📖 Judges — Chapter 8 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Judges 8:1 And Rthe men of Ephraim said unto him, TWhy hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him Tsharply.
Judges 8:2 And he said unto them, RWhat have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
Judges 8:3 RGod hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their Tanger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
Judges 8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, Rfaint, yet pursuing them.
Judges 8:5 And he said unto the men of RSuccoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
Judges 8:6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
Judges 8:7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will Ttear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
Judges 8:8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
Judges 8:9 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When RI come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
Judges 8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the Rchildren of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand Tmen that drew sword.
Judges 8:11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of RNobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure.
Judges 8:12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and Rtook the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and Tdiscomfited all the host.
Judges 8:13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
Judges 8:14 And Rcaught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he Tdescribed unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.
Judges 8:15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did Rupbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
Judges 8:16 And he took Rthe elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he Ttaught the men of Succoth.
Judges 8:17 RAnd he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
Judges 8:18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at RTabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one Tresembled the children of a king.
Judges 8:19 And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
Judges 8:20 And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
Judges 8:21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, RRise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the Tornaments that were on their camels’ necks.
Judges 8:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, RRule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
Judges 8:23 And Gideon said unto them, RI will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
Judges 8:24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would Rgive me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
Judges 8:25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
Judges 8:26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and Tcollars, and Rpurple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.
Judges 8:27 And Gideon made Ran ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
Judges 8:28 Thus Rwas Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
Judges 8:29 And RJerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
Judges 8:30 And Gideon had Rthreescore and ten sons Tof his body begotten: for he had many wives.
Judges 8:31 And his Rconcubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he Tcalled Abimelech.
Judges 8:32 And Gideon the son of Joash Rdied in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Judges 8:33 And it came to pass, Ras soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.
Judges 8:34 And the children of Israel Rremembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:
Judges 8:35 Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 8:1–12 — A gentle reply and an exhausting pursuit
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Gideon answers Ephraim's complaint by honoring their capture of the princes, calming their anger. His three hundred continue despite exhaustion. Succoth and Penuel refuse bread before the outcome is secure; Gideon then captures Zebah and Zalmunna.
Key Truth: The same chapter shows a conciliatory reply and growing hostility during the pursuit.
Check What You Remember
1. Which tribe complained to Gideon? (Judges 8:1)
Find it in Judges 8:1 (KJV).
2. What food did Gideon request from Succoth? (Judges 8:5)
Find it in Judges 8:5 (KJV).
3. Which two kings did Gideon capture? (Judges 8:12)
Find it in Judges 8:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 8:13–21 — Retribution after the battle
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Gideon punishes Succoth and destroys Penuel's tower, killing its men. His questioning of the Midianite kings reveals that they killed his brothers; he then kills the kings himself. These events include personal vengeance and should not be turned into permission for a reader to retaliate.
Key Truth: Victory and the actions of a deliverer must still be examined carefully.
Check What You Remember
1. How many leaders of Succoth were described to Gideon? (Judges 8:14)
Find it in Judges 8:14 (KJV).
2. What structure did Gideon destroy at Penuel? (Judges 8:17)
Find it in Judges 8:17 (KJV).
3. What was the name of Gideon's firstborn son? (Judges 8:20)
Find it in Judges 8:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 8:22–35 — Refused kingship and a dangerous ephod
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Gideon says the LORD should rule Israel, but his gold ephod becomes a snare to him and his household. The land rests forty years, yet Israel returns to Baal after his death. Abimelech's birth prepares for the next chapter.
Key Truth: A right declaration can be undermined by practices that draw people into idolatry.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom did Gideon say should rule Israel? (Judges 8:23)
Find it in Judges 8:23 (KJV).
2. What did Gideon make from the gold? (Judges 8:27)
Find it in Judges 8:27 (KJV).
3. What was the name of Gideon's son born in Shechem? (Judges 8:31)
Find it in Judges 8:31 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 15:1 — Gideon's first response illustrates the contrast between a soft answer and escalating anger.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Compare Gideon's words about the LORD ruling with the effect of his ephod. What questions should accompany admiration for a leader?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Gideon answer Ephraim’s complaint?
2. What contrast describes Gideon’s three hundred while crossing Jordan?
3. How does Gideon reject the proposed dynasty?
4. How does the ephod’s outcome complicate Gideon’s victories?
5. What two failures are recorded after Gideon’s death besides turning to Baalim?
Notes
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