Judges 12:6
New International Version
they said, “All right, say ‘Shibboleth.’” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce the word correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time.

New Living Translation
they would tell him to say “Shibboleth.” If he was from Ephraim, he would say “Sibboleth,” because people from Ephraim cannot pronounce the word correctly. Then they would take him and kill him at the shallow crossings of the Jordan. In all, 42,000 Ephraimites were killed at that time.

English Standard Version
they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 of the Ephraimites fell.

Berean Standard Bible
they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
then they would say to him, “Then say, ‘Shibboleth’!” And he would say, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they would take him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. There fell at that time forty-two thousand Ephraimites.

New American Standard Bible
then they would say to him, “Just say, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he was not prepared to pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the crossing places of the Jordan. So at that time forty-two thousand from Ephraim fell.

NASB 1995
then they would say to him, “Say now, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim.

NASB 1977
then they would say to him, “Say now, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim.

Legacy Standard Bible
then they would say to him, “Say now, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim.

Amplified Bible
they said to him, “Then say ‘Shibboleth.’” And he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites fell.

Christian Standard Bible
they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and executed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time forty-two thousand from Ephraim died.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 from Ephraim died.

American Standard Version
then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth; for he could not frame to pronounce it right: then they laid hold on him, and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand.

Contemporary English Version
The guards would then tell them to say "Shibboleth," because they knew that people of Ephraim could say "Sibboleth," but not "Shibboleth." If the man said "Sibboleth," the guards would grab him and kill him right there. Altogether, 42,000 men from Ephraim were killed in the battle and at the Jordan.

English Revised Version
then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth; for he could not frame to pronounce it right; then they laid hold on him, and slew him at the fords of Jordan: and there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
they would tell him, "Say the word [shibboleth]." If the fugitive would say [sibboleth], because he couldn't pronounce the word correctly, they would grab him and kill him at the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. At that time 42,000 men from Ephraim died.

Good News Translation
they would tell him to say "Shibboleth." But he would say "Sibboleth," because he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they would grab him and kill him there at one of the Jordan River crossings. At that time forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites were killed.

International Standard Version
they would order him, "Pronounce the word 'Shibboleth' right now." If he said "Sibboleth," not being able to pronounce it correctly, they would seize him and slaughter him there at the fords of the Jordan River. During those days 42,000 descendants of Ephraim died that way.

Majority Standard Bible
they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed.

NET Bible
then they said to him, "Say 'Shibboleth!'" If he said, "Sibboleth" (and could not pronounce the word correctly), they grabbed him and executed him right there at the fords of the Jordan. On that day forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell dead.

New Heart English Bible
then they said to him, "Now say 'Shibboleth;'" and he said "Sibboleth"; for he couldn't manage to pronounce it right: then they seized him, and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. There fell at that time of Ephraim forty-two thousand.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said they to 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.

World English Bible
then they said to him, “Now say ‘Shibboleth;’” and he said “Sibboleth”; for he couldn’t manage to pronounce it correctly, then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand of Ephraim fell.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
that they say to him, “Now say, Shibboleth”; and he says, “Sibboleth,” and is not prepared to speak right—and they seize him, and slaughter him at the passages of the Jordan, and there fall at that time, of Ephraim, forty-two chiefs.

Young's Literal Translation
that they say to him, 'Say, I pray thee, Shibboleth;' and he saith, 'Sibboleth,' and is not prepared to speak right -- and they seize him, and slaughter him at the passages of the Jordan, and there fall at that time, of Ephraim, forty and two chiefs.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will say to him, Say now Shibboleth: and he will say, Sibboleth and he will not form to speak thus. And they will seize him and they will slaughter him at the passages of Jordan. And there will fall in that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They asked him: Say then, Scibboleth, which is interpreted, An ear of corn. But he answered, Sibboleth, not being able to express an ear of corn by the same letter. Then presently they took him and killed him in the very passage of the Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim two and forty thousand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
they would ask him, then say ‘Shibboleth,’ which is translated as ‘ear of grain.’ But he would answer ‘Sibboleth,’ not being able to express the word for an ear of grain in the same letters. And immediately apprehending him, they would cut his throat, at the same crossing point of the Jordan. And in that time of Ephraim, forty-two thousand fell.

New American Bible
they would ask him to say “Shibboleth.” If he said “Sibboleth,” not pronouncing it exactly right, they would seize him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell at that time.

New Revised Standard Version
they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites fell at that time.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then they said to him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth; for he could not pronounce it so. Then they took him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan; and there fell at that time forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They were saying to him: “Say ‘shebla’”; he said “Sebla” because he was not able to speak in this way, and they took him and they killed him at the crossing of Jordan, and there fell at that time forty and two thousand from Aphreim
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
then said they unto him: 'Say now Shibboleth'; and he said 'Sibboleth'; for he could not frame to pronounce it right; then they laid hold on him, and slew him at the fords of the Jordan; and there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then they said to him, Say now Stachys; and he did not rightly pronounce it so: and they took him, and slew him at the fords of Jordan; and there fell at that time of Ephraim two and forty thousand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Defeats Ephraim
5The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites would ask him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No,” 6they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed. 7Jephthah judged Israel six years, and when he died, he was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.…

Cross References
Matthew 26:73
After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”

Mark 14:70
But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.”

Acts 2:7
Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

John 7:52
“Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.”

Nehemiah 13:24
Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.

2 Kings 17:28-29
Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD. / Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places.

Genesis 31:47
Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.

1 Kings 22:27
and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

Isaiah 28:11
Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people

1 Corinthians 14:11
If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

Acts 22:2
When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,

John 18:17
At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered.

Luke 22:59
About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.”

2 Kings 18:26
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

2 Kings 18:28
Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out loudly in Hebrew: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria!


Treasury of Scripture

Then said they to 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.

Say now.

Matthew 26:73
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Mark 14:70
And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

Shibboleth.

Psalm 69:2,15
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me…

Isaiah 27:12
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.

Shibboleth.

Job 24:24
They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.

and sibboleth signifies a burden.

Exodus 6:6
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 18:19
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

forty.

Numbers 26:37
These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.

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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














they said
This phrase indicates a direct command or request from the Gileadites to the Ephraimites. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies a declaration or authoritative speech. In this context, it reflects the power dynamics and the control the Gileadites had over the situation. Historically, this moment underscores the tension and division within the tribes of Israel, highlighting the consequences of internal strife.

Please say Shibboleth
The word "Shibboleth" is derived from the Hebrew "שִׁבֹּלֶת," meaning "ear of grain" or "stream." It became a linguistic test to distinguish friend from foe. This request was a strategic move by the Gileadites to identify the Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the "sh" sound. The use of language as a tool for identification and division is a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and understanding within the body of believers.

If he said, 'Sibboleth,'
The inability to pronounce "Shibboleth" correctly as "Sibboleth" reveals the cultural and dialectical differences between the tribes. The Ephraimites' pronunciation betrayed their identity. This highlights the significance of language and culture in shaping identity and belonging. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing minor differences to create major divisions among God's people.

because he could not pronounce it correctly
This phrase emphasizes the Ephraimites' failure to meet the linguistic standard set by the Gileadites. The Hebrew root "יָכֹל" (yakol) for "could not" suggests an inability or lack of power. This inability led to dire consequences, illustrating how seemingly small weaknesses or differences can have significant impacts. It calls believers to seek understanding and grace rather than judgment and division.

they seized him
The act of seizing indicates a forceful capture, reflecting the severity of the situation. The Hebrew root "תָּפַשׂ" (taphas) means to grasp or take hold of. This action demonstrates the Gileadites' determination to maintain control and eliminate the threat posed by the Ephraimites. It serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive potential of unchecked power and the importance of mercy.

and slaughtered him
The term "slaughtered" is derived from the Hebrew "שָׁחַט" (shachat), meaning to kill or butcher. This brutal act underscores the tragic outcome of the conflict between the tribes. It highlights the devastating consequences of allowing pride and enmity to fester within the community of believers. The passage calls for reconciliation and peace, urging believers to seek resolution through love and understanding.

at the fords of the Jordan
The fords of the Jordan were strategic crossing points, often used in military and trade routes. This location signifies a place of transition and decision. Historically, the Jordan River represents a boundary and a place of significant events in Israel's history. The mention of the fords emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the critical nature of the decisions made there. It serves as a metaphor for the choices believers face in their spiritual journey.

At that time, forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed
The staggering number of casualties, forty-two thousand, highlights the scale of the tragedy. This figure reflects the severe consequences of internal conflict and disunity among God's people. It serves as a warning against the dangers of pride, jealousy, and division. The historical context of tribal rivalries in Israel underscores the need for unity and cooperation in fulfilling God's purposes. This passage calls believers to strive for peace and reconciliation, recognizing the value of every member of the body of Christ.

(6) Say now Shibboleth.--The word means "ford;" (Psalm 69:2) "depth of waters;" (Judges 12:15) "water flood;" (Isaiah 27:12) "channel." The LXX. render it (Cod. B) "an ear of corn" ( Vulg., quod interpretatur spica), and the word might have this meaning also (as it has in Genesis 41:5), because the root from which it is derived means both "to flow" and "to spring." In the Alexandrian MS. of the LXX. the rendering is, "Tell us then the watchword;" but that is rather an explanation than a translation.

And he said Sibboleth.--

"And how ingrateful Ephraim

Had dealt with Jephthah--who by argument . . .

Verse 6. - Say now Shibboleth, etc. We have thus, as it were, accidentally preserved to us a curious dialectical difference between the Ephraimites and the inhabitants of Gilead. A similar difference exists at the present day between the pronunciation of the inhabitants of different parts of Germany. What the Hanoverians call stein, a stone, the other Germans call shtein. Shibboleth means both an ear of corn and a stream. Forty and two thousand. It is possible that the war between Jephthah and the Ephraimites may have lasted a considerable time, though only the single incident of the slaughter at the fords of Jordan is mentioned, so that the large number of 42,000 men may be less improbable than it seems at first sight. There is, however, always some doubt as to the correctness of numbers (see 1 Samuel 6:19).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
they told him,
וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Please
נָ֨א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

say
אֱמָר־ (’ĕ·mār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Shibboleth.”
שִׁבֹּ֜לֶת (šib·bō·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7641: A stream, an ear of grain, a branch

If he said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Sibboleth,”
סִבֹּ֗לֶת (sib·bō·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5451: Probably an ear (of wheat, etcetera)

because he could
יָכִין֙ (yā·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

not
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

pronounce
לְדַבֵּ֣ר (lə·ḏab·bêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

it correctly,
כֵּ֔ן (kên)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

they seized
וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּ (way·yō·ḥă·zū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

him and killed
וַיִּשְׁחָט֖וּהוּ (way·yiš·ḥā·ṭū·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

him at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the fords
מַעְבְּר֣וֹת (ma‘·bə·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4569: A crossing-place, a transit, overwhelming

of the Jordan.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן (hay·yar·dên)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine

So at that
הַהִיא֙ (ha·hî)
Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

time
בָּעֵ֤ת (bā·‘êṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

42,000
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים (’ar·bā·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 705: Forty

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

were killed.
וַיִּפֹּ֞ל (way·yip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie


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OT History: Judges 12:6 Then said they to him Say now (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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