Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Origin: The term "Shibboleth" originates from the Hebrew word שִׁבֹּלֶת, which can mean "ear of grain" or "stream." It is most famously known from the biblical account in the Book of Judges, where it was used as a linguistic test to distinguish between the Ephraimites and the Gileadites. Biblical Account: The account of Shibboleth is found in Judges 12:1-6. After Jephthah, a judge of Israel, defeated the Ammonites, the men of Ephraim accused him of not calling them to fight. A conflict ensued between the Gileadites, led by Jephthah, and the Ephraimites. The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan River to prevent the Ephraimites from escaping. To identify the fleeing Ephraimites, the Gileadites used the word "Shibboleth" as a test. The Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the "sh" sound, said "Sibboleth" instead. This mispronunciation revealed their identity, leading to their capture and execution. Judges 12:6 states, "They said, '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 fell." Cultural and Theological Significance: The use of "Shibboleth" in this context highlights the importance of language and dialect as markers of identity and belonging. It underscores the divisions within the tribes of Israel and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of internal strife and pride. Theologically, the account reflects the themes of judgment and discernment, illustrating how seemingly small differences can have significant consequences. Symbolic Usage: In modern usage, "Shibboleth" has come to symbolize any custom, tradition, or phrase that distinguishes one group of people from another. It often refers to a test or criterion used to separate insiders from outsiders, reflecting the original biblical context of distinguishing friend from foe. Historical Context: The event took place during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cycle of Israelite apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and the rise of judges who led Israel to victory. Jephthah's leadership and the subsequent conflict with Ephraim highlight the tribal tensions and the lack of centralized leadership in Israel during this era. Lessons and Reflections: The account of Shibboleth serves as a reminder of the power of words and the potential for division within a community. It calls believers to seek unity and understanding, recognizing the dangers of pride and the importance of reconciliation. The account also emphasizes the need for discernment and the wisdom to navigate conflicts in a manner that honors God and promotes peace among His people. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary ShibbolethSibboleth, ear of corn; stream or flood Smith's Bible Dictionary Shibboleth(a stream), (Judges 12:6) is the Hebrew word which the Gileadites under Jephthah made use of at the passage of the Jordan, after a victory over the Ephraimites, to test the pronunciation of the sound sh by those who wished to cross over the river. The Ephraimites, it would appear, in their dialect substituted for sh the simple sound s ; and the Gileadites, regarding every one who failed to pronounce sh as an Ephraimite and therefore an enemy, put him to death accordingly. In this way there fell 42,000 Ephraimites. There is no mystery in this particular word. Any word beginning with the sound sh would have answered equally well as a test. ATS Bible Dictionary ShibbolethA stream. In a war between the Ephraimites and the men of Gilead under Jephthah, the former were discomfited, and fled towards the fords of the Jordan. The Gileadites took possession of all these fords, and when an Ephraimite who had escaped came to the riverside and desired to pass over, they asked him if he were not an Ephraimite. It he said, No, they bade him pronounce shibboleth; but he pronouncing it sibboleth, according to the dialect of the Ephraimites, they killed him. In this war there fill 42,000 Ephraimites, Jud 12:1-15. This incident should mot be passed over without observing, that it affords proof of dialectical variations among the tribes of the same nation, and speaking the same language, in those early days. There can be no wonder, therefore, if we find in later ages the same word written different ways, according to the pronunciation of different tribes. That this continued, is evident from the peculiarities of the Galilean dialect, by which Peter was discovered to be of that district, Mark 14:70. Easton's Bible Dictionary River, or an ear of corn. The tribes living on the east of Jordan, separated from their brethren on the west by the deep ravines and the rapid river, gradually came to adopt peculiar customs, and from mixing largely with the Moabites, Ishmaelites, and Ammonites to pronounce certain letters in such a manner as to distinguish them from the other tribes. Thus when the Ephraimites from the west invaded Gilead, and were defeated by the Gileadites under the leadership of Jephthah, and tried to escape by the "passages of the Jordan," the Gileadites seized the fords and would allow none to pass who could not pronounce "shibboleth" with a strong aspirate. This the fugitives were unable to do. They said "sibboleth," as the word was pronounced by the tribes on the west, and thus they were detected (Judges 12:1-6). Forty-two thousand were thus detected, and"Without reprieve, adjudged to death, For want of well-pronouncing shibboleth." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A word which was made the criterion by which to distinguish the Ephraimites from the Gileadites. The Ephraimites, not being able to pronounce sh, called the word sibboleth. See Judges xii.2. (n.) Also in an extended sense. 3. (n.) Hence, the criterion, test, or watchword of a party; a party cry or pet phrase. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHIBBOLETHshib'-o-leth (shibboleth): A test of speech applied by the men of Gilead to the Ephraimites, who wished to cross the Jordan, after defeat. If they pronounced the word cibboleth, their dialectic variety of speech betrayed them. (Judges 12:6). The word probably has the sense of stream or "flood" (compare Psalm 69:2). Strong's Hebrew 7642b. shibboleth -- a flowing stream... 7642a, 7642b. shibboleth. 7643 . a flowing stream. Transliteration: shibboleth Short Definition: flood. ... 7642a, 7642b. shibboleth. 7643 . Strong's Numbers /hebrew/7642b.htm - 5k 7641. shibbol -- ear (of grain) Library The Kingdom Conquering Twenty-Ninth Day. Love of Unity. Practical Observations. Justification. The Condemnation of "The Three Chapters. " Christ is All Fellowship with God Relation of the Pharisees to the Sadducees and Essenes, and to the ... The Hermit and the Boy The Church in Babylon Thesaurus Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)... and tried to escape by the "passages of the Jordan," the Gileadites seized the fords and would allow none to pass who could not pronounce "shibboleth" with a ... /s/shibboleth.htm - 8k Channel (3 Occurrences) Sibboleth (1 Occurrence) Jephthah (26 Occurrences) Flood (70 Occurrences) Fords (9 Occurrences) Forty-two (15 Occurrences) Ephraimites (7 Occurrences) E'phraimites (9 Occurrences) Manage (6 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of shibboleth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jephthah sacrifice his daughter to the Lord? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Judges | GotQuestions.org Shibboleth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)Judges 12:6 Subtopics Shibboleth: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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