Judges 8:9

Modern

So Gideon told the men of Penuel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower!”

Traditional

And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.

Literal

And he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come back in peace, I will tear down this tower.”

Latin

Dixit itaque et eis: Cum reversus fuero victor in pace, destruam turrim hanc.

Hebrew

English

So Gideon told the men of Penuel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower!”

this tower: Towers were common during this time. Archaeologists have found them at both Succoth and Shechem (see Judges 9:46–49).

At this point, Gideon seemed as focused on revenge as on victory. His earlier conversations with the Lord suddenly stopped. The group of 300 men made a final attack on the Midianites.
Gideon chased the fleeing Midianite kings through the Jabbok gorge and then south toward Rabbah, following the caravan route onto the Transjordan plateau.
Succoth and Peniel were Israelite cities, but their loyalty to Gideon, a new general, was weak. The tribes east of the Jordan were often under Midianite pressure and seemed to fear them.

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

Theme notes and profiles

1 Kings 22:27–28
…and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”
Judges 8:17
He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Peniel: A place where Jacob wrestled with God