Keraia
Judges 8

Judges 8:1

Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna · Judges 8:1–21
Read Judges 8

Translations

Modern
Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the men of Ephraim said to him, “What is this thing you have done to us by not calling us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him in strength.
Latin
Dixeruntque ad eum viri Ephraim: Quid est hoc quod facere voluisti, ut nos non vocares, cum ad pugnam pergeres contra Madian? jurgantes fortiter, et prope vim inferentes.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently.

Notes

Judges 8:1–3

Ephraim, the leading tribe of the north-central hill country, produced only a minor judge named Tola (Judges 10:1). The Ephraimites felt left out of the battle because they wanted a share of the spoils. When called, they completed the task. Gideon responded with grace and humility, calming Ephraim’s anger (see Proverbs 15:1; compare with Jephthah, Judges 12:1–4). The victories of Gideon and Ephraim over Oreb and Zeeb and their armies became legendary (compare Psalm 83:11–12; Isaiah 10:26).

Judges 6:1–8:35

Gideon's time as a judge ends the first era of judges.

Theme notes and profiles

Gideon Social Chaos in Judges

Events

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel

Places

Midian: A nation descended from Abraham; oppressed Israel in the time of the judges

Glossary

Ephraim, Tribe of Gideon Judges, Book of Midian, Midianite Zebah and Zalmunna

Topics

Anger: Ephraimites, Toward Gideon, for not Soliciting Their Help Against the Midianites Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Rebuked Gideon for not Summoning Them to Join the War Against the Midianites Flattery by Gideon Gideon: Reproaches the Ephraimites for not Joining in the Campaign Against the Midianites God: Preserver: Under Gideon Israel: Under the Judges: Seven Years of Bondage to the Midianites; Delivered by Gideon Jealousy: Ephraimites, of Gideon Judge: Gideon Midianites: Defeated by Gideon Oppression: National, Relieved Prudence: Gideon Tact of Gideon Tribe of Ephraim: Remonstrated with Gideon for not Calling Them Sooner Against