King James Version
What Does Judges 12:7 Mean?
“And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.”
Context
5
And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;
6
Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
7
And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.
8
And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.
9
And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(7) **Judged Israel.**—The word implies that he was one of the recognised *Shophetim, *but there are no details to show in the case of any of the judges either what were the limits of their jurisdiction or what amount of authority it implied.
**In one of the cities of Gilead.**—The Hebrew only says, “in *cities *of Gilead.” This may, no doubt. mean “one of the cities of Gilead,” as in Genesis 19:29 “the cities *in the which *Lot dwelt” means “in *one of which *Lot dwelt.” But the burial-place of so renowned a hero as Jephthah was not likely to be forgotten, and the reading adopted by the LXX. and Vulg., “in his city, Gilead” (*i.e., *Ramoth-Gilead or Mizpeh of Gilead), is furnished by a mere change of into The *Sebee, *in which Josephus says he was buried, may be a corruption of Mizpeh.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Judges 12:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.