Topical Bible: Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Their Jealousy of Jephthah

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Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's younger son, Ephraim, whom Jacob adopted and blessed (Genesis 48:14-20). The tribe of Ephraim held a prominent position among the tribes of Israel, often being associated with leadership and influence, particularly in the central hill country of Canaan. Despite their favored status, the tribe of Ephraim exhibited a recurring pattern of jealousy and contention with other tribes, notably during the time of the Judges.

The episode of Ephraim's jealousy of Jephthah is a significant narrative that highlights the tribe's contentious nature. Jephthah, a Gileadite, was called upon to lead Israel against the Ammonites due to his reputation as a mighty warrior (Judges 11:1-11). After securing a decisive victory, Jephthah faced the ire of the Ephraimites, who felt slighted for not being called to join the battle against the Ammonites.

In Judges 12:1-6, the men of Ephraim confronted Jephthah with accusations, saying, "Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!" (Judges 12:1). This confrontation underscores the tribe's pride and their desire for recognition and participation in military victories, which they perceived as a means to assert their status and influence.

Jephthah responded by explaining that he had indeed called for their help, but they did not deliver him from the hand of the Ammonites. He further justified his actions by stating that when he saw no help was forthcoming, he took his life in his hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave him victory (Judges 12:2-3). This response highlights Jephthah's reliance on divine providence rather than human alliances.

The conflict escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in a civil war between the Gileadites and the Ephraimites. Jephthah's forces defeated the Ephraimites, and the Gileadites seized the fords of the Jordan River to prevent their escape. The Gileadites used a linguistic test, asking those who wished to cross to say the word "Shibboleth." The Ephraimites, unable to pronounce it correctly, were identified and slain, leading to the death of 42,000 Ephraimites (Judges 12:4-6).

This episode reflects the internal strife and division within Israel during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a lack of centralized leadership and frequent inter-tribal conflicts. The jealousy of Ephraim towards Jephthah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the destructive potential of internal discord among God's people. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation under God's guidance, as opposed to seeking personal glory and recognition.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 12:1
And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why passed you over to fight against the children of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? we will burn your house on you with fire.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Historical Books.
... and the quarrel of the men of Ephraim with Jephthah. ... of David, first at Hebron over
the tribe of Judah ... overthrow, first of the kingdom of Israel, and afterwards ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... a certain Michah in the hill-country of Ephraim and lodged ... of the captivity of the
land."* The tribe of Dan ... itself the most bellicose of the tribes of Israel. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... These trees, and their pleasurableness, do shew us the beauty of the truly godly,
whom ... and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel" (Amos 7:15 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm