It is striking that the author does not say the Gileadites killed
those Ephraimites who failed the pronunciation test, but slaughtered
them. That term was used in the Bible solely for animals, human children sacrificed in place of animals (Genesis 22:10), and helpless people who are butchered like animals (1 Kings 18:40; 2 Kings 10:7, 2 Kings 10:14). Thus, the Ephraimites are subjected to the ultimate shame of being slaughtered as though they were cattle or sheep.1 A leader of Israel who had sacrificed his daughter had now slaughtered his brothers! A horrific demonstration of leadership, indeed!
6 they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 of the Ephraimites fell.