Judges 12:1-7 - Why did you not call us?

12:1-3

The Ephraimites seem to have been a prickly lot, for their complaint here is like the one they made to Gideon (Judges 8:1). Gideon responded in a diplomatic manner, seeking to appease them. Jephthah takes a much more robust approach. This is partly a reflection of his character, but also the Ephraimites start off in a very belligerent manner (“We’re going to burn down your house over your head”). Jephthah says he did call on Ephraim, but they did not come. Nevertheless he went into battle and won.

12:4-6

There is then a battle between the men of Gilead and Ephraim. The Ephraimites hold the Gileadites in disdain. We see here where we get the term “Shibboleth” from, as referring to a key test. The Ephraimites were unable to pronounce this word properly, and this was used as a test of whether or not a man was from Ephraim or not. If not, then the man was killed, and this led to forty two thousand of them being killed. This would considerably decimate the tribe.

12:7

Despite having over two chapters devoted to his time, Jephthah led Israel for only six years. Then he died and was buried in Gilead. The reference to his end is rather terse. This may indicate the writer not having much time for Jephthah, and his activity seems to be limited to the Ammonites. On the other hand it does say that he “led Israel”, i.e. the whole nation.