Judges 8 15

Judges 8:15 kjv

And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid 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 8:15 nkjv

Then he came to the men of Succoth and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you ridiculed me, saying, 'Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men?' "

Judges 8:15 niv

Then Gideon came and said to the men of Sukkoth, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me by saying, 'Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your exhausted men?'?"

Judges 8:15 esv

And he came to the men of Succoth and said, "Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, 'Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are exhausted?'"

Judges 8:15 nlt

Gideon then returned to Succoth and said to the leaders, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. When we were here before, you taunted me, saying, 'Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your exhausted army.'"

Judges 8 verses

Judges 8 15 Meaning

Gideon returns to Succoth with the captured Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, whom he had previously pursued. He confronts the leaders of Succoth, holding them accountable for their prior refusal to provide food for his weary army and for their mocking taunt, which challenged his ability to apprehend the kings. This verse signifies the moment of Gideon's promised retribution and the vindication of his mission through the undeniable evidence of the captive kings.

Judges 8 15 Context

Judges 8:15 takes place after Gideon, with his weary but persistent army of 300, has defeated the vast Midianite and Amalekite forces and is pursuing their kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, across the Jordan. Earlier, in Judges 8:4-9, Gideon had requested provisions from the towns of Succoth and Penuel. Instead of supporting a fellow Israelite, especially one fighting God's battles against a common oppressor, the leaders of these towns contemptuously refused. Their response demonstrated a pragmatic fear of Midianite reprisal if Gideon failed, and a deep lack of faith in God's promised victory through him. They directly taunted Gideon, implying he had no hope of capturing such formidable kings. In verse 15, Gideon, having successfully captured the kings, returns to fulfill his earlier vow of retribution (Jdg 8:7) against Succoth for their lack of faith, solidarity, and egregious contempt shown to him and his men. This immediate fulfillment underscores Gideon's unwavering commitment and the inescapable consequences of defying God's appointed leader.

Judges 8 15 Word analysis

• So he came: From the Hebrew wa-yavo' (וַיָּבֹא), emphasizing Gideon's deliberate action and the immediate fulfillment of his prior promise of return and retribution (Judges 8:7). This arrival signifies the culmination of the chase and the commencement of the promised judgment.
• to the men of Succoth: Succoth (סֻכּוֹת) literally means "booths" or "shelters," a town in Transjordan. The "men of Succoth" refers to their elders or leaders, the public representatives who made the decision to deny aid. Their action represents a tribal or communal rejection of Gideon's divinely sanctioned war. Scholars note this incident highlights the fractured unity and self-preservation mindset prevalent among some Israelite tribes during the Judges period, contrasting with the solidarity God called for.
• and said: From wa-yomer (וַיֹּאמֶר), indicating a direct, unambiguous confrontation.
• "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna,": Hinneh Zevah v'Tzalmunna (הִנֵּה זֶבַח וְצַלְמֻנָּע). Hinneh ("Behold!" or "Look!") is a dramatic exclamation, drawing immediate attention to the captured kings. Presenting Zebah and Zalmunna, the feared Midianite leaders, served as irrefutable proof of Gideon's success and vindication against their earlier skepticism and scorn. This physical display publicly confirms the reversal of power dynamics and Gideon's authority.
• "about whom you taunted me,": From 'asher heraptem ot-i (אֲשֶׁר חֵרַפְתֶּם אֹתִי). Charaph (חָרַף) means to reproach, insult, scoff, or revile. This was not mere disagreement but a deep personal and public offense, questioning Gideon's integrity, divine mandate, and military capability. In the ancient Near East, such a public taunt or reproach, especially against a leader or divine representative, carried significant weight and often demanded a proportionate response to restore honor and justice.
• "saying, 'Do you have in your hand the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna, that we should give bread to your weary men?'": This recalls their exact words, highlighting their audacity. The phrase "the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna" refers to their power, authority, and ultimate destiny. Their question "Do you have in your hand...?" mocked Gideon's strength, insinuating his endeavor was futile, and directly linked their refusal of hospitality to this perceived impossibility. By adding "that we should give bread to your weary men," they conveyed contempt for Gideon's exhausted troops, signaling a lack of care and solidarity with God's people engaged in His battle. Their refusal wasn't simply an oversight but an act of open defiance and derision. The underlying polemic is against those who trust in visible power and dismiss God's work when it appears weak or unlikely, prioritizing self-preservation over faith and communal obligation.

Judges 8 15 Bonus section

• The immediate and specific recall of their exact taunt by Gideon underscores the personal nature of the affront and its gravity in ancient Israelite culture, where honor and respect were paramount, especially towards divinely appointed leaders.
• This incident, alongside the subsequent punishment of Succoth and Penuel (Jdg 8:16-17), establishes a clear precedent for accountability among the Israelite tribes: disunity and a lack of faith in God's work carried severe consequences, indicating that shared covenant obligations superseded local expediency or fear of enemies.
• The men of Succoth effectively placed themselves in opposition to God's redemptive work for Israel by withholding aid and disrespecting His appointed deliverer, illustrating a theme of spiritual blindness even among those within the covenant community.

Judges 8 15 Commentary

Judges 8:15 vividly demonstrates Gideon's determination to execute divine justice against those who refused to support God's work. The confrontation at Succoth serves as a powerful reminder that God upholds the mission of His chosen servants. The men of Succoth, driven by fear and pragmatic calculations, publicly ridiculed Gideon, equating his apparent weakness with his unworthiness of aid. This verse presents their stark comeuppance; Gideon does not engage in debate but simply displays the proof of God's power through his captured adversaries. It underscores the biblical principle that mocking God's anointed or His work, or neglecting basic aid to His weary servants, will not go unpunished. Their cynical skepticism and lack of solidarity are directly challenged by the undeniable evidence, serving as a warning against putting human skepticism or self-interest above faithful obedience and support for God's purposes.