Tyndale Open Study NotesJudges 12

Ephraim felt neglected again (see Judges 8:1–3) and wanted revenge. Unlike Gideon's approach, Jephthah blamed Ephraim, leading to a civil war.

Zaphon was just east of the Jordan River, opposite the area belonging to the tribe of Ephraim.

There is no record of Jephthah's earlier request.

The reason the people of Ephraim taunted the men of Gilead is unclear. They might have resented or looked down on the Israelites living east of the Jordan River.

You could only cross the Jordan River at shallow spots where tributaries left silt. This was likely true where the Jabbok joined the Jordan.

• The term Shibboleth is now used to mean any password used to identify imposters. Armies have used such linguistic tests throughout history.

• 42,000 Ephraimites: This number might also mean "42 troops" (see study note on Exodus 12:37).

six years: Like all the judges after Gideon, Jephthah served for a specific and short time (see study note on Judges 8:28). Jephthah received an honorable burial, showing that despite his limitations, he was an inspired and successful warrior (Judges 11:29; contrast with Abimelech, study note on Judges 9:54–55).

The account continues with these lesser judges (see study note on Judges 10:1–5).

If this was the northern Bethlehem in Zebulun, it fits the structure of Judges. Each tribe provides one of the twelve judges (see Judges Book Introduction, “Summary”).

The Amalekites had previously lived in parts of Ephraim (Judges 5:14).