Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.
The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan River to fight against the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. Because of this, Israel was in great trouble and distress.
The writer is describing how Israel faced attacks from multiple directions, leaving them in severe distress and desperate need of help.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during the period of the Judges (around 1200-1000 BC) when Israel had no king and was ruled by regional leaders called judges. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot who lived east of the Jordan River and were longtime enemies of Israel. This verse describes how the Ammonites expanded their attacks beyond their usual eastern territories to strike at the heart of Israel's tribal lands.
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