And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.

JUDGES 12:2KJV
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Judges 12:2 (KJV)

What does Judges 12:2 mean?

Judges 12:2 records Jephthah telling a group from Ephraim that he and his people were in a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when he called for help, the Ephraimites did not come to rescue him. Jephthah is explaining why he acted as he did, highlighting that he faced the enemy alone after being ignored.

Jephthah, the leader of Gilead, is speaking to the men of Ephraim after they confront him angrily. The situation is tense because the Ephraimites are upset that Jephthah fought the Ammonites without them. Jephthah’s words show his frustration and set the stage for the conflict that follows between the two Israelite groups.

The Hebrew behind Judges 12:2

  • The word for "strife" is רִיב (riv), which often means a legal dispute or a strong conflict. Here, it emphasizes the seriousness of the struggle Jephthah faced with Ammon.
  • "Called" is זָעַק (za'aq), meaning to cry out or call for help, showing Jephthah’s genuine appeal for assistance from Ephraim.
  • "Delivered" is יָשַׁע (yasha’), meaning to save or rescue. Jephthah is clear that Ephraim did not come to his aid when he needed saving.

Why Judges 12:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jephthah did not intentionally exclude Ephraim from the battle; he actually asked for their help, but they did not respond.
  • It highlights the divisions and lack of unity among the Israelite tribes during the time of the judges, which is a recurring theme in the book.
  • Understanding Jephthah’s perspective helps explain the escalation of conflict between Gilead and Ephraim that follows in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“Jephthah” Hebrew H3316 · used in 26 verses

  • Joshua 15:43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
  • Judges 11:9 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?
  • Judges 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.

“strife” Hebrew H7379 · used in 61 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“were” Hebrew H1961 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Exodus 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
  • 2 Samuel 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

“called” Hebrew H2199 · used in 73 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
  • Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.