Judges 8 2

Judges 8:2 kjv

And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

Judges 8:2 nkjv

So he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

Judges 8:2 niv

But he answered them, "What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?

Judges 8:2 esv

And he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?

Judges 8:2 nlt

But Gideon replied, "What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't even the leftover grapes of Ephraim's harvest better than the entire crop of my little clan of Abiezer?

Judges 8 verses

Judges 8 2 Meaning

Gideon, after his significant victory against Midian, addresses the angered tribe of Ephraim with masterful humility and diplomacy. He defuses their aggressive pride by rhetorically asking how his recent actions compare to theirs. He then provides an analogy: the "gleaning" of Ephraim (their lesser, yet critical, capture of the Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb) is declared superior to the "vintage" of his own clan, Abiezer (his more extensive campaign against the Midianite kings Zeba and Zalmunna). This profound statement elevates their contribution, satisfies their sense of honor, and averts potential civil strife, demonstrating spiritual wisdom and a heart focused on unity.

Judges 8 2 Context

Judges 8:2 follows Gideon's initial success against the Midianites, highlighted in Judges 7. With only 300 men, Gideon defeats the vast Midianite army through God's miraculous intervention. However, as he pursues the Midianite kings Zeba and Zalmunna, the men of Ephraim intercept him, expressing fierce indignation. Their complaint stems from perceived insult and tribal pride: they were not summoned at the beginning of the major battle (Jdg 8:1). This was a critical moment for inter-tribal relations, as similar disputes in Judges had led to severe conflict (cf. Judges 12 involving Jephthah and Ephraim). Gideon’s response in verse 2 is a crucial diplomatic maneuver designed to pacify their anger, acknowledge their vital role in capturing the Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb, and prevent internal strife that could derail the divine victory. Historically, tribal loyalty and honor were paramount in ancient Israel, and any perceived slight could quickly escalate into bloodshed. Gideon navigates this complex social landscape with divinely inspired wisdom.

Judges 8 2 Word analysis

• And he said to them: Signifies a direct address by Gideon, responding to the aggressive questioning of the Ephraimites. His immediate and direct engagement is key to de-escalation.
• What have I done now: (Hebrew: מָה עָשִׂיתִי עַתָּה - mah asiti attah). A rhetorical question, not born of ignorance, but aimed at humble self-deprecation. Gideon is intentionally minimizing his own achievements to disarm the accusatory tone of Ephraim. It expresses feigned inadequacy compared to his interlocutors.
• in comparison with you? (Hebrew: כָּכֶם - kakhêm, "like you"). Direct acknowledgment of Ephraim's stature and significance. This phrasing flatters them and validates their pride, preparing them for the central metaphor.
• Is not: (Hebrew: הֲלוֹא - halo). A common rhetorical particle expecting an affirmative answer ("surely"). It frames the subsequent statement as an undeniable truth, gently guiding the Ephraimites to agree with his premise.
• the gleaning (Hebrew: עֹלְלֹת - 'olelot): Literally, "berries," "gleanings" – the small clusters of grapes left after the main vintage harvest. In the context of biblical law (Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19), gleanings were typically considered the scraps left for the poor and marginalized. Gideon here cleverly elevates these "scraps" metaphorically, portraying Ephraim's crucial ambush of Oreb and Zeeb as invaluable. This signifies seemingly small, secondary contributions.
• of Ephraim: Directly attributing the 'gleaning' to the dominant and proud tribe of Ephraim, thus directly honoring them and their recent significant capture of the Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb.
• better than (Hebrew: טוֹב - tov): Meaning "good," but in comparative context, "better" or "superior." This word delivers the core rhetorical impact, directly stating that Ephraim's "smaller" act surpassed Gideon's larger campaign in value.
• the vintage (Hebrew: בָּצִיר - batsir): The full, main grape harvest – representing the extensive, significant effort. Metaphorically, this refers to Gideon's greater battles against the main Midianite army and their kings. It symbolizes a seemingly larger, more substantial contribution.
• of Abiezer? (Hebrew: אֲבִיעֶזֶר - 'Aviezer): Gideon's own clan within the tribe of Manasseh (Jdg 6:11). By linking his larger campaign to his humble clan and not his personal name, he further minimizes himself, making his compliment to Ephraim more palatable. This subtle detail demonstrates deep self-effacement.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "What have I done now in comparison with you?": This phrase immediately establishes Gideon's humility and deflects blame. It sets the tone for a non-confrontational response, opening the door for reconciliation rather than conflict. It demonstrates astute psychological understanding of pride and grievance.
• "Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?": This is the core rhetorical question and diplomatic masterpiece. Gideon reverses conventional valuation, declaring the small (Ephraim's "gleaning") greater than the large (his "vintage"). This acknowledges Ephraim's crucial ambush and capture of Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb, giving them significant credit for sealing the victory, thus validating their pride and preventing escalation. The analogy re-frames perceived "lesser" involvement as paramount importance.

Judges 8 2 Bonus section

The concept of "gleaning" in this verse is a deliberate subversion of its typical biblical meaning. Traditionally, gleaning refers to the small, leftover parts of a harvest, accessible only to the poor or the vulnerable (Lev 19:9-10). Gideon takes this term, representing insignificance or scarcity, and re-applies it to Ephraim's contribution, elevating it as superior. This paradoxical twist profoundly respects Ephraim's anger by validating their actions with exaggerated praise. The wisdom displayed by Gideon here is particularly noteworthy when contrasted with Jephthah's later disastrous encounter with the very same Ephraimite pride in Judges 12, which led to civil war and immense loss of life. Gideon's approach demonstrates the vital importance of de-escalation through honor and strategic humility within God's people.

Judges 8 2 Commentary

Judges 8:2 showcases Gideon's extraordinary wisdom, humility, and spiritual insight. Faced with the volatile pride of the tribe of Ephraim, whose perceived slight could have easily led to destructive internal conflict, Gideon responds with an artful rhetorical question that both disarms and flatters them. He deliberately minimizes his own significant victories ("the vintage of Abiezer," his clan) and elevates their contribution in capturing Oreb and Zeeb ("the gleaning of Ephraim") as far more important. This masterstroke transforms Ephraim's rage into satisfied honor, averting bloodshed. This verse provides a powerful lesson in conflict resolution, leadership, and humility, demonstrating that true strength often lies not in self-assertion but in honoring others and prioritizing unity, even at the perceived expense of one's own glory. It's a leadership model built on the spirit of peace, illustrating how a "soft answer turns away wrath," as seen in Proverbs.