Topical Encyclopedia The River Jordan, a significant geographical and spiritual landmark in biblical history, is the site of numerous pivotal events. Among these is the tragic episode involving the slaughter of the Ephraimites, as recorded in the Book of Judges.Context and Background The event takes place during the time of the Judges, a period characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent rescue by judges raised by God. Jephthah, a Gileadite, was one such judge, known for his leadership and military prowess. His account is detailed in Judges 11-12. The Conflict with Ephraim The conflict with the Ephraimites arose after Jephthah's victory over the Ammonites. The men of Ephraim, a prominent tribe in Israel, confronted Jephthah, accusing him of not calling them to join the battle against the Ammonites. This grievance was not uncommon, as the Ephraimites had previously expressed similar complaints to Gideon (Judges 8:1). However, Jephthah's response was markedly different from Gideon's diplomatic approach. Jephthah explained that he had indeed called for their help, but they did not respond. Feeling threatened by their aggressive stance, Jephthah gathered the men of Gilead to defend against the Ephraimites' hostility. The ensuing conflict led to a significant and tragic confrontation. The Slaughter at the Jordan The Gileadites, under Jephthah's command, defeated the Ephraimites. As the defeated Ephraimites attempted to flee, they sought to cross the River Jordan to return to their territory. The Gileadites seized control of the fords of the Jordan, a strategic move that would prove decisive. To identify the fleeing Ephraimites, the Gileadites employed a linguistic test. They asked each man attempting to cross the river to say the word "Shibboleth." The Ephraimites, due to their dialect, pronounced it as "Sibboleth." This mispronunciation revealed their identity, leading to their capture and execution. Judges 12:5-6 records this grim episode: "The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, 'Let me cross over,' the men of Gilead 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 slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed." Significance This event underscores the deep divisions and tribal tensions within Israel during the era of the Judges. It highlights the consequences of pride, miscommunication, and internal strife among the tribes of Israel. The River Jordan, often a symbol of transition and divine intervention, here becomes a site of judgment and division. The slaughter of the Ephraimites at the Jordan serves as a somber reminder of the need for unity and humility among God's people, as well as the tragic outcomes that can arise from discord and unchecked aggression. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 12:4-6Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, You Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources Where was Jesus baptized? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Perea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Shittim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Jordan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Jordan: Crossed by a Ferry Boat Jordan: Empties Into the Dead Sea Jordan: John the Baptist Immerses In Jordan: John the Baptist Immerses Jesus In Jordan: Naaman Washes In, for the Healing of his Leprosy Jordan: Plain of Israelites Camped In Jordan: Plain of Solomon's Foundry In Jordan: Swelling of, at Harvest Time Jordan: Swelling of, in the Early Spring Jordan: The Waters of, Miraculously Separated for the Passage of Elijah Jordan: The Waters of, Miraculously Separated for the Passage of Elisha Jordan: The Waters of, Miraculously Separated for the Passage of the Israelites the River Jordan: Despised by Foreigners the River Jordan: Eastern Boundary of Canaan the River Jordan: Empties Itself Into the Dead Sea the River Jordan: Ferry Boats often Used On the River Jordan: Fordable in some Places the River Jordan: Moses not Allowed to Cross the River Jordan: Often Overflowed the River Jordan: Overflowing of, Called the Swelling of Jordan the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over in an Appointed Order the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: A Pledge That God Would Drive the Canaanites out of the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Alluded To the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Commemorated by a Pillar of Stones in Gilgal the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Commemorated by a Pillar of Stones Raised in It the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Preceded by Priests With the Ark the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Promised the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Successfully Effected the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Baptism of Multitudes by John the Baptist the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Baptism of Our Lord the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Division of Its Waters to Let Israel Pass Over the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Healing of Naaman the Leper the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Its Division by Elijah the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Its Division by Elisha the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Return of Its Waters to Their Place the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Slaughter of Moabites the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Slaughter of the Ephraimites the River Jordan: The Jews had Great Pride In the River Jordan: The Plains of Afforded Clay for Moulding Brass the River Jordan: The Plains of Chosen by Lot for a Residence the River Jordan: The Plains of Exceeding Fertile the River Jordan: The Plains of Infested With Lions the River Jordan: The Plains of Thickly Wooded Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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