Keraia
Judges 8

Judges 8:15

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

Translations

Modern
And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”
Traditional
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?
Literal
And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Is the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’”
Latin
Venitque ad Soccoth, et dixit eis: En Zebee et Salmana, super quibus exprobrastis mihi, dicentes: Forsitan manus Zebee et Salmana in manibus tuis sunt, et idcirco postulas ut demus viris, qui lassi sunt et defecerunt, panes.

Original

Hebrew
English
And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”

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

Zalmunna: Midianite king defeated by Gideon Zebah: Midianite king defeated by Gideon

Places

Succoth: City in Canaan, location of Solomon's bronze works

Glossary

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

Topics

Gideon: Avenges Himself Upon the People of Succoth God: Preserver: Under Gideon Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Israel: Under the Judges: Seven Years of Bondage to the Midianites; Delivered by Gideon Patriotism: Lacking in The Inhabitants of Succoth and Penuel Retaliation: Gideon on the Princes of Succoth Succoth: A City Which Was Located Probably East of the Jordan River: People of, Punished by Gideon The Ishmaelites: Overcome by Gideon Zalmunna: King of Midian Zebah: King of Midian