Keraia
Judges 8

Judges 8:13

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

Translations

Modern
After this, Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle along the Ascent of Heres.
Traditional
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
Literal
And Gideon son of Joash returned from battle along the Ascent of Heres.
Latin
Revertensque de bello ante solis ortum,

Original

Hebrew
English
After this, Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle along the Ascent of Heres.

Notes

Judges 8:13–17

  • The return journey likely followed a straight path through the unknown Ascent of Heres, unlike the circular route needed for the ambush.

  • The fact that a typical young man from Succoth could write down the names shows that the new alphabetic writing system had become established in Israel.

  • Gideon's practice of retribution and execution was common in his time. However, his reputation as the Lord's servant was better supported by his skillful diplomacy (Judges 8:1–3) than by harsh punishment.

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

Gideon: Judge of Israel; defeated Midianites; tested and reassured by God Joash: The father of Gideon, a judge of Israel

Places

Heres: Place near where Gideon defeated the Midianites

Glossary

Ascent of Heres Heres Joash Judges, Book of Midian, Midianite Penuel (Place) Succoth

Topics

God: Preserver: Under Gideon Israel: Under the Judges: Seven Years of Bondage to the Midianites; Delivered by Gideon Joash: Father of Gideon Patriotism: Lacking in The Inhabitants of Succoth and Penuel Retaliation: Gideon on the Princes of Succoth The Ishmaelites: Overcome by Gideon Zalmunna: King of Midian Zebah: King of Midian