Jephthah and the Ephraimites
Judges 12
The men of Ephraim quarrel with Jephthah for not summoning them to the battle against Ammon, and the dispute erupts into war in which the Gileadites identify and kill fleeing Ephraimites at the fords of the Jordan by their pronunciation of the word Shibboleth. The chapter closes by briefly naming the judges Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon who succeeded Jephthah.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW the Ephraimites assembled, and went northward, and said to Jephthae, Why didst thou go to fight the Ammonites, and not call on us to go with thee? We will burn thy house over thee with fire.
BrentonAnd 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.
GreekΚαὶ ἐβόησεν ἀνὴρ Ἐφραὶμ, καὶ παρῆλθαν εἰς Βοῤῥᾶν, καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς Ἰεφθάε, διατί παρῆλθες παρατάξασθαι ἐν υἱοῖς Ἀμμὼν, καὶ ἡμᾶς οὐ κέκληκας πορευθῆναι μετὰ σοῦ; τὸν οἶκόν σου ἐμπρήσομεν ἐπὶ σὲ ἐν πυρί.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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.’
2
ThomsonAnd Jephthae said to them, When I and my people, and the children of Ammon, were at hard conflict, I called on you; but you did not save me out of their hands.
BrentonAnd Jephthae said to them, I and my people and the children of Ammon were very much engaged in war; and I called for you, and ye did not save me out of their hand.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ἰεφθὰε, ἀνὴρ μαχητὴς ἤμην ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ λαός μου, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν σφόδρα· καὶ ἐβόησα ὑμᾶς, καὶ οὐκ ἐσώσατέ με ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.
JPSAnd Jephthah said unto them: ‘I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye saved me not out of their hand.
3
ThomsonSo when I saw that thou wast not a deliverer, I put my life in my hand, and went against the Ammonites, and the Lord delivered them into my hand. Why then are you come up this day to fight against me?
BrentonAnd I saw that thou wert no helper, and I put my life in my hand, and passed on to the sons of Ammon; and the Lord delivered them into my hand: and wherefore are ye come up against me this day to fight with me?
GreekΚαὶ εἶδον ὅτι οὐκ εἶ σωτὴρ, καὶ ἔθηκα τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐν χειρί μου, καὶ παρῆλθον πρὸς υἱοὺς Ἀμμὼν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐν χειρί μου· καὶ εἰς τί ἀνέβητε ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ παρατάξασθαι ἐν ἐμοί;
KJVAnd when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?
JPSAnd when I saw that ye saved me not, I put my life in my hand, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand; wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?’
4
ThomsonThen Jephthae re-assembled all the men of Galaad, and came to an engagement with Ephraim. And the men of Galaad smote Ephraim. Because they of Ephraim who were saved, said, You Galaadites belong partly to Ephraim, and partly to Manasses,
BrentonAnd Jephthae gathered all the men of Galaad, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of Galaad smote Ephraim, because they that were escaped of Ephraim said, Ye are of Galaad in the midst of Ephraim and in the midst of Manasse.
GreekΚαὶ συνέστρεψεν Ἰεφθάε πάντας τοὺς ἄνδρας Γαλαὰδ, καὶ παρετάξατο τῷ Ἐφραὶμ, καὶ ἐπάταξαν ἄνδρες Γαλαὰδ τὸν Ἐφραὶμ, ὅτι εἶπαν οἱ διασωζόμενοι τοῦ Ἐφραὶμ, ὑμεῖς Γαλαὰδ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ Ἐφραὶμ καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ Μανασσῆ.
KJVThen Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.
JPSThen Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said: ‘Ye are fugitives of Ephraim, ye Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim, and in the midst of Manasseh.’
5
Thomsontherefore the Galaadites seized the passages of the Jordan before Ephraim; and when those of Ephraim who escaped, said, Let us cross over; the men of Galaad said to them, Art thou an Ephraimite?
BrentonAnd Galaad took the fords of Jordan before Ephraim; and they that escaped of Ephraim said to them, Let us go over: and the men of Galaad said, Art thou an Ephrathite? and he said, No.
GreekΚαὶ προκατελάβετο Γαλαὰδ τὰς διαβάσεις τοῦ Ἰορδάνου τοῦ Ἐφραίμ· καὶ εἶπαν αὐτοῖς οἱ διασωζόμενοι Ἐφραὶμ, διαβῶμεν· καὶ εἶπαν αὐτοῖς οἱ ἄνδρες Γαλαὰδ, μὴ Ἐφραθίτης εἶ; καὶ εἶπεν, οὔ.
KJVAnd the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;
JPSAnd the Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites; and it was so, that when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said: 'Let me go over,' the men of Gilead said unto him: ‘Art thou an Ephraimite?’ If he said: ‘Nay’;
6
ThomsonAnd when any said, No, then they said to him, say, Stachys, the watchword [Heb. Shibboleth]. And if he did not pronounce it distinctly, they took him, and slew him at the passages of the Jordan. So there fell of Ephraim, at that time, forty-two thousand men.
BrentonThen 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.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ, εἶπον δὴ στάχυς· καὶ οὐ κατεύθυνε τοῦ λαλῆσαι οὕτως· καὶ ἐπελάβοντο αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔθυσαν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὰς διαβάσεις τοῦ Ἰορδάνου· καὶ ἔπεσαν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ἀπὸ Ἐφραὶμ δύο καὶ τεσσαράκοντα χιλιάδες.
KJVThen 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.
JPSthen 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.
7
ThomsonAnd Jephthae judged Israel six years. Then Jephthae the Galaadite died, and was buried in his own city, Galaad.
BrentonAnd Jephthae judged Israel six years; and Jephthae the Galaadite died, and was buried in his city Galaad.
GreekΚαὶ ἔκρινεν Ἰεφθάε τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἓξ ἔτη· καὶ ἀπέθανεν Ἰεφθάε ὁ Γαλααδίτης, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν πόλει αὐτοῦ Γαλαάδ.
KJVAnd Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.
JPSAnd Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.
8
ThomsonAnd after him, Abaissan of Bethlehem, judged Israel.
BrentonAnd after him Abaissan of Bethleem judged Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἔκρινε μετʼ αὐτὸν τὸν Ἰσραὴλ Ἀβαισσὰν ἀπὸ Βηθλεέμ.
KJVAnd after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.
JPSAnd after him Ibzan of Beth-lehem judged Israel.
9
ThomsonAnd he had thirty sons and thirty daughters. His daughters he sent abroad, and he brought from abroad thirty daughters for his sons, and he judged Israel seven years.
BrentonAnd he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent forth; and he brought in thirty daughters for his sons from without; and he judged Israel seven years.
GreekΚαὶ ἦσαν αὐτῷ τριάκοντα υἱοὶ, καὶ τριάκοντα θυγατέρες, ἃς ἐξαπέστειλεν ἔξω, καὶ τριάκοντα θυγατέρας εἰσήνεγκε τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ ἔξωθεν· καὶ ἔκρινε τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἑπτὰ ἔτη.
KJVAnd he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.
JPSAnd he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters he sent abroad, and thirty daughters he brought in from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.
10
ThomsonAnd Abaissan died, and was buried in Bethlehem.
BrentonAnd Abaissan died, and was buried in Bethleem.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανεν Ἀβαισσὰν, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν Βηθλεέμ.
KJVThen died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.
JPSand Ibzan died, and was buried at Beth-lehem. .
11
ThomsonAnd after him Ailom, the Zabulonite, judged Israel ten years.
BrentonAnd after him Ælom of Zabulon judged Israel ten years.
GreekΚαὶ ἔκρινε μετʼ αὐτὸν τὸν Ἰσραὴλ Αἰλὼμ ὁ Ζαβουλωνίτης δέκα ἔτη.
KJVAnd after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.
JPSAnd after him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.
12
ThomsonAnd Ailom the Zabulonite died, and was buried in Ailom, in the land of Zabulon.
BrentonAnd Ælom of Zabulon died, and was buried in Ælom in the land of Zabulon.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανεν Αἰλὼμ ὁ Ζαβουλωνίτης, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν Αἰλὼμ ἐν γῇ Ζαβουλών.
KJVAnd Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.
JPSAnd Elon the Zebulunite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
13
ThomsonAnd after him Abdon, son of Ellel, the Pharathonite, judged Israel.
BrentonAnd after him Abdon the son of Ellel, the Pharathonite, judged Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἔκρινε μετʼ αὐτὸν τὸν Ἰσραὴλ Ἀβδὼν υἱὸς Ἑλλὴλ ὁ Φαραθωνίτης.
KJVAnd after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.
JPSAnd after him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.
14
ThomsonAnd he had forty sons, and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy colts; and he judged Israel eight years.
BrentonAnd he had forty sons, and thirty grandsons, that rode upon seventy colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
GreekΚαὶ ἦσαν αὐτῷ τεσσαράκοντα υἱοὶ, καὶ τριάκοντα υἱῶν υἱοὶ ἐπιβαίνοντες ἐπὶ ἑβδομήκοντα πώλους· καὶ ἔκρινε τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ὀκτὼ ἔτη.
KJVAnd he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
JPSAnd he had forty sons and thirty sons’sons, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts; and he judged Israel eight years.
15
ThomsonThen Abdon, son of Ellel the Pharathonite, died, and was buried at Pharathon, in the land of Ephraim, on mount Amelek.
BrentonAnd Abdon the son of Ellel, the Pharathonite, died, and was buried in Pharathon in the land of Ephraim in the mount of Amalec.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανεν Ἀβδὼν υἱὸς Ἐλλὴλ ὁ Φαραθωνίτης, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν Φαραθὼν ἐν γῇ Ἐφραὶμ ἐν ὄρει τοῦ Ἀμαλήκ.
KJVAnd Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.
JPSAnd Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill-country of the Amalekites.