contentions.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct parallel in the immediate context of Abdon's extensive progeny riding ass colts.
Supported by JFB
Parallel threat of burning someone's house down with fire, showing the volatile culture.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal echo of riding on white asses as a symbol of nobility and leadership.
Supported by Matthew Henry