said they unto him] That is, to every man that came to seek for passage over Jordan, that they might discern the Ephramites from those that dwelled beyond Jordan, and might happen at the same time to come and seek for passage. Sibboleth] That is, a stream, foord, or water-course, a word fit for the present occasion, when they were to passe over, Psalms 69:2. Isaiah 27:12. and he said Shibboleth] Speaking upon the sudden, according to the dialect of their own countrey, unto which they were accustomed, not suspecting what they intended.