Judges 12:5

Judges 12:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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 Version KJV

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;

American Standard Version ASV

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;

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the Gileadites took the crossing-places of Jordan against the Ephraimites; and when any of the men of Ephraim who had gone in flight said, let me go over; the men of Gilead said to him, Are you an Ephraimite? And if he said, No;

Free Bible Version FBV

The Gileadites took control of the fords over the Jordan River that led to Ephraim's territory, and when an Ephraimite escapee from the battle would come and ask, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites would question him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No,”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Also the Gileadites tooke the passages of Iorden before the Ephraimites, and when the Ephraimites that were escaped, saide, Let me passe, then the men of Gilead said vnto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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;'

World English Bible WEB

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;”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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:

Translation for Translators T4T

The men of Gilead captured that ◄ford/place where people can walk across► at the Jordan River to go to the land where the tribe of Ephraim live. Whenever one of the soldiers from the tribe of Ephraim came to the ford to try to escape, he would say, “Let me cross the river.” Then the men of Gilead would ask him, “Are you from the tribe of Ephraim?” If he said “No,”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 12:5

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 12:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּלְכֹּ֥ד גִּלְעָ֛ד אֶֽת מַעְבְּר֥וֹת הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֖ן לְ/אֶפְרָ֑יִם וְֽ֠/הָיָה כִּ֣י יֹאמְר֞וּ פְּלִיטֵ֤י אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ אֶעֱבֹ֔רָה וַ/יֹּ֨אמְרוּ ל֧/וֹ אַנְשֵֽׁי גִלְעָ֛ד הַֽ/אֶפְרָתִ֥י אַ֖תָּה וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶֽר לֹֽא

וַ/יִּלְכֹּ֥ד lâkad H3920 to capture Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

גִּלְעָ֛ד Gilʻâd H1568 Gilead N-proper

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

מַעְבְּר֥וֹת maʻăbâr H4569 ford N-fp

הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֖ן Yardên H3383 Jordan Art | N-proper

לְ/אֶפְרָ֑יִם ʼEphrayim H669 Ephraim Prep | N-proper

וְֽ֠/הָיָה hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj

יֹאמְר֞וּ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

פְּלִיטֵ֤י pâlîyṭ H6412 survivor N-mp

אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ ʼEphrayim H669 Ephraim N-proper

אֶעֱבֹ֔רָה ʻâbar H5674 to pass V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

וַ/יֹּ֨אמְרוּ ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

ל֧/וֹ Prep | Suff

אַנְשֵֽׁי ʼîysh H376 man N-mp

גִלְעָ֛ד Gilʻâd H1568 Gilead N-proper

הַֽ/אֶפְרָתִ֥י ʼEphrâthîy H673 Ephrathite Art | Ngmsa

אַ֖תָּה ʼattâh H859 you(m.s.) Pron

וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶֽר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 12:5

וַ/יִּלְכֹּ֥ד lâkad H3920 "to capture" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

This verb means to capture or seize, often using a net or trap. In the Bible, it is used to describe taking control of something or someone, and is also used figuratively to describe being caught or stuck in a situation.

Definition: 1) to capture, take, seize 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to capture, seize 1a2) to capture (of men) (fig.) 1a3) to take (by lot) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be caught (of men in trap, snare) (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) to grasp each other

Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, catch (self), be frozen, be holden, stick together, take. See also: Numbers 21:32; 2 Kings 18:10; Psalms 9:16.

גִּלְעָ֛ד Gilʻâd H1568 "Gilead" N-proper

Gilead refers to a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, also the name of three Israelites. It means 'rocky region' and is sometimes called 'Mount Gilead'.

Definition: Gilead = "rocky region" a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: Gilead, Gileadite. See also: Genesis 31:21; 1 Samuel 11:9; Psalms 60:9.

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

מַעְבְּר֥וֹת maʻăbâr H4569 "ford" N-fp

This word refers to a crossing place, like a ford in a river or a pass in a mountain. It can also mean a transit or passage, and is used figuratively to describe overwhelming events. The KJV translates it as ford or pass.

Definition: 1) ford, pass, passing 1a) ford 1b) pass 1c) passing, sweep

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: ford, place where...pass, passage. See also: Genesis 32:23; 1 Samuel 13:23; Isaiah 10:29.

הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֖ן Yardên H3383 "Jordan" Art | N-proper

The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.

Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)

Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.

לְ/אֶפְרָ֑יִם ʼEphrayim H669 "Ephraim" Prep | N-proper

Ephraim means doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son and the tribe that descended from him. The tribe of Ephraim was a significant part of Israel's history. Ephraim is also the name of a region in the Bible.

Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)

Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.

וְֽ֠/הָיָה hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

יֹאמְר֞וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

פְּלִיטֵ֤י pâlîyṭ H6412 "survivor" N-mp

A survivor refers to a refugee or fugitive who has escaped, as seen in the stories of those who fled from danger in the Bible.

Definition: refugee, fugitive, escaped one Also means: pa.let (פָּלֵיט "survivor" H6412B)

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: (that have) escape(-d, -th), fugitive. See also: Genesis 14:13; Jeremiah 50:28; Isaiah 45:20.

אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ ʼEphrayim H669 "Ephraim" N-proper

Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)

Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.

אֶעֱבֹ֔רָה ʻâbar H5674 "to pass" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.

Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over

Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.

וַ/יֹּ֨אמְרוּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

ל֧/וֹ "" Prep | Suff

אַנְשֵֽׁי ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

גִלְעָ֛ד Gilʻâd H1568 "Gilead" N-proper

Gilead refers to a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, also the name of three Israelites. It means 'rocky region' and is sometimes called 'Mount Gilead'.

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: Gilead, Gileadite. See also: Genesis 31:21; 1 Samuel 11:9; Psalms 60:9.

הַֽ/אֶפְרָתִ֥י ʼEphrâthîy H673 "Ephrathite" Art | Ngmsa

The Ephrathite refers to a person from Ephrathah, a part of the tribe of Judah. In 1 Chronicles 2:19, an Ephrathite woman married Caleb and became the mother of Hur. The term also describes someone from Ephraim, as seen in Judges 12:5.

Definition: A woman descended from Ephrathah of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.19; married to Caleb (H3612H); mother of: Hur (H2354); also called Ephrath at 1Ch.2.19; Group of eph.ra.tah (אֶפְרָ֫תָה "Ephrathah" H0672) § Ephrathite = "ashiness: fruitfulness" 1) an inhabitant or descendant of Ephraim (in in Jdg.12.5; 1Ki.11.26) 2) an inhabitant of Bethlehem (in Rut.1.1; 1Sa.1.1; 1Sa.17.12)

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Ephraimite, Ephrathite. See also: Judges 12:5; 1 Samuel 1:1; 1 Kings 11:26.

אַ֖תָּה ʼattâh H859 "you(m.s.)" Pron

You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.

Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)

Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.

וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶֽר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

Study Notes — Judges 12:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Judges 12:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 12:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 12:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 12:5
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 12:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 12:5
Cambridge Bible on Judges 12:5
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 12:5

Context — Jephthah Defeats Ephraim

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?” 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. 7Jephthah judged Israel six years, and when he died, he was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	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 did not allow anyone to cross over.
2	Joshua 22:11	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.”
3	Joshua 2:7	So the king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they had gone out, the gate was shut.
4	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.

Judges 12:5 Summary

This verse, Judges 12:5, is about a time when the Gileadites were fighting against the Ephraimites, and they wanted to know who was on their side. They asked each person who wanted to cross the river if they were an Ephraimite, and if they said no, they would ask them to say a special word, 'Shibboleth', to see if they were telling the truth. This story teaches us that our words and actions can show who we really are and what we believe, just like it says in Matthew 12:33-37. We should be careful about what we say and do, because it can either honor or dishonor God, and we should always try to be loyal and faithful to Him, just like the Gileadites were trying to be loyal to their leader, Jephthah, as seen in Judges 11:29-33.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the significance of the fords of the Jordan in Judges 12:5?

The fords of the Jordan were a strategic location where people could cross the river, and the Gileadites captured them to control the movement of the Ephraimites, as seen in Judges 12:5, similar to how God used the Jordan River to separate the Israelites from their past in Joshua 3:13-17.

Why did the Gileadites ask the fugitives if they were Ephraimites?

The Gileadites asked the fugitives if they were Ephraimites to identify their enemies and determine their loyalty, as the Ephraimites had previously claimed that the Gileadites were fugitives in their territory, as mentioned in Judges 12:4.

What can we learn from the Gileadites' method of identifying the Ephraimites?

The Gileadites' method of identifying the Ephraimites by their pronunciation of the word 'Shibboleth' teaches us that our words and actions can reveal our true identity and loyalty, as also seen in Matthew 12:33-37, where Jesus says that our words will be used to justify or condemn us.

How does this verse relate to the broader context of the book of Judges?

Judges 12:5 is part of the story of Jephthah, who was called by God to lead the Israelites against the Ammonites, as seen in Judges 11:29-33, and this verse shows the conflict between the Gileadites and the Ephraimites, highlighting the theme of God's sovereignty and the importance of loyalty and obedience to Him, as stated in Deuteronomy 11:13-15.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can examine my own heart and actions to ensure that I am being loyal to God, just like the Gileadites were trying to identify the loyal Israelites?
How can I use my words and actions to demonstrate my love and commitment to God, and to distinguish myself from those who do not know Him?
In what ways can I be more mindful of the fact that my words and actions have consequences, and that they can be used to either glorify or dishonor God?
What are some areas in my life where I need to be more careful about my words and actions, and to seek God's guidance and wisdom in order to be a faithful representative of Him?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 12:5

And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites,.... Being either swifter of foot, or going a nearer and shorter way, being better acquainted with their own country: and it was

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 12:5

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 12:5

Those Ephraimites which were escaped, Heb. the fugitives of Ephraim, as before; for the Hebrew words are the same; which may make the latter exposition of the foregoing words more probable, to wit, that it is not the Gileadites, but the Ephraimites, who are there as well as here so called, because they are smitten before Jephthah, and fled from him. If he said, Nay; to avoid the present danger.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 12:5

Judges 12:5 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;Ver. 5. Before the Ephraimites.] Who were now become a woeful example of that rule, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." If he said, Nay.] As most men will do in such a case, rather lie than die; which yet they should not do, but resolve with that good woman in Jerome, when she was upon the rack, Non ideo negare volo, ne peream: sed ideo mentiri nolo, ne peccem. Lie I will not, but prefer affliction before sin.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 12:5

(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 quœ 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.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 12:5

5. took the fords] Cf. Judges 3:28, Judges 7:24. Render against (dat. incommodi) rather than toward (marg.) in these passages.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 12:5

5. Took the passages of Jordan — Compare marginal reference. Before the Ephraimites — Or, towards Ephraim, that is, towards the territory of that tribe.

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