Judges 12:5-15 ▼

5 The Gileadites (rocky region) captured the fords of the Jordan (flowing down) leading to Ephraim (doubly fruitful), and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites would ask him, “Are you an Ephraimite (fruitfulness)?” If he answered, “No,”

6 they 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 (flowing down). So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites (doubly fruitful) were killed.

7 Jephthah (he opens) judged Israel (he wrestles with God) six years, and when he (rocky region) died, he was buried in one of the cities of Gilead [in his city in Gilead].

8 After Jephthah, Ibzan of Bethlehem (house of bread) judged Israel (he wrestles with God).

9 He had thirty sons, as well as thirty daughters whom he gave in marriage to men outside his clan; and for his sons he brought back thirty wives from elsewhere. Ibzan judged Israel (he wrestles with God) seven years.

10 Then Ibzan died, and he was buried in Bethlehem (house of bread).

11 After Ibzan, Elon (mighty) the Zebulunite judged Israel (he wrestles with God) ten years.

12 Then Elon (mighty) the Zebulunite died, and he was buried in Aijalon (field of deer) in the land of Zebulun (exalted).

13 After Elon, Abdon (servile) son of Hillel (praising), from Pirathon, judged Israel (he wrestles with God).

14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. And he judged Israel (he wrestles with God) eight years.

15 Then Abdon (servile) son of Hillel (praising), from Pirathon, died, and he was buried at Pirathon (princely) in Ephraim (doubly fruitful), in the hill country of the Amalekites (dwellers in a valley).