Judges 12:6

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

Then said

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֩

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

Then said

to say (used with great latitude)

נָ֨א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

שִׁבֹּ֜לֶת

H7641

now Shibboleth

a stream (as flowing); also an ear of grain (as growing out); by analogy, a branch

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

Then said

to say (used with great latitude)

סִבֹּ֗לֶת

H5451

Sibboleth

an ear of grain

וְלֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָכִין֙

H3559

for he could not frame

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

#10

לְדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

to pronounce

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#11

כֵּ֔ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#12

וַיֹּֽאחֲז֣וּ

H270

Then they took

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

#13

אוֹת֔וֹ

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#14

וַיִּשְׁחָט֖וּהוּ

H7819

him and slew

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

#15

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#16

מַעְבְּר֣וֹת

H4569

him at the passages

a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e., (figuratively) overwhelming

#17

הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן

H3383

of Jordan

jarden, the principal river of palestine

#18

וַיִּפֹּ֞ל

H5307

and there fell

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#19

בָּעֵ֤ת

H6256

at that time

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

#20

הַהִיא֙

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#21

מֵֽאֶפְרַ֔יִם

H669

of the Ephraimites

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#22

אַרְבָּעִ֥ים

H705

forty

#23

וּשְׁנַ֖יִם

H8147

and two

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#24

אָֽלֶף׃

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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