Judges 12:5
New International Version
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a survivor of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead asked him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he replied, “No,”

New Living Translation
Jephthah captured the shallow crossings of the Jordan River, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim tried to go back across, the men of Gilead would challenge him. “Are you a member of the tribe of Ephraim?” they would ask. If the man said, “No, I’m not,”

English Standard Version
And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” When he said, “No,”

Berean Standard Bible
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,”

King James Bible
And 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;

New King James Version
The Gileadites seized the fords of the Jordan before the Ephraimites arrived. And when any Ephraimite who escaped said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

New American Standard Bible
And the Gileadites took control of the crossing places of the Jordan opposite Ephraim. And it happened whenever any of the survivors of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” that the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

NASB 1995
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan opposite Ephraim. And it happened when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

NASB 1977
And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan opposite Ephraim. And it happened when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan opposite Ephraim. And it happened when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

Amplified Bible
And the Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan opposite the Ephraimites; and when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

Christian Standard Bible
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim. Whenever a fugitive from Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites asked him, “Are you an Ephraimite? ” If he answered, “No,”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim. Whenever a fugitive from Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites asked him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No,”

American Standard Version
And 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;

Contemporary English Version
The army of Gilead also posted guards at all the places where the soldiers from Ephraim could cross the Jordan River to return to their own land. Whenever one of the men from Ephraim would try to cross the river, the guards would say, "Are you from Ephraim?" "No," the man would answer, "I'm not from Ephraim."

English Revised Version
And the Gileadites took the fords of 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;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The men of Gilead captured the shallow crossings of the Jordan River leading back to Ephraim. Whenever a fugitive from Ephraim said, "Let me cross," the men of Gilead would ask, "Are you from Ephraim?" If he answered, "No,"

Good News Translation
In order to keep the Ephraimites from escaping, the Gileadites captured the places where the Jordan could be crossed. When any Ephraimite who was trying to escape would ask permission to cross, the men of Gilead would ask, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No,"

International Standard Version
The descendants of Gilead seized control of the Jordan River's fords along the border of Ephraim's territory. Later on, when any fugitive from Ephraim asked them, "Let me cross over," the men from Gilead would ask him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said "No,"

Majority Standard Bible
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,”

NET Bible
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan River opposite Ephraim. Whenever an Ephraimite fugitive said, "Let me cross over," the men of Gilead asked him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No,"

New Heart English Bible
The Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. It was so, that when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, "Let me go over," the men of Gilead said to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No";

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites who had escaped, said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said to him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, No;

World English Bible
The Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. Whenever a fugitive of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No;”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Gilead captures the passages of the Jordan to Ephraim, and it has been, when [any of] the fugitives of Ephraim say, “Let me pass over,” and the men of Gilead say to him, “[Are] you an Ephraimite?” And he says, “No”;

Young's Literal Translation
And Gilead captureth the passages of the Jordan to Ephraim, and it hath been, when any of the fugitives of Ephraim say, 'Let me pass over,' and the men of Gilead say to him, 'An Ephramite thou?' and he saith, 'No;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gilead will take the passages of Jordan before Ephraim: and it was that the escaped of Ephraim will say, I will pass over; and the men of Gilead will say to him, Thou an Ephrathite? and he will say, No.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Galaadites secured the fords of the Jordan, by which Ephraim was to return. And when any one of the number of Ephraim came thither in the flight, and said: I beseech you let me pass: the Galaadites said to him: Art thou not an Ephraimite? If he said: I am not:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Gileadites occupied the fords of the Jordan, along which Ephraim was to return. And when anyone from the number of Ephraim had arrived, fleeing, and had said, “I beg that you permit me to pass,” the Gileadites would say to him, “Could you be an Ephraimite?” And if he said, “I am not,”

New American Bible
and Gilead seized the fords of the Jordan against Ephraim. When any of the fleeing Ephraimites said, “Let me pass,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No!”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. Whenever one of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” When he said, “No,”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan which belonged to Ephraim; and when any of the fugitives of Ephraim tried to cross over the passage, the men of Gilead said to him, Are you an Ephraimite? If he said, No;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Geladites seized the fords of the Jordan of Aphreim, and when those who were escaping from Aphreim were passing through at the crossing to cross over, the men of Gelad were asking, “Are you an Aphreimite?”, and he said, “No”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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';

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Defeats Ephraim
4Jephthah 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 the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh.” 5The 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,” 6they told 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. So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed.…

Cross References
Judges 3:28
“Follow me,” he told them, “for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they followed him down and seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and they did not allow anyone to cross over.

Judges 7:24
Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim to say, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth-barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth-barah.

Joshua 22:11-12
Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” / And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.

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.

1 Kings 12:24
that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the word of the LORD and turned back according to the word of the LORD.

2 Kings 14:12-13
And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his home. / There at Beth-shemesh, Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—a section of four hundred cubits.

Isaiah 9:21
Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Hosea 5:10
The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water.

Hosea 9:3
They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.

Obadiah 1:10-14
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. ...

Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Mark 3:24-25
If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. / If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.

Luke 11:17
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall.

John 4:9
“You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Acts 7:26-27
The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’ / But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?


Treasury of Scripture

And 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 to him, Are you an Ephraimite? If he said, No;

Judges 3:28
And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

Judges 7:24
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.

Joshua 2:7
And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

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Captured Cross Ephraim E'phraim Ephraimite E'phraimite Ephraimites E'phraimites Escaped Jordan Leading Opposite Passages Survivor Whenever
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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














The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan
The phrase "The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan" highlights a strategic military maneuver. The "Gileadites" were descendants of Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, known for its rugged terrain and strong warriors. The "fords of the Jordan" were shallow crossing points of the river, crucial for travel and trade. Capturing these fords was a tactical advantage, effectively controlling movement between territories. Historically, controlling such passages was vital for defense and asserting dominance, reflecting the ongoing tribal conflicts in Israel during the time of the Judges.

leading to Ephraim
The phrase "leading to Ephraim" indicates the geographical and tribal significance of the fords. Ephraim was one of the prominent tribes of Israel, known for its strength and influence. The tribe's territory was west of the Jordan, and controlling access to it was crucial during conflicts. This phrase underscores the tension between the tribes of Gilead and Ephraim, rooted in historical grievances and competition for leadership within Israel.

and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, 'Let me cross over,'
The phrase "and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, 'Let me cross over,'" paints a picture of desperation and urgency. The term "fugitive" suggests individuals fleeing from conflict or seeking refuge. The request "Let me cross over" implies a desire for safety or escape, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the Ephraimites. This scenario reflects the broader theme of division and strife among the tribes of Israel, a recurring issue in the Book of Judges.

the Gileadites would ask him, 'Are you an Ephraimite?'
The phrase "the Gileadites would ask him, 'Are you an Ephraimite?'" reveals a method of identification and control. The question served as a test to determine allegiance and origin, crucial in a time of tribal warfare. This practice underscores the deep-seated mistrust and animosity between the tribes, as well as the importance of tribal identity in ancient Israelite society. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of discernment and the consequences of division among God's people.

If he answered, 'No,'
The phrase "If he answered, 'No,'" introduces the element of deception and survival. The response "No" could be a truthful denial or a strategic lie to avoid capture or death. This moment highlights the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in times of conflict. It also serves as a reminder of the human tendency to resort to deceit when faced with danger, a theme explored throughout Scripture. This phrase challenges readers to consider the complexities of truth, identity, and survival in a fallen world.

(5) Took the passages of Jordan.--Only through these fords could the Ephraimites escape to their own tribe. (Comp. Judges 3:28; Judges 7:24.) But while it was excusable to cut off all escape from a dangerous foreign invader, it showed a terrible exasperation to leave no chance of flight to Israelites in a civil war.

Before the Ephraimites.--Literally, to Ephraim, which perhaps means "towards, or in the direction of, Ephraim" (per qu? Ephraim, reversurus erat, Vulg.).

When those Ephraimites which were escaped.--The fact that the Hebrew phrase is exactly the same as in Judges 12:4, "fugitives of Ephraim," adds. great additional force to the view which we have adopted. If the rendering of the English Version be adopted in Judges 12:4, we can only suppose that there is a bitter retribution implied in the words. The Ephraimites had taunted the Eastern Manassites with being "fugitives of Ephraim," and in the next verse they themselves appear to be in another, but fatal, sense "fugitives of Ephraim."

Art thou an Ephraimite?--There must have been considerable traffic across the Jordan fords, and the object was to distinguish between Ephraimite fugitives and harmless travellers and merchants. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Gileadites
גִּלְעָ֛ד (gil·‘āḏ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1568: Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites

captured
וַיִּלְכֹּ֥ד (way·yil·kōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere

the fords
מַעְבְּר֥וֹת (ma‘·bə·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4569: A crossing-place, a transit, overwhelming

of the Jordan
הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן (hay·yar·dên)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine

leading to Ephraim,
לְאֶפְרָ֑יִם (lə·’ep̄·rā·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

and
וְֽ֠הָיָה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

whenever
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a fugitive
פְּלִיטֵ֤י (pə·lî·ṭê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6412: Escaped one, fugitive

from Ephraim
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

would say,
יֹאמְר֞וּ (yō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let me cross over,”
אֶעֱבֹ֔רָה (’e·‘ĕ·ḇō·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the Gileadites
גִלְעָ֛ד (ḡil·‘āḏ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1568: Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites

would ask him,
וַיֹּ֨אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Are you
אַ֖תָּה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

an Ephraimite?”
הַֽאֶפְרָתִ֥י (ha·’ep̄·rā·ṯî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 673: Ephraimite -- a descendant of Ephraim, also an inhabitant of Ephrath

If he answered,
וַיֹּ֥אמֶֽר ׀ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“No,”
לֹֽא׃ (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no


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OT History: Judges 12:5 The Gileadites took the fords (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 12:4
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