Judges 12:8-16:31

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Judges 12:1-15

at the Fords of Ephraim Judges 12:1-15 In this second war, Jephthah showed the same conciliatory spirit as he had showed to Ammon. He parleyed sensibly and courteously before he went into the conflict. A great many Christians are less Christian than this. They ignore Christ’s strict injunction, Matthew 18:15 . Ephraim had acted in the same manner to Gideon, Judges 8:1 . In each case that tribe wanted to retain its primacy without the sacrifice which leadership involves; and it was angry when... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Judges 12:1-15

The men of Ephraim took the same action in the case of Jephthah as they had done in the case of Gideon. After his victory they complained that they had not been called to help. It would seem as though they had become more arrogant as the result of Gideon's conciliatory method with them, for this time they came with the deliberate purpose of war. In Jephthah they found a man of another mold. He did not attempt to conciliate but visited them with the most severe punishment. Two things combined... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 12:8

‘ And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.’ There were two Bethlehems, one in the tribe of Zebulun, (Joshua 9:15) and another in the tribe of Judah. We do not know which one it was although, as Bethlehem in Judah is called ‘Bethlehem-judah’ elsewhere (Judges 17:7-9; Judges 19:1-2; Judges 19:18), it was probably in Zebulun. read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 12:8-15

Judges 12:8-Ezra : . The Three Minor Judges.— Ibzan’ s home was probably Bethlehem in Zebulun ( Joshua 19:15), 7 m. from Nazareth, still called Beit-lahm. For Aijalon we should probably read Elon (so the LXX). Pirathon is perhaps Far’ ata, near Nâ blû s. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 12:8

Of Beth-lehem; either that in Judah, of which Matthew 2:6; or that in Zebulun, Joshua 19:15. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Judges 12:1-15

THE ARROGANT EPHRAIMITES AND JEPHTHAH—THE JUDGES WITHOUT FAME(Judges 12:1-15.)CRITICAL NOTES.— Judges 12:1. Gathered themselves together.] Not in a disorderly or tumultuous manner as some would take it, but assembled in force, for the purpose of fighting if necessary (ch. Judges 7:23-24; Judges 10:17). Passed over (Jordan) northward, or it may mean to Zaphon, for such is the Hebrew word. Zaphon was a town in the tribe of Gad, mentioned along with Succoth.Wherefore, etc., didst thou not call us... read more

C.I. Scofield

Scofield's Reference Notes - Judges 12:8

Ibzan He seems to have been only a civil judge in northeast Israel. read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Judges 12:1-15

Chapter 12Now, remember the men of Ephraim when Gideon came back having, you know, gotten the victory and they said, "Why didn't you call us?" Well here they are again, chapter twelve.AND the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Why did you pass over to fight against the children Ammon, and you didn't call us to go with you? We're gonna burn you and your house with fire ( Judges 12:1 ).Well, they got by with this kind of stuff with Gideon.... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Judges 12:1-15

Judges 12:3 . I put my life in my hands; a Hebraism of forcible import. David twice uses the same phrase. Now, to take the life of a man who had thus devoted himself, and whom God had honoured, was the extreme of wickedness. Judges 12:6 . Shibboleth. Vox Hebraica, juxta interpretationem Hebræam, significet impetum currentis aquæ. This Hebrew word, according to the interpretation of the rabbins, designates impetuous currents of waters. Our travellers state that the Jordan is, in many... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Judges 12:8

Jdg 12:8 And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. Ver. 8. Ibzan of Bethlehem. ] Hic dicitur fuisse Boaz, saith Vatablus. This some will have to be Boaz, the husband of Ruth, the Moabitess, and great-grandfather of King David. But this is a conjecture only. read more

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