Judges 8 32

Judges 8:32 kjv

And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Judges 8:32 nkjv

Now Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Judges 8:32 niv

Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Judges 8:32 esv

And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Judges 8:32 nlt

Gideon died when he was very old, and he was buried in the grave of his father, Joash, at Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer.

Judges 8 verses

Judges 8 32 Meaning

Judges 8:32 states the peaceful death and burial of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), signifying the conclusion of his life as a judge of Israel. He died in old age, a sign of God's blessing, and was laid to rest in the ancestral tomb of his father, Joash, in their tribal town of Ophrah, identifying him securely with his lineage and people. This verse brings closure to Gideon's narrative, marking the end of a significant era of deliverance and subsequent peace, while also subtly highlighting the human endpoint of a leader who brought both triumph and moral complexities.

Judges 8 32 Context

Judges chapter 8 concludes the narrative of Gideon, one of Israel's most prominent judges. Following his dramatic victory over the Midianites, Gideon experiences a shift from the peak of his divinely enabled military success to the complexities of leadership and personal failings. Chapter 8 describes his pursuit and punishment of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, the rejection of kingship by the Israelites (a key moment against developing monarchy), Gideon's contentious interaction with Succoth and Penuel, and finally his infamous making of an ephod, which became an object of idolatry for Israel. This specific verse (Judges 8:32) comes after these events, including the period of 40 years of peace under his rule (v. 28) and his fathering many sons (v. 30). It signals the end of Gideon's earthly life and provides a moment of concluding peace and continuity with his lineage before the tragic events of chapter 9, where Gideon's son Abimelech seeks kingship violently, leading to internal strife.

Judges 8 32 Word analysis

• And Gideon: Refers to גִּדְעוֹן (Gid'on), meaning "hewer" or "feller," indicative of his role in cutting down the altars of Baal and Midian. He is the specific human instrument God used for deliverance.
• the son of Joash: Explicitly ties Gideon to his father, Joash, reinforcing his lineage and familial identity within the tribe of Manasseh and the clan of Abiezer. Joash himself was notable for allowing Gideon to tear down the Baal altar and defending him (Judg 6:29-32).
• died: יָמֹת (yamot), a standard Hebrew verb for dying. This term is presented without unusual fanfare, simply stating the finality of life.
• in a good old age: בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֹבָה (besheva tovah). This phrase is highly significant. "שֵׂיבָה" (shevah) means "hoariness" or "old age," and "טוֹבָה" (tovah) means "good." It signifies a life that reached its full span, often interpreted as a divine blessing and a peaceful end after a life of contribution. This blessing was commonly given to patriarchs like Abraham and King David. It suggests that despite Gideon's flaws, he ultimately received God's favor in the duration and nature of his life's end. This contrasts with individuals who died prematurely or violently due to their wickedness or a divine curse.
• and was buried: וַיִּקָּבֵר (vayyiqqaver). A passive verb, indicating the community's action in laying him to rest. Proper burial was culturally important for honor and to signify entrance into ancestral rest.
• in the tomb of Joash his father: קֶבֶר יוֹאָשׁ אָבִיו (qever Yoash aviv). Burial within the family tomb or plot was a common and important practice, reinforcing familial ties and connection to the land and ancestors. It signified that Gideon, even in death, remained connected to his people and heritage, in contrast to those who might be denied burial or buried elsewhere in dishonor.
• in Ophrah of the Abiezrites: עָפְרָה אֲבִיעֶזְרִי (Ophrah ha-Abiezeri). Ophrah was Gideon's ancestral home (Judg 6:11), and "Abiezrites" denotes his clan within the tribe of Manasseh. This specific geographical and tribal detail grounds the account historically and underscores his continued identification with his tribal roots. It emphasizes his belonging to his family and clan even in his passing.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Gideon the son of Joash died": This concise opening clearly identifies the subject and the action. It's the straightforward culmination of his life story, framing it as a closed chapter in the biblical narrative.
• "in a good old age": This phrase functions as a significant theological statement. It marks the kind of death often reserved for righteous and blessed individuals in the Old Testament. It suggests that despite the problematic nature of some of Gideon's later actions (like the ephod), his life as a deliverer still found favor in God's eyes for its duration, culminating in a peaceful natural end.
• "and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites": This entire phrase stresses continuity, heritage, and identity even in death. Gideon returns to his origins, his family, and his tribal land. It provides specific, concrete details of his final resting place, which for the ancient Israelites, affirmed identity and connection to their ancestry and inheritance. It solidifies his historical position within Israel.

Judges 8 32 Bonus section

The seemingly straightforward report of Gideon's death, particularly the phrase "in a good old age," serves as a literary bridge. It contrasts with the subsequent chaotic events in Judges 9 where Abimelech, Gideon's son, usurps power and slaughters his brothers. Gideon's death in peace allows for this further unraveling of the Judges period's stability, highlighting that even a long-lived and initially divinely appointed leader could not permanently steer Israel from its self-inflicted spiritual and social decline. It's a poignant note of peace preceding great turmoil, marking a temporary lull in the otherwise cyclical nature of apostasy and judgment in the Book of Judges. While it portrays a blessed personal end for Gideon, it does not guarantee lasting national peace, which is contingent upon true covenant faithfulness.

Judges 8 32 Commentary

Judges 8:32 acts as an epitaph, a final word on Gideon's life story within the book of Judges. It’s concise but loaded with cultural and theological meaning. The most striking element is Gideon dying "in a good old age." This phrase, reserved for individuals who were seen to have lived full lives blessed by God, serves as a concluding affirmation, suggesting divine approval or at least a peaceful resolution despite his spiritual missteps, particularly with the ephod. It highlights the divine prerogative to bless life's span, even for flawed servants. His burial in the family tomb in Ophrah re-emphasizes his deep roots in his family and clan. It ensures his legacy is linked directly to his lineage and ancestral land, providing a strong sense of conclusion and connection. The forty years of peace attributed to Gideon's actions (Judg 8:28) culminated in a blessed, natural end, contrasting sharply with the recurring chaos and violence typical of the Judges period, and ironically, the subsequent family tragedy in Judges 9. It reminds the reader that even great figures like Gideon have a physical end, bringing the current period of Israel's history to a close before new challenges arise.