Judges 8 29

Judges 8:29 kjv

And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.

Judges 8:29 nkjv

Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.

Judges 8:29 niv

Jerub-Baal son of Joash went back home to live.

Judges 8:29 esv

Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house.

Judges 8:29 nlt

Then Gideon son of Joash returned home.

Judges 8 verses

Judges 8 29 Meaning

Judges 8:29 describes Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, returning to and dwelling in his personal residence. This signifies the end of his active public and military role as a judge for Israel after his victory over the Midianites and his subsequent acts of justice and refusal of kingship. It marks a transition from a period of intense public service and conflict to a state of settled, private life and domestic peace for the judge himself, mirroring the rest the land experienced.

Judges 8 29 Context

Judges chapter 8 immediately follows Gideon's decisive military victory over the Midianites. He has completed his task of delivering Israel, decisively executing the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna (vv. 4-21), and dealing with the rebellious cities of Succoth and Penuel (vv. 4-17). Most critically, prior to verse 29, the people of Israel offered Gideon kingship (vv. 22-23), which he explicitly refused, stating, "I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you." Following this significant theological declaration, Gideon's actions regarding the gold spoils leading to the creation of an ephod are described (vv. 24-27). This ephod later became a snare, leading to idolatry for all Israel, despite Gideon's intentions. The preceding verse (v. 28) then concludes by stating that "the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon." Therefore, Judges 8:29 serves as a personal conclusion to Gideon's public life and period of judgment, marking his withdrawal from active leadership into a domestic setting.

Judges 8 29 Word analysis

• Then (וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב - wa-yā-šōḇ): The Hebrew connective "then" or "and" introduces the next sequential action after the land had rest for forty years. It indicates the completion of a major phase and the beginning of Gideon's settled, private life. It implies a direct result or natural progression from the events.

• Jerubbaal (יְרֻבַּ֫עַל - Yerubba‘al): This name means "Let Baal contend" or "Baal strives." It was given to Gideon after he destroyed his father's altar to Baal (Jdg 6:32). The use of this specific name here, rather than Gideon, might serve as a literary reminder of his initial zeal against idolatry, a poignant contrast to the eventual idolatry facilitated by his ephod (Jdg 8:27), though the text doesn't explicitly link this contrast. It represents his defining, early act as a deliverer, distinguishing him as the one who defied Baal.

• the son of Joash (בֶּן־יוֹאָ֖שׁ - ben-Yo’ash): This phrase grounds Gideon within his family and lineage. Joash, Gideon's father, played a significant role in protecting Gideon from the people who wanted to kill him for destroying the altar (Jdg 6:29-31), thus further cementing Gideon's identity rooted in his paternal home. It reinforces his identity as a family man, not a permanent royal figure.

• went and dwelt (וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב - wayyēleḵ wayyēšēḇ): This phrase describes two sequential actions: "he went" and "he sat" or "he dwelt." "Went" signifies a physical relocation, leaving the battlefield and public arena. "Dwelt" implies a settling down, a ceasing of nomadic or military life, and the adoption of a static residence. Together, they depict a return to civilian life and domestic tranquility. It signals a withdrawal from his role as commander and judge.

• in his own house (בְּבֵית֖וֹ - bəḇêṯō): "His own house" emphasizes ownership, personal space, and the private sphere. It signifies a definitive retreat from the public eye and military affairs. Unlike a king who would establish a capital or palace, Gideon returned to his family home, consistent with his refusal of monarchy. This choice emphasizes his non-royal status and reinforces the idea of Israel's temporary leadership by judges rather than hereditary kings.

• Words-group Analysis (Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house): This phrase marks a significant transition from Gideon's extraordinary public career to a private, domestic existence. It emphasizes that despite his monumental achievements and the offer of a lasting dynasty, Gideon returned to being a common Israelite living in his family home. The specific naming of "Jerubbaal, the son of Joash" rather than simply "Gideon" in this context reminds the reader of his origins and the definitive acts of faith that characterized his rise, providing a full circle back to his established personal identity outside the deliverer role. The acts of "going and dwelling in his own house" highlight his contentment with his private sphere and rejection of continuous, inherited public power, contrasting the desire for personal gain or permanent rule seen in later leaders. This phrase therefore symbolizes both a period of national rest and Gideon's personal conclusion to his divine commission.

Judges 8 29 Bonus section

• The understated manner of Gideon's exit contrasts with the monumental nature of his accomplishments. This humility is characteristic of many true leaders whom God uses for specific purposes, often stepping back once their task is done, not seeking to build a lasting earthly dynasty for themselves.
• Despite Gideon's impressive victory and seemingly righteous refusal of kingship, the spiritual state of Israel would soon regress. His personal settling back into his house highlights that even a mighty deliverer could not prevent future apostasy, emphasizing that genuine peace and stability depended on Israel's ongoing faithfulness to God, not solely on human leadership.
• This verse represents a pivotal point, transitioning from the dynamic, active phases of Gideon's judgeship to a more quiescent, and ultimately problematic, end to his influence, paving the way for the narratives concerning his seventy sons and the turbulent rise of Abimelech in the next chapter.

Judges 8 29 Commentary

Judges 8:29 serves as a concise, yet profound, statement marking the end of Gideon's active service to Israel. After leading a significant deliverance, engaging in challenging military pursuits, and refusing the crown, Gideon simply "went and dwelt in his own house." This act underscores the temporary and divinely appointed nature of the judges' leadership; unlike kings, they did not establish dynastic rules or permanent governmental seats, but rather returned to their previous lives after fulfilling their commission. It conveys a sense of completion and rest, both for Gideon personally and, by implication, for the land, which had experienced forty years of peace under his tenure. However, while seemingly a peaceful conclusion, the broader narrative of Judges often implies that periods of rest were fragile, and the spiritual well-being of the nation remained precarious, particularly exemplified by the troubling consequences of Gideon's ephod and the subsequent tragic reign of his son, Abimelech. Gideon's return home therefore signifies an apparent fulfillment of his immediate mission but also subtly points to the persistent spiritual challenges faced by Israel in their unguided walk.