THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
The descendants of Ephraim prepared for battle against Jephthah, feeling bitter that they had not participated in the triumph over the Ammonites. When their efforts proved fruitless, they eventually retreated.
Judges 12:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Then calling to him all the men of Galaad, he fought against Ephraim: and the men of Galaad defeated Ephraim, because he had said: Galaad is a fugitive of Ephraim, and dwelleth in the midst of Ephraim and Manasses.
וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ יִפְתָּח֙ אֶת־כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֣י גִלְעָ֔ד וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם אֶת־אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַיַּכּוּ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י גִלְעָ֜ד אֶת־אֶפְרַ֗יִם כִּ֤י אָמְרוּ֙ פְּלִיטֵ֤י אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ אַתֶּ֔ם גִּלְעָ֕ד בְּת֥וֹךְ אֶפְרַ֖יִם בְּת֥וֹךְ מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
The insurgents were relentless, referring to the people of Gilead as outcasts who had departed from the genuine lineage of Joseph. This led to a confrontation in which Jephthah triumphed and dispersed them.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- 1 Sam 25:10But Nabal answering the servants of David, said: Who is David? and what is the son of Isai? servants are multiplied now days who flee from their masters.
- Ps 78 (77):9
- Num 32:39Moreover the children of Machir, the son of Manasses, went into Galaad, and wasted it, cutting off the Amorrhites, the inhabitants thereof.
- Num 32:40And Moses gave the land of Galaad to Machir the son of Manasses, and he dwelt in it.
- Prov 12:13For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the evil man: but the just shall escape out of distress.
- Prov 15:1A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
- Judg 11:10They answered him: The Lord, who heareth these things, he himself is mediator and witness that we will do as we have promised.
- Deut 3:12And we possessed the land at that time from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the torrent Arnon, unto the half of mount Galaad: and I gave the cities thereof to Ruben and Gad.