Judges 8 10

Judges 8:10 kjv

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 children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

Judges 8:10 nkjv

Now Zebah and Zalmunna were at Karkor, and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East; for one hundred and twenty thousand men who drew the sword had fallen.

Judges 8:10 niv

Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with a force of about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of the armies of the eastern peoples; a hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had fallen.

Judges 8:10 esv

Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about 15,000 men, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East, for there had fallen 120,000 men who drew the sword.

Judges 8:10 nlt

By this time Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with about 15,000 warriors ? all that remained of the allied armies of the east, for 120,000 had already been killed.

Judges 8 verses

Judges 8 10 Meaning

Judges 8:10 describes the desperate state of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, and their significantly reduced forces. After a divinely orchestrated defeat, their once-massive army was reduced to only 15,000 survivors. This verse emphasizes the completeness of God's victory through Gideon's small force, highlighting that 120,000 trained Midianite warriors had already perished, signaling the near-total destruction of the oppressive "people of the East" and setting the stage for the final phase of Gideon's pursuit.

Judges 8 10 Context

Judges chapter 8 picks up immediately after the miraculous victory detailed in chapter 7, where God enabled Gideon's 300 men to rout the vast Midianite coalition. While the bulk of the Midianite army was destroyed, their kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, managed to escape with a portion of their forces. Chapter 8 describes Gideon's relentless and challenging pursuit of these kings, pressing far beyond Israel's usual borders. He faces resistance not only from the fleeing Midianites but also from his own countrymen in Succoth and Penuel who refuse aid, highlighting the tribal disunity prevalent in the Judges period. This verse (8:10) pinpoints the enemy's location and their severely diminished state, setting the stage for Gideon's final confrontation and capture of the Midianite kings, thereby completing Israel's deliverance from two decades of Midianite oppression. It showcases Gideon's unwavering determination to finish what God started, bringing total defeat to the oppressors.

Judges 8 10 Word analysis

• Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor: These are the names of the two Midianite kings, the chief architects of the oppression of Israel (Jdg 8:5). Their survival at this point, albeit with reduced forces, underscores Gideon’s perseverance in eliminating the leadership to ensure complete victory and lasting peace. Karkor (קַרְקֹר - Qarqor) is a location of uncertain identification, likely a remote area in the Transjordan region, suggesting the extent of Gideon's chase deep into enemy territory.
• with their army, about fifteen thousand men, Hebrew tzava (צָבָא) means 'host' or 'army'. This number starkly contrasts with their original strength, highlighting the devastating effect of God's earlier judgment. It signifies the severely depleted remnant of the Midianite-Amalekite coalition.
• all who were left of all the army of the people of the East; This phrase emphasizes the scale of the preceding defeat. "People of the East" refers to the allied nomadic tribes, primarily Midianites and Amalekites (Jdg 6:3), who had overwhelmed Israel for seven years. The phrase confirms that almost all of their vast forces had been destroyed.
• for there had fallen one hundred and twenty thousand men who drew the sword. This precise and significant number details the colossal casualties inflicted upon the enemy. "Who drew the sword" (שֹׁלֵף חֶרֶב - sholeph cherev) explicitly means armed, fighting men—not just total population. This figure dramatically illustrates the magnitude of God's hand in Israel's deliverance and the decisive, almost complete, obliteration of the Midianite military power, reducing an overwhelming invasion force to a mere fraction.

Judges 8 10 Bonus section

The exact numbers given in the Old Testament, particularly large military figures, can sometimes serve to illustrate the scale and miraculous nature of God's work rather than being strict headcounts for modern statistical analysis. In Judges 8:10, the sheer disproportion between the original 135,000 (120,000 fallen + 15,000 remaining) and Gideon's 300 men dramatically emphasizes the supernatural aspect of the victory. The fact that the surviving Midianites and their kings still felt threatened enough to flee deep into Karkor despite outnumbering Gideon's small band by 50-to-1 further speaks to the psychological terror instilled by the divine intervention. Their encampment in Karkor, a possibly desolate or remote location, illustrates their ongoing vulnerability and fear, waiting for a presumed pursuit, which Gideon, fueled by divine zeal, delivers.

Judges 8 10 Commentary

Judges 8:10 provides a stark numerical summary of God's astonishing triumph over Israel's oppressors. It reveals the divine magnitude of the victory achieved through Gideon, highlighting that 120,000 experienced Midianite warriors were felled in the initial, divinely-engineered rout. The mere 15,000 survivors underscore the decimation of the enemy force, once countless like locusts. This verse showcases the immense power of the Lord in delivering His people, demonstrating that no human army, no matter how vast or formidable, can stand against His will. It validates God's promise to Gideon and serves as a powerful testament to His faithfulness and righteous judgment against those who oppress His chosen nation. Furthermore, it reinforces Gideon’s resolve to continue the difficult pursuit, knowing that the enemy, though severely wounded, was not entirely subdued until their kings were captured and executed.

• Example 1: When faced with an overwhelming challenge (like the "120,000 men") that seems impossible to overcome, trust in God's ability to act on a grand scale, even if it feels like your "army" (resources/strength) is only 300.
• Example 2: After a significant spiritual victory, persevere in rooting out remaining "kings" or lingering sinful patterns in your life, knowing that complete freedom often requires continued effort.
• Example 3: When observing apparent successes of those who oppose God, remember that the Lord often orchestrates their ultimate defeat and reduction to a "remnant," ensuring His justice prevails.