Judges 12:2
New International Version
Jephthah answered, “I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn’t save me out of their hands.

New Living Translation
Jephthah replied, “I summoned you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come! You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon.

English Standard Version
And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand.

Berean Standard Bible
But Jephthah replied, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands.

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
And Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands.

New American Standard Bible
So Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were in a major dispute with the sons of Ammon; and I did call you, but you did not save me from their hand.

NASB 1995
Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.

NASB 1977
And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon. And I cried out to you, but you did not save me from their hand.

Amplified Bible
And Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a major conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called you [for help], you did not rescue me from their hand.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jephthah said to them, “My people and I had a bitter conflict with the Ammonites. So I called for you, but you didn’t deliver me from their power.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jephthah said to them, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites. So I called for you, but you didn’t deliver me from their power.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
"But I did ask for your help," Jephthah answered. "That was back when the people of Gilead and I were having trouble with the Ammonites, and you wouldn't do a thing to help us.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jephthah answered, "My people and I were involved in a legal dispute with Ammon. I asked you for help, but you didn't rescue me from them.

Good News Translation
But Jephthah told them, "My people and I had a serious quarrel with the Ammonites. I did call you, but you would not rescue me from them.

International Standard Version
But Jephthah replied to them, "My army and I were engaged in a serious fight with the Ammonites. I called for you, but you didn't deliver me from their control.

Majority Standard Bible
But Jephthah replied, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands.

NET Bible
Jephthah said to them, "My people and I were entangled in controversy with the Ammonites. I asked for your help, but you did not deliver me from their power.

New Heart English Bible
And Jephthah said to them, "I and my people had a dispute, and the people of Ammon were oppressing me greatly; and when I called you, you did not save me out of their hand.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jephthah said to 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.

World English Bible
Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you didn’t save me out of their hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jephthah says to them, “I have been a man of great strife (I and my people) with the sons of Ammon, and I call you, and you have not saved me out of their hand,

Young's Literal Translation
And Jephthah saith unto them, 'A man of great strife I have been (I and my people) with the Bene-Ammon, and I call you, and ye have not saved me out of their hand,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jephthah will say to them, I was a man of strife, I and my people and the sons of Ammon greatly; and I shall cry out to you, and ye saved me not from their hands.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he answered them: I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon: and I called you to assist me, and you would not do it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he answered them: “I and my people were in a great conflict against the sons of Ammon. And I called you, so that you might offer assistance to me. And you were not willing to do so.

New American Bible
Jephthah answered them, “My soldiers and I were engaged in a contest with the Ammonites. They were pressing us hard, and I cried out to you, but you did not come to save me from their power.

New Revised Standard Version
Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were engaged in conflict with the Ammonites who oppressed us severely. But when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jephthah said to them, O men! I and my people had strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hands.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Naphthakh said to them: “Men, I have had contention, I and my people, with the children of Amon, and I called for you and you did not deliver me from their hands
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Defeats Ephraim
1Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!” 2But Jephthah replied, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands. 3When I saw that you would not save me, I risked my life and crossed over to the Ammonites, and the LORD delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come today to fight against me?”…

Cross References
Judges 11:12-28
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?” / The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah’s messengers, “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and all the way to the Jordan. Now, therefore, restore it peaceably.” / Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites ...

Judges 8:1-3
Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently. / But Gideon answered them, “Now what have I accomplished compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer? / God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, into your hand. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided.

1 Samuel 12:11
So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

1 Samuel 11:7
He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.

1 Samuel 15:17
And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel

1 Samuel 25:10-11
But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. / Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

2 Kings 14:8-12
Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. / But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. / You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?” ...

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 17:14
To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

Proverbs 18:19
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 20:3
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Luke 14:31-32
Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jephthah said to them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you delivered me not out of their hands.

I am my

Judges 11:12
And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?

Jump to Previous
Although Ammon Ammonites Bene-Ammon Children Cruel Danger Deliver Delivered Engaged Hand Hands Help Jephthah Save Saved Strife Struggle
Jump to Next
Although Ammon Ammonites Bene-Ammon Children Cruel Danger Deliver Delivered Engaged Hand Hands Help Jephthah Save Saved Strife Struggle
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














Jephthah replied
In this phrase, we see Jephthah, the ninth judge of Israel, responding to a confrontation. The Hebrew root for Jephthah is "Yiphtach," meaning "he opens" or "whom God sets free." This name is significant as it reflects Jephthah's role in delivering Israel from oppression. His reply indicates a moment of leadership and decision-making, highlighting the importance of communication and response in leadership roles. Historically, Jephthah was a Gileadite, and his background as the son of a harlot and a mighty warrior sets the stage for his complex character and leadership style.

to them
The phrase "to them" refers to the men of Ephraim, who confronted Jephthah after he defeated the Ammonites. The Ephraimites were one of the tribes of Israel, known for their strength and sometimes contentious nature. This interaction underscores the recurring theme of inter-tribal conflict within Israel, a nation that was often divided despite being chosen by God to be His people. The historical context of tribal dynamics in ancient Israel is crucial for understanding the tensions and alliances that shaped the nation's history.

I and my people
Here, Jephthah identifies himself with his people, the Gileadites. This phrase emphasizes the unity and shared identity between a leader and his followers. The Hebrew word for "people" is "am," which often denotes a group bound by common ancestry, culture, or faith. Jephthah's use of "my people" reflects his role as a leader who is deeply connected to those he leads, highlighting the biblical principle of servant leadership, where leaders are called to serve and protect their communities.

were engaged in a great struggle
The phrase "great struggle" indicates the intense conflict with the Ammonites. The Hebrew word for "struggle" is "madon," which can mean strife, contention, or dispute. This struggle was not just physical but also spiritual, as it involved defending the land God had given to Israel. The historical context of this struggle is rooted in the ongoing battles between Israel and its neighbors, which were often seen as tests of faith and obedience to God. This phrase reminds us of the spiritual battles believers face and the need for reliance on God's strength.

with the Ammonites
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, and their territory was east of the Jordan River. Historically, they were often in conflict with Israel, as seen in this account. The Ammonites' opposition to Israel is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing the external threats that God's people faced. This phrase highlights the reality of living in a fallen world where God's people must often contend with opposition, both physical and spiritual, while trusting in God's deliverance and justice.

(2) I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon.--Literally, I was a man of strife, I and my people, and the children of Ammon exceedingly. We have a similar phrase in Jeremiah 15:10. Jephthah adopts the tone of a recognised chief, as he had done to the Ammonites.

And when I called you, ye delivered me not.--Ephraim was not immediately affected by the Ammonite oppression, any more than it had been by the Midianite. The effect of those raids was felt chiefly by Manasseh and by the Eastern tribes. Hence the Ephraimites held themselves selfishly aloof. That we are not told of this previous appeal of the Gileadites to Ephraim illustrates the compression of the narrative. We cannot tell whether it took place before or after the summons of the Gileadites to Jephthah.

Verse 2. - When I called you. This incident is not mentioned in the previous narrative. Probably Jephthah asked the help of Ephraim when he was first made chief of the Gileadites, and they refused partly because they thought the attempt desperate, and partly because they were offended at Jephthah's leadership.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Jephthah
יִפְתָּח֙ (yip̄·tāḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3316: Jephthah -- 'He opens', a Gileadite, also a city of Judah

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

“My people
וְעַמִּ֥י (wə·‘am·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and I
אֲנִ֛י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

had
הָיִ֛יתִי (hā·yî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a serious
מְאֹ֑ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

conflict
רִ֗יב (rîḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute

with the Ammonites,
וּבְנֵֽי־ (ū·ḇə·nê-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and when I called,
וָאֶזְעַ֣ק (wā·’ez·‘aq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly

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

deliver
הוֹשַׁעְתֶּ֥ם (hō·wō·ša‘·tem)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

me
אוֹתִ֖י (’ō·w·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

out of their hands.
מִיָּדָֽם׃ (mî·yā·ḏām)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT History: Judges 12:2 Jephthah said to them I and my (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 12:1
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