And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.
And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi–ezer?
God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.
And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.
Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.
And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.
And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.
And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi–ezrites.
And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal–berith their god.
And the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:
Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.
Judges 8 follows the triumphant victory over the Midianites described in Judges 7, but the chapter reveals that even great victories can be followed by missteps and a slow drift away from God. This chapter showcases Gideon's complex character, highlighting his strengths as a leader while also exposing his weaknesses. It serves as a cautionary tale about the subtle temptations that can arise even after moments of great faithfulness. The chapter begins with Gideon navigating tribal tensions and ends with the seeds of future conflict sown by his own choices.
Soothing Tribal Pride (Judges 8:1-3)
Gideon's pursuit of the fleeing Midianite army was relentless; he sought total victory (Judges 7:19-23). However, the men of Ephraim were incensed that they weren't called upon earlier in the battle, only to mop up at the end. They felt slighted, believing they should have been at the forefront of the initial attack in the Valley of Jezreel. Gideon, displaying considerable diplomacy, skillfully calmed their anger with flattery. He acknowledged their crucial role in capturing and killing the Midianite commanders Oreb and Zeeb, suggesting their contribution was even greater than his own. He subtly appealed to their tribal pride, implying that the tribe of Ephraim was far more prestigious than his own clan (Judges 6:15), thus alleviating their concerns about their reputation. Gideon's response demonstrates the importance of humility and tact in leadership, especially when dealing with potential divisions within a community.
Pursuing Victory, Facing Resistance (Judges 8:4-9)
Continuing his relentless pursuit, Gideon and his small band of 300 men crossed the Jordan River. Exhausted but determined, they sought provisions from the Israelite towns of Succoth and Penuel. Sadly, both towns refused to offer assistance, fearing the potential for Midianite retaliation should Gideon fail. This refusal reveals a lack of faith and a prioritization of self-preservation over loyalty to their fellow Israelites. Gideon, frustrated by their lack of support, vowed to punish them upon his return. He promised to "tear [their] flesh with thorns and briers" (Judges 8:7) and to tear down the tower of Penuel (Judges 8:9). This incident highlights the challenges leaders face when their own people lack faith and courage. It also shows Gideon's growing sense of authority and a willingness to use force to achieve his goals. The towns acted more favorably to their oppressors than to their own people, and Gideon intended to make examples of them.
Crushing the Remnant (Judges 8:10-12)
Gideon, with the Lord's help, overtook the remaining Midianite forces, who were caught off guard. The Midianites panicked and were easily defeated by the small Israelite force. Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite kings, were captured. The scale of the Midianite defeat is emphasized by the mention of 120,000 fallen soldiers, leaving only 15,000. While the exact numbers might be debated (the Hebrew word for "thousand," eleph, can also mean "clan" or "division"), the overwhelming victory of Gideon's small force against a much larger enemy is undeniable.
Justice and Vengeance (Judges 8:13-17)
Instead of immediately celebrating his victory, Gideon returned to Succoth and Penuel to fulfill his promises. He forced a young man from Succoth to identify the town's leaders and then brutally punished them with thorns and briers, teaching them a harsh lesson. He then proceeded to Penuel, where he tore down their tower and killed the men of the city. These acts of vengeance, while understandable in the context of the towns' betrayal, raise questions about the limits of justice and the dangers of unchecked power. The stark contrast between Gideon's earlier diplomacy with the Ephraimites and his later brutality highlights the complexities of his character.
Confronting the Kings (Judges 8:18-21)
Gideon confronted the captured Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, accusing them of murdering his brothers at Mount Tabor. This personal connection adds another layer to Gideon's motivations, revealing a desire for revenge for the loss of his family. He ordered his young son, Jether, to execute the kings, but Jether hesitated, fearing the act. The kings then taunted Gideon, suggesting he do it himself. Gideon, perhaps fueled by anger and a desire to avenge his brothers, complied, killing them and taking the crescent ornaments from their camels' necks.
Rejecting Kingship, Embracing Influence (Judges 8:22-28)
The Israelites, grateful for their deliverance, offered Gideon the throne, proposing a hereditary monarchy for him and his descendants. However, Gideon wisely refused, declaring that "the LORD will rule over you" (Judges 8:23). He understood that God was their true king. Yet, Gideon then requested that each man give him the gold earrings taken as spoils of war. From these earrings, he created an ephod and placed it in his hometown of Ophrah. This act, seemingly innocent, became a "snare" to Israel, as the people began to worship the ephod, turning it into an idol. An ephod was a priestly article that fit like a vest. There was only one official ephod; it was to be used only by a Levitical priest in the tabernacle (see Exodus 28:6-14). Thus Gideon chose to make something that he shouldn’t have to use in a place where such a thing didn’t belong. In doing so, he assumed an illegitimate position of religious authority that had not been assigned to him. And as the Israelites looked to him and his ephod to be a spiritual guide, they were unfaithful to God’s program. Gideon's creation of the ephod, despite his rejection of kingship, demonstrates the subtle ways in which power and influence can corrupt, leading even well-intentioned leaders astray. Despite this spiritual misstep, Israel enjoyed forty years of peace during Gideon's lifetime.
A Troubled Household (Judges 8:29-31)
Despite his initial faithfulness, Gideon's personal life was far from exemplary. He had seventy sons through his many wives, a clear violation of God's design for marriage. Furthermore, he had a son named Abimelech ("My Father is King") with a concubine from Shechem. This act hints at Gideon's underlying desire for power and sets the stage for the tragic events that will unfold in the next chapter. Whenever you see polygamy in the Bible, you’ve got a messy situation that contrasts with God’s stated his design for marriage (see Genesis 2:23-24). The seeds of future conflict were sown within Gideon's own household.
Apostasy After Gideon's Death (Judges 8:32-35)
After Gideon's death, the Israelites quickly abandoned the Lord and turned to worship the Baals, particularly Baal-berith, "Baal of the covenant" (Judges 8:33). This marked a return to the cycle of idolatry and oppression that plagued Israel throughout the book of Judges. They were practicing religious syncretism: they were mixing faiths, worshiping Baal and mixing it with God’s covenant with them. This is much like what happened when a previous generation made a golden-calf idol and called it the one who brought Israel up from Egypt (see Exodus 32:4-5). Such compromises can only lead to death. Furthermore, they showed no loyalty or gratitude to Gideon's family, forgetting all that he had done for them. This ingratitude and apostasy highlight the fickle nature of human loyalty and the constant need for spiritual vigilance. The Israelites failed to remember that ultimately it was God who had delivered them from their enemies, and they didn’t even respect Gideon’s family for all he had done for them.
Judges 8 serves as a sobering reminder that even great leaders are fallible and that victory does not guarantee lasting faithfulness. It underscores the importance of humility, obedience, and unwavering devotion to God, lest we fall into the same patterns of sin and rebellion as the Israelites of old. The chapter is also a potent warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the subtle temptations that can lead even the most well-intentioned individuals astray.
And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.
And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi–ezer?
God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.
And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.
Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.
And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.
And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.
And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi–ezrites.
And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal–berith their god.
And the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:
Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.
Judges 8 follows the triumphant victory over the Midianites described in Judges 7, but the chapter reveals that even great victories can be followed by missteps and a slow drift away from God. This chapter showcases Gideon's complex character, highlighting his strengths as a leader while also exposing his weaknesses. It serves as a cautionary tale about the subtle temptations that can arise even after moments of great faithfulness. The chapter begins with Gideon navigating tribal tensions and ends with the seeds of future conflict sown by his own choices.
Soothing Tribal Pride (Judges 8:1-3)
Gideon's pursuit of the fleeing Midianite army was relentless; he sought total victory (Judges 7:19-23). However, the men of Ephraim were incensed that they weren't called upon earlier in the battle, only to mop up at the end. They felt slighted, believing they should have been at the forefront of the initial attack in the Valley of Jezreel. Gideon, displaying considerable diplomacy, skillfully calmed their anger with flattery. He acknowledged their crucial role in capturing and killing the Midianite commanders Oreb and Zeeb, suggesting their contribution was even greater than his own. He subtly appealed to their tribal pride, implying that the tribe of Ephraim was far more prestigious than his own clan (Judges 6:15), thus alleviating their concerns about their reputation. Gideon's response demonstrates the importance of humility and tact in leadership, especially when dealing with potential divisions within a community.
Pursuing Victory, Facing Resistance (Judges 8:4-9)
Continuing his relentless pursuit, Gideon and his small band of 300 men crossed the Jordan River. Exhausted but determined, they sought provisions from the Israelite towns of Succoth and Penuel. Sadly, both towns refused to offer assistance, fearing the potential for Midianite retaliation should Gideon fail. This refusal reveals a lack of faith and a prioritization of self-preservation over loyalty to their fellow Israelites. Gideon, frustrated by their lack of support, vowed to punish them upon his return. He promised to "tear [their] flesh with thorns and briers" (Judges 8:7) and to tear down the tower of Penuel (Judges 8:9). This incident highlights the challenges leaders face when their own people lack faith and courage. It also shows Gideon's growing sense of authority and a willingness to use force to achieve his goals. The towns acted more favorably to their oppressors than to their own people, and Gideon intended to make examples of them.
Crushing the Remnant (Judges 8:10-12)
Gideon, with the Lord's help, overtook the remaining Midianite forces, who were caught off guard. The Midianites panicked and were easily defeated by the small Israelite force. Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite kings, were captured. The scale of the Midianite defeat is emphasized by the mention of 120,000 fallen soldiers, leaving only 15,000. While the exact numbers might be debated (the Hebrew word for "thousand," eleph, can also mean "clan" or "division"), the overwhelming victory of Gideon's small force against a much larger enemy is undeniable.
Justice and Vengeance (Judges 8:13-17)
Instead of immediately celebrating his victory, Gideon returned to Succoth and Penuel to fulfill his promises. He forced a young man from Succoth to identify the town's leaders and then brutally punished them with thorns and briers, teaching them a harsh lesson. He then proceeded to Penuel, where he tore down their tower and killed the men of the city. These acts of vengeance, while understandable in the context of the towns' betrayal, raise questions about the limits of justice and the dangers of unchecked power. The stark contrast between Gideon's earlier diplomacy with the Ephraimites and his later brutality highlights the complexities of his character.
Confronting the Kings (Judges 8:18-21)
Gideon confronted the captured Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, accusing them of murdering his brothers at Mount Tabor. This personal connection adds another layer to Gideon's motivations, revealing a desire for revenge for the loss of his family. He ordered his young son, Jether, to execute the kings, but Jether hesitated, fearing the act. The kings then taunted Gideon, suggesting he do it himself. Gideon, perhaps fueled by anger and a desire to avenge his brothers, complied, killing them and taking the crescent ornaments from their camels' necks.
Rejecting Kingship, Embracing Influence (Judges 8:22-28)
The Israelites, grateful for their deliverance, offered Gideon the throne, proposing a hereditary monarchy for him and his descendants. However, Gideon wisely refused, declaring that "the LORD will rule over you" (Judges 8:23). He understood that God was their true king. Yet, Gideon then requested that each man give him the gold earrings taken as spoils of war. From these earrings, he created an ephod and placed it in his hometown of Ophrah. This act, seemingly innocent, became a "snare" to Israel, as the people began to worship the ephod, turning it into an idol. An ephod was a priestly article that fit like a vest. There was only one official ephod; it was to be used only by a Levitical priest in the tabernacle (see Exodus 28:6-14). Thus Gideon chose to make something that he shouldn’t have to use in a place where such a thing didn’t belong. In doing so, he assumed an illegitimate position of religious authority that had not been assigned to him. And as the Israelites looked to him and his ephod to be a spiritual guide, they were unfaithful to God’s program. Gideon's creation of the ephod, despite his rejection of kingship, demonstrates the subtle ways in which power and influence can corrupt, leading even well-intentioned leaders astray. Despite this spiritual misstep, Israel enjoyed forty years of peace during Gideon's lifetime.
A Troubled Household (Judges 8:29-31)
Despite his initial faithfulness, Gideon's personal life was far from exemplary. He had seventy sons through his many wives, a clear violation of God's design for marriage. Furthermore, he had a son named Abimelech ("My Father is King") with a concubine from Shechem. This act hints at Gideon's underlying desire for power and sets the stage for the tragic events that will unfold in the next chapter. Whenever you see polygamy in the Bible, you’ve got a messy situation that contrasts with God’s stated his design for marriage (see Genesis 2:23-24). The seeds of future conflict were sown within Gideon's own household.
Apostasy After Gideon's Death (Judges 8:32-35)
After Gideon's death, the Israelites quickly abandoned the Lord and turned to worship the Baals, particularly Baal-berith, "Baal of the covenant" (Judges 8:33). This marked a return to the cycle of idolatry and oppression that plagued Israel throughout the book of Judges. They were practicing religious syncretism: they were mixing faiths, worshiping Baal and mixing it with God’s covenant with them. This is much like what happened when a previous generation made a golden-calf idol and called it the one who brought Israel up from Egypt (see Exodus 32:4-5). Such compromises can only lead to death. Furthermore, they showed no loyalty or gratitude to Gideon's family, forgetting all that he had done for them. This ingratitude and apostasy highlight the fickle nature of human loyalty and the constant need for spiritual vigilance. The Israelites failed to remember that ultimately it was God who had delivered them from their enemies, and they didn’t even respect Gideon’s family for all he had done for them.
Judges 8 serves as a sobering reminder that even great leaders are fallible and that victory does not guarantee lasting faithfulness. It underscores the importance of humility, obedience, and unwavering devotion to God, lest we fall into the same patterns of sin and rebellion as the Israelites of old. The chapter is also a potent warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the subtle temptations that can lead even the most well-intentioned individuals astray.