Bible Commentaries
Judges 12

Introduction

Overview

Judges 12:1, The Ephraimites, quarrelling with Jephthah, and discerned by Shibboleth, are slain by the Gileadites; Judges 12:7, Jephthah dies; Judges 12:8, Ibzan, who had thirty sons, and thirty daughters; Judges 12:11, and Elon; Judges 12:13, and Abdon, who had forty sons, and thirty nephews, judge Israel.

Verse 1

gathered: Heb. were called

Wherefore: Judges 8:1, 2 Samuel 19:41-43, Psalms 109:4, Ecclesiastes 4:4, John 10:32

we will burn: Judges 14:15, Judges 15:6, Proverbs 27:3, Proverbs 27:4, James 3:16, James 4:1, James 4:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:24 - Israel 2 Samuel 19:43 - the words 1 Kings 12:13 - answered Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 17:14 - beginning Proverbs 26:4 - General Mark 3:24 - General

Verse 2

I and my: Judges 11:12-33

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:24 - Israel

Verse 3

put: Judges 9:17, 1 Samuel 19:5, 1 Samuel 28:21, Job 13:14, Psalms 119:109, Romans 16:4, Revelation 12:11

wherefore: Judges 11:27, 2 Chronicles 13:12

Reciprocal: Proverbs 15:1 - grievous

Verse 4

and the men: Judges 11:10, Numbers 32:39, Numbers 32:40, Deuteronomy 3:12-17

fugitives: 1 Samuel 25:10, Nehemiah 4:4, Psalms 78:9, Proverbs 12:13, Proverbs 15:1

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:6 - wood of Ephraim James 3:6 - the tongue

Verse 5

Judges 3:28, Judges 7:24, Joshua 2:7, Joshua 22:11

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:1 - Ephrathite

Verse 6

Say now: Matthew 26:73, Mark 14:70

Shibboleth: which signifieth a stream, or flood, Psalms 69:2, Psalms 69:15, Isaiah 27:12, *Heb: Shibboleth also means an ear of corn (Job 24:24), and sibboleth signifies a burden - Exodus 6:6, and a heavy burden they were obliged to bear who could not pronounce this test letter. It is well known that several nations cannot pronounce certain letters. The sound of th cannot be pronounced by the Persians, no more than by some of our Continental neighbours; though it is a common sound among the Arabians. To this day, many of the German Jews cannot articulate ת th, for which they substitute ss; thus for baith, a house, they say baiss.

there fell: Proverbs 17:14, Proverbs 18:19, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Matthew 12:25, Galatians 5:15

forty: Arbaim ooshenayim aleph, "forty and two thousand." Here the ו, and, may mean simple addition; and this number may denote 2,040 and not 42,000. At the last census of the Israelites (Numbers 26:37) the whole tribe of Ephraim only amounted to 32,500, compared with which this last number appears far too great.

Reciprocal: Judges 18:3 - they knew Isaiah 29:21 - make

Verse 7

Reciprocal: Judges 10:18 - he shall be Hebrews 11:32 - Jephthae

Verse 8

Ibzan: am 2823, bc 1181, An, Ex, Is, 310, "He seems to have been only a civil judge to do justice in North-east Israel."

Bethlehem: Genesis 15:19, 1 Samuel 16:1, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1

Reciprocal: Ruth 1:1 - the judges Ruth 2:1 - Boaz

Verse 9

Judges 12:14, Judges 10:4

Reciprocal: Judges 8:30 - threescore Proverbs 5:16 - dispersed Jeremiah 29:6 - take wives

Verse 11

am 2830, bc 1174, An, Ex, Is, 317, "A civil judge in North-east Israel." Judges 12:11

Verse 12

Aijalon: Joshua 19:42, 1 Chronicles 6:69, 1 Chronicles 8:13

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:12 - Ajalon Judges 1:35 - Aijalon

Verse 13

am 2840, bc 1164, An, Ex, Is, 327, "A civil judge also in North-east Israel." Judges 12:13

Verse 14

nephews: Heb. sons' sons

rode: Judges 5:10, Judges 10:4

Reciprocal: Judges 8:30 - threescore Judges 12:9 - General 1 Samuel 7:16 - in circuit 1 Samuel 8:1 - sons judges 2 Kings 10:1 - seventy sons Matthew 21:5 - sitting John 12:15 - sitting 1 Timothy 5:4 - nephews

Verse 15

am 2848, bc 1156, An, Ex, Is, 335

Pirathonite: 2 Samuel 23:30

in the mount: Judges 3:13, Judges 3:27, Judges 5:14, Genesis 14:7, Exodus 17:8, 1 Samuel 15:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 11:29 - General