Judges 12

1The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites and not call us to go along? We will burn your house over your head!” 2Jephthah answered them, “My people and I were in a bitter struggle with the Ammonites. I called you, but you did not rescue me from their power. 3When I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD handed them over to me. So why have you come up against me today to fight with me?” 4Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. The men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are nothing but runaways from Ephraim, living among Ephraim and Manasseh.” 5The Gileadites took control of the fords of the Jordan to cut off Ephraim. Whenever one of the Ephraimites who were escaping said, “Let me cross,” the men of Gilead would ask him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No,” 6they would say to him, “Then say ‘Shibboleth.’” He would say “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce the word correctly. Then they would seize him and kill him there at the Jordan fords. At that time 42,000 Ephraimites fell. 7Jephthah judged Israel for six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the towns of Gilead.

8After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. 9He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters in marriage outside his clan, and brought in thirty young women from outside as wives for his sons. He judged Israel for seven years. 10Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.

11After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel. He judged Israel for ten years. 12Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

13After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. 14His forty sons and thirty grandsons rode on seventy donkeys. He judged Israel for eight years. 15Then Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.