Judges 8:3 kjv
God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
Judges 8:3 nkjv
God has delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do in comparison with you?" Then their anger toward him subsided when he said that.
Judges 8:3 niv
God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?" At this, their resentment against him subsided.
Judges 8:3 esv
God has given into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. What have I been able to do in comparison with you?" Then their anger against him subsided when he said this.
Judges 8:3 nlt
God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished compared to that?" When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon's answer, their anger subsided.
Judges 8 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Humility, counting others greater. |
| Rom 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Honoring others above oneself. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves with humility... | Humility before one another. |
| Prov 15:33 | The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. | Humility as a precursor to honor. |
| Prov 18:12 | Before destruction a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. | Pride leads to downfall, humility to honor. |
| Matt 23:12 | Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. | Principle of humility and exaltation. |
| Prov 15:1 | A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | Gideon's soft answer defused anger. |
| Prov 16:32 | Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. | Self-control and wisdom in conflict resolution. |
| Jas 3:17-18 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason... peace, yields a harvest. | Heavenly wisdom is peaceable and brings righteous fruit. |
| Matt 5:9 | "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." | The blessedness of peacemaking. |
| Rom 12:18 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | Pursuit of peace. |
| Eph 4:1-3 | ...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain... | Unity and peace within the body through humility and love. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be... | Plea for unity and avoidance of division. |
| Rom 15:5-7 | May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another... | Harmony and mutual acceptance in the community of faith. |
| Ps 133:1 | Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! | The goodness of unity among God's people. |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain... | Gideon's success was ultimately by God's grace, not his own might. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD of hosts. | God is the source of victory, minimizing human boastfulness. |
| Gal 5:26 | Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. | Warning against conceit and envy. |
| Prov 27:4 | Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? | The destructive nature of jealousy. |
| Jas 4:1-2 | What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not your passions... You desire and do not... | Conflict often stems from coveting and unresolved desires, like Ephraim's pride. |
| Prov 25:15 | With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. | The power of persuasive and gentle speech. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each. | Speech should be wise and gracious, especially in difficult situations. |
| Judges 12:1-6 | Ephraim's conflict with Jephthah for not including them in battle against Ammon, ending violently. | Shows a recurring pattern of Ephraimite pride and contentious behavior. |
Judges 8 verses
Judges 8 3 Meaning
Judges 8:3 captures Gideon's wise and diplomatic response to the powerful tribe of Ephraim, who were angry for not being included in the initial, climactic battle against Midian. Gideon humbly diminishes his own achievements and magnifies Ephraim's contributions, likening their "gleaning" (a small leftover harvest) to being greater than his own clan's entire "vintage" (the full, large harvest). This statement masterfully diffused tribal jealousy and averted potential civil war, emphasizing unity and peacemaking over personal or tribal pride.
Judges 8 3 Context
Judges chapter 8, verses 1-3, describes a tense moment immediately following Gideon's remarkable victory over the Midianites. The powerful tribe of Ephraim, having been called by Gideon and joining the battle late, were intensely angry. Their specific grievance was that Gideon had not invited them to participate from the very beginning, feeling their tribal honor was slighted despite their crucial role in cutting off the Midianite retreat and capturing their kings. Gideon's strategic and humble response in verse 3 averted what could have easily escalated into a destructive civil conflict between Israelite tribes, which had plagued them at other times (e.g., Jdg 12, 20). This historical period of the Judges was marked by cycles of sin, oppression, cries for deliverance, and the raising of deliverers, with recurring tribal jealousies and disunity complicating efforts towards national cohesion and obedience to God.
Judges 8 3 Word analysis
- Then he answered them: This highlights Gideon's deliberate and calculated response, not an emotional or retaliatory one. It shows a pause for thoughtful diplomacy.
- What have I done now in comparison with you?: The Hebrew word for "what" (מַה - mah) here indicates a rhetorical question, suggesting the insignificance of his actions relative to theirs. Gideon subtly minimizes his personal efforts. The phrase "in comparison with you" ('אֲנִי וַאֲתֶּם - 'ani wa'attem) underscores the contrast, elevating Ephraim's perceived status.
- Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?: This is the core metaphor and argument. It's a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer, designed to flatter.
- Gleaning (עוֹלֵלוֹת - 'olêlôth): This refers to the few scattered grapes or ears of grain left behind after the main harvest, considered the least valuable part. By calling Ephraim's late contribution "gleaning," Gideon ironically elevates it, suggesting that even their small, peripheral act was superior.
- Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם - 'Ephrayim): One of the largest and most prominent tribes of Israel, known for its numerical strength and, at times, its pride and domineering spirit (evident again in Jdg 12). Gideon's flattery here specifically targets their sense of tribal prestige.
- Better (טוֹב - tôḇ): Means "good," "superior," "excellent." Gideon explicitly declares Ephraim's small contribution as intrinsically superior.
- Vintage (בָּצִיר - bāṣîr): This signifies the main, substantial grape harvest—the most significant and abundant part of the agricultural yield. This represents Gideon's significant role in leading the battle.
- Abiezer (אֲבִיעֶזֶר - 'Ǎḇî'ezer): This is Gideon's own clan, part of the tribe of Manasseh. By contrasting Ephraim's "gleaning" with Abiezer's "vintage," Gideon not only humbles himself but also his entire lineage/clan, thereby diffusing the personal nature of Ephraim's envy.
- Word-Group Analysis:
- "What have I done now..." vs. "Is not the gleaning...": These two rhetorical questions work in tandem to create a persuasive argument. The first minimizes Gideon's personal accomplishments, while the second maximizes Ephraim's. This skillful wordplay shifts the focus from grievance to honor.
- "gleaning of Ephraim" vs. "vintage of Abiezer": This agricultural metaphor is incredibly potent in a pastoral society. It takes what is logically less (gleaning) and declares it better than what is logically more (vintage), through the power of humility and tact. It's an affirmation of Ephraim's residual glory over Gideon's active victory, aiming to pacify a deeply prideful tribe by granting them ultimate credit.
Judges 8 3 Bonus section
The repeated pattern of Ephraimite pride and contention is seen not only here but also later with Jephthah in Judges 12:1-6. In the latter instance, Jephthah lacked Gideon's diplomacy, leading to a bloody inter-tribal war. This contrast underscores the critical importance and divinely-inspired wisdom of Gideon's approach in Judges 8:3. Gideon’s action is also an example of leading with relational intelligence. He perceived the emotional core of the Ephraimites' complaint—not lack of action, but lack of recognition. His genius lay in addressing this emotional need, showing honor where they felt dishonored. This skillful maneuver not only avoided conflict but strengthened the overall unity and peace among the tribes at a crucial time. This humility displayed by Gideon stands in stark contrast to the common prideful boasting seen in other cultures, highlighting a key aspect of leadership often championed in the Scriptures.
Judges 8 3 Commentary
Judges 8:3 beautifully illustrates the power of wise, humble, and diplomatic speech in conflict resolution. Gideon, a military leader, chooses wisdom over force or defensiveness when confronted by the aggrieved Ephraimites. He understands that appeasing their wounded pride is paramount to preserving the fragile unity of Israel and preventing internal strife that could jeopardize their hard-won victory. His use of a flattering rhetorical question and a relatable agricultural metaphor effectively diminishes his own glory and elevates Ephraim's, even hyperbolically, to pacify them. This verse provides a timeless lesson that true leadership often involves self-effacement, valuing peace and communal harmony over personal credit or justification. It teaches the importance of acknowledging others' contributions, however late or minor, to build rapport and prevent unnecessary conflict within a group. Gideon's example foreshadows the New Testament call to "outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom 12:10) and "in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Phil 2:3).