Judges 8 14

Judges 8:14 kjv

And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.

Judges 8:14 nkjv

And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth and interrogated him; and he wrote down for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, seventy-seven men.

Judges 8:14 niv

He caught a young man of Sukkoth and questioned him, and the young man wrote down for him the names of the seventy-seven officials of Sukkoth, the elders of the town.

Judges 8:14 esv

And he captured a young man of Succoth and questioned him. And he wrote down for him the officials and elders of Succoth, seventy-seven men.

Judges 8:14 nlt

There he captured a young man from Succoth and demanded that he write down the names of all the seventy-seven officials and elders in the town.

Judges 8 verses

Judges 8 14 Meaning

Judges 8:14 describes a pivotal moment in Gideon's pursuit of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. Having previously sought assistance from the Israelite towns of Succoth and Penuel, and being scorned for his apparent weakness, Gideon is now returning victorious. This verse specifically details his initiation of promised retribution against Succoth. He apprehended a young man from the town, forcefully interrogated him, and successfully compelled him to identify by name the seventy-seven principal leaders and elders of Succoth. This intelligence gathering was a crucial step for Gideon to exact justice against those who had refused to support God's chosen deliverer and his army during a time of war against a common enemy, showing a grave lack of loyalty and faith.

Judges 8 14 Context

Judges chapter 8 concludes Gideon's campaign against Midian, focusing on his pursuit and capture of their kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, across the Jordan. Earlier, in Judges 8:5-9, Gideon, pursuing the kings, had requested provisions from the Israelite towns of Succoth and Penuel. Both cities, cynical of his success and likely fearing Midianite retribution if they helped Gideon, scornfully refused him, asking, "Are Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?" Gideon, enraged by this disloyalty from fellow Israelites during a divinely sanctioned war, vowed swift retribution upon his victorious return. Verse 14 is the immediate fulfillment of that vow against Succoth. Gideon's actions underscore the tribal disunity and selfish priorities prevalent during the period of the Judges, where common cause and support for God's deliverer were often lacking, leading to internal conflict and judgment within Israel itself. The targeting of the seventy-seven leaders signifies a direct accountability for the communal decision.

Word Analysis

• And he captured (וַיִּתְפֹּשׂ, vayyitpos): This verb means to seize, lay hold of, or apprehend. It conveys a sense of forceful detention rather than a voluntary encounter. Gideon is not merely asking politely but exerting his authority as victor.
• a young man (נַעַר, na'ar): While often translated as "boy," na'ar can refer to a youth, servant, or even a young adult. This individual was likely old enough to know the community's leadership structure, suggesting a capable and perhaps even official role.
• of Succoth (סֻכּוֹת, sukkōṯ): Succoth was an Israelite city east of the Jordan River. Their refusal to provide aid to Gideon's army was an act of disloyalty against a fellow tribe and, by extension, against the God who had called Gideon to deliver Israel.
• and questioned him (וַיִּשְׁאֲלֵהוּ, vayyiš'ălehû): Derived from the Hebrew root sha'al, meaning "to ask" or "to inquire." In this context, given the preceding "captured," it implies a compelled interrogation, not a friendly chat, designed to extract crucial information.
• And he wrote down for him (וַיִּכְתֹּב ל֗וֹ, vayyiktōv lô): This signifies a meticulous and formal recording of information. Gideon is acting with deliberation, documenting the specifics for later use, demonstrating a systematic approach to justice or retribution.
• the names (שֵׁמוֹת, šêmōṯ): Identity is paramount. Listing names signifies individual accountability and avoids indiscriminate punishment. It's a precise measure for targeting those directly responsible.
• of the leaders (שָׂרִים, śarîm): These were chief men, officials, or commanders. They held positions of authority, perhaps civil or military, responsible for the city's governance and decision-making.
• and elders (וּזְקֵנִים, u·zəqenîm): These were older, venerable men, representing the established wisdom and influence within the community. In ancient Israel, elders served as local judges, counselors, and community representatives. Their combined leadership (leaders and elders) signifies the full governing body of Succoth.
• of Succoth (סֻכּוֹת, sukkōṯ): Reinforces that this list pertained to the town whose leaders had denied aid.
• seventy-seven men (שִׁבְעִים וְשִׁבְעָה אִישׁ, šiv'îm wəšiv'â 'îš): A specific and significant number. In the Bible, numbers like 70 often represent a complete or comprehensive body (e.g., 70 elders with Moses in Num 11). 77 could denote an entire council, emphasizing that the punishment would fall on all key figures involved in the town's treacherous decision, reflecting the totality of the collective guilt of their leadership.

Judges 8 14 Bonus section

The numerical precision of "seventy-seven men" underscores the administrative and formal aspect of Gideon's impending judgment. It was not a random act of violence, but a specific reckoning with the identified heads of the community. While the New Testament often emphasizes grace and forgiveness, the Old Testament provides numerous examples where divine justice includes temporal, often harsh, consequences for unrighteousness, especially regarding acts of treachery against God's people or His appointed leaders. This verse sets the stage for a judicial process (from Gideon's perspective) to enforce loyalty and unity within Israel during a period of fragmented leadership and widespread "doing what was right in one's own eyes."

Judges 8 14 Commentary

Judges 8:14 reveals Gideon's unwavering determination to exact accountability. The previous insult from Succoth was a profound affront to him and to the Lord's work. By capturing a young man and precisely listing the names of seventy-seven key leaders, Gideon establishes a clear target for his retribution. This meticulous gathering of intelligence highlights Gideon's practical cunning as a military leader, but also the severity with which acts of disloyalty and faithlessness were met in this era. It wasn't about indiscriminate vengeance, but a calculated form of justice against specific individuals who bore the communal responsibility for denying aid to God’s chosen deliverer. It demonstrates the direct consequences of selfish regionalism and a failure to support God's wider purpose in Israel.