Topical Bible: Israel: Under the Judges: The Ephraimites Go to War Against Other Tribes

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During the period of the Judges, the tribes of Israel often found themselves in conflict, not only with external enemies but also among themselves. One notable instance of inter-tribal conflict involved the tribe of Ephraim, which went to war against other Israelite tribes. This event is recorded in the Book of Judges and highlights the internal strife and challenges of unity faced by the Israelites during this era.

Background and Context

The period of the Judges was marked by a cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. After the death of Joshua, Israel lacked centralized leadership, and each tribe largely operated independently. This decentralized structure often led to disputes and conflicts among the tribes. The tribe of Ephraim, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim, was one of the more prominent and influential tribes in Israel, often asserting its dominance and seeking recognition.

The Conflict with Jephthah

One of the most significant conflicts involving the Ephraimites occurred during the judgeship of Jephthah. Jephthah, a Gileadite, was called upon to lead Israel against the Ammonites. After achieving victory, the Ephraimites confronted Jephthah, accusing him of not calling them to join the battle. Their grievance was rooted in a desire for honor and recognition, as well as a share in the spoils of war.

Judges 12:1-2 records the confrontation: "Then the men of Ephraim were summoned to cross over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, 'Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!' But Jephthah replied, 'My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me from their hands.'"

Jephthah's response highlights the lack of support he received from Ephraim when he initially sought their help. The Ephraimites' threat to burn down Jephthah's house reveals the intensity of their anger and the potential for violence among the tribes.

The Battle and Its Aftermath

The confrontation escalated into a full-blown conflict. Jephthah gathered the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. The Gileadites defeated the Ephraimites, and the conflict resulted in significant casualties. Judges 12:4-6 describes the battle and a subsequent test at the fords of the Jordan River, where the Gileadites identified and killed fleeing Ephraimites based on their pronunciation of the word "Shibboleth."

The passage states: "Jephthah then gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, 'You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim, living in Ephraim and Manasseh.' The 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,' they would tell 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, forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed."

Significance and Lessons

The conflict between the Ephraimites and other tribes during the time of the Judges underscores the challenges of tribalism and disunity within Israel. The desire for recognition and honor, coupled with a lack of effective communication and cooperation, led to unnecessary bloodshed among God's chosen people. This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and humility in the pursuit of common goals and the dangers of pride and internal strife.

The account of the Ephraimites' conflict with Jephthah and the Gileadites is a sobering reflection on the human tendency toward division and the need for godly leadership to guide and unify the people of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 12:1-7
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers
... pieces of the Asherah were burning as wood under a sacrifice ... already; for the Lord
God is the King of Israel. ... all the fifteen men who ruled as Judges of Israel ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of gideon and.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... And would to God this people were under my hand ... Gaza is mentioned in the story of
Samson (Judges 16:21 ... vengeance for the many evils they had inflicted on Israel. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Questions.
... Who was the first of the Prophets and last of the Judges? LESSON VI. ... What partial
reformation took place in Israel? ... How was the Church tried under Constantius? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm