Judges 12:1
New International Version
The Ephraimite forces were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We’re going to burn down your house over your head.”

New Living Translation
Then the people of Ephraim mobilized an army and crossed over the Jordan River to Zaphon. They sent this message to Jephthah: “Why didn’t you call for us to help you fight against the Ammonites? We are going to burn down your house with you in it!”

English Standard Version
The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!”

New American Standard Bible
Now the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you!”

NASB 1995
Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.”

NASB 1977
Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon, but did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.”

Amplified Bible
The men of [the tribe of] Ephraim were summoned [to action], and they crossed over to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight with the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? [For that] we will burn your house down upon you.”

Christian Standard Bible
The men of Ephraim were called together and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight against the Ammonites but didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house with you in it! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The men of Ephraim were called together and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight against the Ammonites but didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you in it!”

American Standard Version
And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they 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 thy house upon thee with fire.

Contemporary English Version
The men of the Ephraim tribe got together an army and went across the Jordan River to Zaphon to meet with Jephthah. They said, "Why did you go to war with the Ammonites without asking us to help? Just for that, we're going to burn down your house with you inside!"

English Revised Version
And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The men of Ephraim were summoned to fight. They crossed [the Jordan River] to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, "Why did you fight against Ammon without inviting us to go with you? Now we're going to burn your house down with you in it."

Good News Translation
The men of Ephraim prepared for battle; they crossed the Jordan River to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross the border to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We'll burn the house down over your head!"

International Standard Version
A little while later, the army of Ephraim was mustered, and they crossed to Zaphon. They confronted Jephthah and asked, "Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to accompany you? We're going to burn your house down around you!"

Majority Standard Bible
Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!”

NET Bible
The Ephraimites assembled and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, "Why did you go and fight with the Ammonites without asking us to go with you? We will burn your house down right over you!"

New Heart English Bible
The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, "Why did you pass over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house on you with fire."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the men of Ephraim assembled, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why didst thou pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee; we will burn thy house upon thee with fire.

World English Bible
The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the men of Ephraim are called together, and pass over northward, and say to Jephthah, “Why have you passed over to fight against the sons of Ammon, and have not called on us to go with you? We burn your house with fire over you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the men of Ephraim are called together, and pass over northward, and say to Jephthah, 'Wherefore has thou passed over to fight against the Bene-Ammon, and on us hast not called to go with thee? thy house we burn over thee with fire.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And a man of Ephraim will cry out and will pass over north, and they will say to Jephthah, Why didst thou pass over to war against the sons of Ammon and didst not call to us to go with thee? we will burn thy house upon thee with fire.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But behold there arose a sedition in Ephraim. And passing towards the north, they said to Jephte: When thou wentest to fight against the children of Ammon, why wouldst thou not call us, that we might go with thee? Therefore we will burn thy house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And behold, a sedition rose up in Ephraim. Then, while passing by toward the north, they said to Jephthah: “When you were going to fight against the sons of Ammon, why were you unwilling to summon us, so that we might go with you? Therefore, we will burn down your house.”

New American Bible
The men of Ephraim were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you go to fight with the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house on top of you.”

New Revised Standard Version
The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down over you!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEN the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why did you cross over to fight against the children of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men of Aphreim cried out and they crossed to the north and they said to Naphthakh: “Why did you cross over to fight with the sons of Amon and you did not call us to go with you? We are burning your house over you in fire!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed to Zaphon; and they said unto Jephthah: 'Wherefore didst thou pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thy house upon thee with fire.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men of Ephraim assembled themselves, and passed on to the north, and said to Jephthae, Wherefore didst thou go over to fight with the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thy house over thee with fire.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Defeats Ephraim
1Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!” 2But Jephthah replied, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands.…

Cross References
Judges 8:1-3
Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently. / But Gideon answered them, “Now what have I accomplished compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer? / God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, into your hand. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided.

Judges 11:4-11
Some time later, when the Ammonites fought against Israel / and made war with them, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. / “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so that we can fight against the Ammonites.” ...

1 Samuel 8:4-7
So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. / “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. ...

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

1 Kings 12:16-20
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ...

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 17:14
To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

Proverbs 18:19
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 25:8
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

Isaiah 9:21
Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Luke 9:52-56
He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. / But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. / When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ...

John 4:1-3
When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John / (although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples), / He left Judea and returned to Galilee.

Acts 6:1-7
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why passed you over to fight against the children of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? we will burn your house on you with fire.

gathered.

Judges 8:1
And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

2 Samuel 19:41-43
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? …

Psalm 109:4
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

we will burn

Judges 14:15
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?

Judges 15:6
Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

Proverbs 27:3,4
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both…

Jump to Previous
Ammon Assembled Burn Children Ephraim House Jephthah Northward Passed Themselves Together Wherefore Zaphon
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Ammon Assembled Burn Children Ephraim House Jephthah Northward Passed Themselves Together Wherefore Zaphon
Judges 12
1. The Ephraimites, quarrelling with Jephthah, are slain by the Gileadites
7. Jephthah dies
8. Ibzan, who had thirty sons, and thirty daughters
11. and Elon
13. and Abdon, who had forty sons, and thirty nephews, judge Israel














Then the men of Ephraim
The tribe of Ephraim, descended from Joseph's son, was one of the most prominent tribes in Israel. Historically, Ephraim held a position of influence and power, often seen as a leader among the tribes. The Hebrew root for "Ephraim" is "אֶפְרַיִם" (Ephrayim), meaning "fruitful." This reflects the tribe's significant role and the blessings pronounced over Joseph's descendants. The men of Ephraim, however, often displayed a sense of entitlement and pride, as seen in their confrontations with other tribes, including Gideon in Judges 8.

were summoned to cross over to Zaphon
The phrase indicates a call to action, suggesting a mobilization of the tribe for a specific purpose. "Zaphon" is a location east of the Jordan River, possibly indicating a strategic or significant place for gathering. The act of crossing over implies a transition or movement, both physically and spiritually, as the tribe prepares to confront Jephthah. This movement can symbolize a shift in alliances or intentions, reflecting the turbulent and often fractious nature of tribal relations in ancient Israel.

They said to Jephthah
Jephthah, a judge of Israel, was a Gileadite known for his leadership and military prowess. His name in Hebrew, "יִפְתָּח" (Yiphtach), means "he opens" or "whom God sets free," highlighting his role as a deliverer of Israel. The Ephraimites' approach to Jephthah is confrontational, revealing underlying tensions and jealousy. This interaction underscores the recurring theme of internal strife within Israel, where personal and tribal pride often led to conflict.

Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites
The question posed by the Ephraimites reveals their grievance: they felt excluded from the victory over the Ammonites. The Ammonites were a perennial enemy of Israel, and defeating them was a significant achievement. The phrase "cross over" suggests a deliberate action taken by Jephthah, emphasizing his initiative and leadership. The Ephraimites' question reflects their desire for recognition and participation in Israel's military successes, highlighting the competitive nature of tribal dynamics.

without calling us to go with you?
This phrase underscores the Ephraimites' sense of exclusion and their expectation of being included in significant national endeavors. The Hebrew concept of "calling" implies an invitation or summons, which carries a sense of honor and duty. The absence of such a call to Ephraim is perceived as a slight, exacerbating their pride and leading to their aggressive response. This reflects the broader biblical theme of unity and the dangers of division within God's people.

We will burn your house down with you inside!
The threat issued by the Ephraimites is severe and violent, indicating the depth of their anger and resentment. Fire, in biblical terms, often symbolizes judgment and destruction. The imagery of burning a house with its inhabitant reflects a total annihilation, a drastic measure born out of intense emotion. This threat highlights the destructive potential of unchecked pride and jealousy, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of internal discord among God's people.

(1) Gathered themselves together.--Literally, were called. Hence the Vulg. renders it "a sedition arose in Ephraim." No doubt the phrase arose from the circulation of some warlike summons--whether watchword or token--among the tribe (Judges 7:23-24; Judges 10:17).

Northward.--Mizpeh in Gilead lay to the northeast of the tribe of Ephraim. The Hebrew word is Tsaphonah, rendered Sephenia in some MSS. of the LXX. (Cod. A., Kephenia). Hence some suppose that it means "towards Tsaphon," a town in the Jordan valley not far from Succoth, which the Jews identified with Amathus (Joshua 13:27).

And didst not call us.--The tribe of Ephraim throughout the Book of Judges is represented in a most unenviable light--slothful and acquiescent in time of oppression, and turbulently arrogant when others have taken the initiative and won the victory (Joshua 17:14-18; Judges 8:1). They brought on their own heads the terrible disgrace and humiliation which Jephthah inflicted on them. They resembled Sparta in dilatoriness, and perhaps in courage; but when Athens had won Marathon, Sparta had at least the generosity to congratulate her (Herod. v. 20). . . .

Verse 1. - Northward, or, otherwise rendered, to Zaphon, a city of the Gadites mentioned in Joshua 13:27 together with Succoth, and thought to be the modern, Amateh on the Wady Rajlb (see Vanderveld's map). It is difficult to say with certainty which rendering is right, but on the whole the latter seems most probable. Although Gilead does lie north-east of Ephraim, it hardly seems a natural description of the Ephraimite movement to say they "went northwards;" whereas if they marched to Zaphon the phrase would be precise. The previous phrase, gathered themselves together, means mustered for battle, as in Judges 7:23, 24. We will burn thine house, etc. - the same savage threat as the Philistine youths made use of to induce Samson's wife to discover and reveal his riddle (Judges 14:15), and as the Philistines actually put in practice upon her and her father in revenge for the destruction of their corn (Judges 15:6). Passedst thou over, as in Judges 11:29, 32; Judges 12:3.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the men
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Ephraim
אֶפְרַ֔יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

assembled
וַיִּצָּעֵק֙ (way·yiṣ·ṣā·‘êq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6817: To shriek, to proclaim

and crossed [the Jordan]
וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to Zaphon.
צָפ֑וֹנָה (ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

They said
וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Jephthah,
לְיִפְתָּ֜ח (lə·yip̄·tāḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3316: Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah

“Why
מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

have you crossed over
עָבַ֣רְתָּ ׀ (‘ā·ḇar·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to fight
לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

the Ammonites
בִּבְנֵי־ (biḇ·nê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

without
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

calling
קָרָ֙אתָ֙ (qā·rā·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

us to go
לָלֶ֣כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with you?
עִמָּ֔ךְ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

We will burn your house
בֵּיתְךָ֕ (bê·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

down
נִשְׂרֹ֥ף (niś·rōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 8313: To be, on fire

with you inside!”
בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ (bā·’êš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire


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OT History: Judges 12:1 The men of Ephraim were gathered together (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 11:40
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