1 The men of Ephraim mobilised; they crossed the Jordan near Zaphon and said to Jephthah, 'Why did you go and make war on the Ammonites without asking us to go with you? We shall burn down your house over your head!'
2 Jephthah replied, 'My people and I were in serious conflict with the Ammonites. I summoned you, but you did not come to rescue me from them.
3 When I saw that no one was coming to rescue me, I took my life in my hands and marched against the Ammonites, and Yahweh handed them over to me. So why advance on me today to make war on me?'
4 Jephthah then mustered all the men of Gilead and made war on Ephraim, and the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim -- since the latter used to say, 'You are only fugitives from Ephraim, you Gileadites in the heart of Ephraim and Manasseh.'
5 Gilead then cut Ephraim off from the fords of the Jordan, and whenever Ephraimite fugitives said, 'Let me cross,' the men of Gilead would ask, 'Are you an Ephraimite?' If he said, 'No,'
6 they then said, 'Very well, say Shibboleth.' If anyone said, "Sibboleth", because he could not pronounce it, then they would seize him and kill him by the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell on this occasion.
7 Jephthah judged Israel for six years. Jephthah the Gileadite then died and was buried in his town, in Gilead.
8 After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem was judge in Israel.
9 He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters in marriage outside his clan and brought in thirty brides from outside for his sons. He was judge in Israel for seven years.
10 Ibzan then died and was buried in Bethlehem.
11 After him, Elon of Zebulun was judge in Israel. He was judge in Israel for ten years.
12 Elon of Zebulun then died and was buried at Aijalon in the territory of Zebulun.
13 After him, Abdon son of Hillel of Pirathon was judge in Israel.
14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode seventy young donkeys. He was judge in Israel for eight years.
15 Abdon son of Hillel of Pirathon then died and was buried at Pirathon in the territory of Ephraim, in the Amalekite highlands.
Versículos relacionados com Judges, 12:
Judges 12 narrates the dispute between the men of Gilead and the Ephraimites. Ephraimites question the exclusion of their war tribe against ammon and threaten to invade Gilead. Gilead's leader Jeth leads his troops to defeat the Ephraimites and control the passages of the Jordan River.
Joshua 22:10: "And when they reached the lands of Gilead, who belonged to Israel, the sons of Rúben, the sons of Gade, and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar next to Jordan, a large altar in appearance." This verse talks about building an altar for the sons of Rúben, Gade and Manasseh in Gilead, where the battle between Gilead and Efraim happened.
Psalm 60:8: "In God we will do prowess, because He will calculate our opponents to the feet." This verse talks about trust in God to help overcome enemies, something that Gilead's men did in the battle against the Ephraimites.
Isaiah 9:21: "Manasseh to Ephraim, and Ephraim to Manasseh, and both unite against Judah. However, his wrath has not deviated, and his hand is still extended to hurt." This verse talks about the rivalry between the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, a rivalry that manifested itself in the battle against Gilead.
Proverbs 15:1: "The mild answer deflects the furor, but the word lasts raises anger." This verse talks about the importance of answering calmly and kindly to avoid conflict, something that the Ephraimites did not do by threatening Gilead.
Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, how much it depends on you, tend peace with all men." This verse talks about the importance of peace and reconciliation, something that Gilead's men sought after the battle against the Ephraimites.
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