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Meaning of SHIBBOLETH

Pronunciation:  'shibulith

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [n]  a manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people
  2. [n]  a favorite saying of a sect or political group
 
 Websites: 
 
 Synonyms: catchword, motto, slogan
 
 See Also: battle cry, catch phrase, catchphrase, cry, delivery, expression, locution, manner of speaking, rallying cry, saying, speech, war cry

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Shib"bo*leth\, n. [Heb. shibb[=o]leth an ear of
corn, or a stream, a flood.]
1. A word which was made the criterion by which to
   distinguish the Ephraimites from the Gileadites. The
   Ephraimites, not being able to pronounce sh, called the
   word sibboleth. See --Judges xii.
         Without reprieve, adjudged to death, For want of
         well pronouncing shibboleth.          --Milton.
   Also in an extended sense.
         The th, with its twofold value, is . . . the
         shibboleth of foreigners.             --Earle.
2. Hence, the criterion, test, or watchword of a party; a
   party cry or pet phrase.
 
Easton Bible Dictionary
 
 Definition: 

river, or an ear of corn. The tribes living on the east of Jordan, separated from their brethren on the west by the deep ravines and the rapid river, gradually came to adopt peculiar customs, and from mixing largely with the Moabites, Ishmaelites, and Ammonites to pronounce certain letters in such a manner as to distinguish them from the other tribes. Thus when the Ephraimites from the west invaded Gilead, and were defeated by the Gileadites under the leadership of Jephthah, and tried to escape by the "passages of the Jordan," the Gileadites seized the fords and would allow none to pass who could not pronounce "shibboleth" with a strong aspirate. This the fugitives were unable to do. They said "sibboleth," as the word was pronounced by the tribes on the west, and thus they were detected (Judg. 12:1-6). Forty-two thousand were thus detected, and

"Without reprieve, adjudged to death,

For want of well-pronouncing shibboleth."

 
Glossary
 
 Definition:  Sibboleth, ear of corn; stream or flood
 

 

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