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Judges 12

Judg 12, Jdg 12, Jg 12, Jdgs 12


Judges 12

1 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.

2 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.

3 And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?

4 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.

5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;

6 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.

7 And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

8 And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.



9 And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.

10 Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.

11 And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.

12 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.

13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.

14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

15 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.

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Summary and the Meaning of Chapter 12 of the Book of Judges in KJV Holy Bible

The book of Judges is the seventh book of the Old Testament and tells the story of the Israelites from the death of Joshua to the time of the monarchy. It is a crucial period in the history of Israel as it marks their transition from a confederation of tribes to a united kingdom. Chapter 12 of the book of Judges focuses on the conflicts and leadership of the judges Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. It also highlights the ongoing tension between the tribes of Israel and the consequences of their actions.

The Main Themes of Chapter 12

1. Leadership and Conflict

The main theme of chapter 12 is leadership and conflict. The chapter begins with the story of Jephthah, who was a mighty warrior and the son of a prostitute. He was rejected by his brothers and driven away from his home. However, when the Ammonites made war against the Israelites, the elders of Gilead called upon Jephthah to lead them into battle. Jephthah made a vow to the Lord that if he was victorious, he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house to meet him. Unfortunately, it was his daughter who came out to greet him, and he fulfilled his vow by sacrificing her to the Lord. This story highlights the importance of strong leadership in times of conflict and the consequences of rash vows made to God.

The chapter also mentions the judges Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, who led Israel for a total of 25 years. While their leadership is not as prominent as that of Jephthah, it shows that even in times of peace, there is a need for wise and just leaders to guide the people.

2. Tribal Rivalry

Another major theme in this chapter is the ongoing tension and rivalry between the tribes of Israel. After Jephthah's victory over the Ammonites, the tribe of Ephraim was angered that they were not called to join the battle. They confronted Jephthah and even threatened to burn down his house. This incident highlights the fragile relationships between the tribes and the constant struggle for power and recognition.

The chapter also mentions the judges Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, who were from different tribes. This suggests that even though they were united as one nation, the tribes still maintained their individual identities and interests, which could lead to conflict and division.

3. The Consequences of Actions

The final theme of chapter 12 is the consequences of actions. After Jephthah's victory, the tribe of Ephraim was cut off from the other tribes, and they were unable to join in the spoils of war. This was a punishment for their arrogance and disobedience. Similarly, the story of Jephthah's vow and sacrifice of his daughter serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of making hasty and thoughtless promises. It also highlights the importance of fulfilling one's vows to God, even if it comes at a great personal cost.

The Meaning of Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of the book of Judges is a continuation of the ongoing cycle of sin, punishment, and redemption that is seen throughout the book. The Israelites had once again turned away from God, and as a result, they faced conflict and division among themselves. However, God raised up strong leaders to deliver them from their enemies and guide them back to Him.

The story of Jephthah's vow and sacrifice is a tragic reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of fulfilling one's promises to God. It also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was the fulfillment of all the sacrifices made in the Old Testament. Jephthah's daughter willingly offered herself as a sacrifice, just as Jesus willingly gave His life for the salvation of mankind.

The ongoing tension between the tribes of Israel also serves as a warning against the dangers of division and the importance of unity. The tribes were meant to work together as one nation under God, but their individual interests and rivalries often caused conflict and hindered their progress.

Overall, chapter 12 of the book of Judges highlights the importance of strong and just leadership, the consequences of disobedience, and the need for unity among God's people. It also points towards the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of God's plan for the salvation of mankind.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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