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Judges 8

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 8 of 21

1 And the men of Ephraim said to him, What is this thing you have done to us, not to call us when you went out to fight against Midian? And they contended with him sharply.

2 And he said to them, What have I done now in comparison to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

3 God has given the rulers of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, into your hand. And what was I able to do like you? Then their spirits quieted toward him when he said this word.

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Chapter Summary

Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites. 4 Succoth and Penuel refuse to feed Gideon's army. 10 Kings Zebah and Zalmunna taken. 13 Succoth taught, Penuel destroyed. 29 Gideon's sons, death.

Key Hebrew Words

יָשַׁע deliver, save H3467 · TWOT 929
מָשַׁל rule, reign H4910 · TWOT 1259
אֵפוֹד ephod H646 · TWOT 142.1a
מוֹקֵשׁ snare H4170 · TWOT 906c
זָנָה go fornicating after H2181 · TWOT 563
חֶסֶד kindness H2617 · TWOT 698a

People & Context

Gideon (Jerubbaal)

Pacifies Ephraim, captures Zebah and Zalmunna, refuses kingship, then makes the ensnaring ephod

Zebah

King of Midian pursued to Karkor, captured, and slain by Gideon for killing his brothers

Zalmunna

King of Midian captured and slain by Gideon alongside Zebah

Jether

Gideon's firstborn, told to kill the kings but afraid to draw his sword, still a youth

Abimelech

Son born to Gideon by his concubine in Shechem

Joash

Gideon's father, in whose burial place at Ophrah Gideon is buried

Timeline

Ephraim Complains to Gideon

The men of Ephraim contend sharply with Gideon, angered that he did not call them to fight Midian from the beginning.

Judges 8:1
Gideon Placates Ephraim

Gideon diplomatically appeases Ephraim by exalting their capture of Oreb and Zeeb over his own accomplishments.

Judges 8:2-3
Succoth Refuses Gideon Bread

Gideon, pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, asks the men of Succoth for bread for his weary 300 men. They mockingly refuse, and Gideon threatens to thresh them with thorns.

Judges 8:4-7

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