Judges 8 5

Judges 8:5 kjv

And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

Judges 8:5 nkjv

Then he said to the men of Succoth, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian."

Judges 8:5 niv

He said to the men of Sukkoth, "Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian."

Judges 8:5 esv

So he said to the men of Succoth, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian."

Judges 8:5 nlt

When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, "Please give my warriors some food. They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian."

Judges 8 verses

Judges 8 5 Meaning

Judges 8:5 recounts Gideon's urgent plea to the leaders of Succoth for provisions—specifically bread—for his three hundred men. His troops were severely fatigued from the continuous pursuit of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, who had fled across the Jordan River. Gideon’s request highlights the physical toll of the chase and the necessity of sustenance to complete the divine mission of delivering Israel.

Judges 8 5 Context

Judges 8:5 is set at a crucial juncture in Gideon’s campaign against Midian. Following an astonishing victory where his small army of 300 men, empowered by God, routed a massive Midianite horde (Judges 7), Gideon had pursued the fleeing remnants of the Midianite army across the Jordan River. His immediate objective was to capture the two remaining Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, who posed a continuing threat and represented the last vestiges of Midianite oppression. The pursuit had been relentless and prolonged, covering a great distance through demanding terrain. The previous night's battle, the trumpet blasts, breaking of jars, shouting, and the ensuing chaos and chase, had left Gideon's men utterly exhausted. As a result, they were physically depleted and required immediate provisions to continue their mission. Gideon's request for "bread" (a term often encompassing general provisions) to Succoth, and subsequently Penuel, Israelite towns in Transjordan, was a standard and necessary plea for logistical support from fellow Israelites in the context of a war for national deliverance led by a divinely appointed judge. Their refusal was a grave breach of Israelite solidarity and hospitality.

Judges 8 5 Word analysis

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר): Simple past, indicates a direct communication. Here, Gideon speaks as the leader.
• to the men of Succoth (אֶל-אַנְשֵׁי סֻכּוֹת): "Men" (אַנְשֵׁי - an'shei) signifies the leading inhabitants or representatives of the town, not just any residents. Succoth (סֻכּוֹת) was an Israelite town in the Jordan valley (eastern bank), belonging to the tribe of Gad or possibly Manasseh (east). The fact that Gideon approaches an Israelite town highlights the expected fraternal support in a holy war.
• Please give (תְּנוּ נָא - tənu na'): "Give" is an imperative plural. The added "נָא" (na'), translated as "please" or "now," indicates a polite but urgent request or plea, not a forceful command. It underscores Gideon's dire need, asking for help, not demanding it by pure authority, though his authority was valid.
• bread (לֶחֶם - lechem): Literally "bread," but often used idiomatically in Hebrew to refer to food or provisions in general. It signifies basic sustenance. The urgency implied is that his men are so hungry they need even simple food to carry on.
• to the people who follow me (לָעָם אֲשֶׁר לְרַגְלַי - la'am asher le-raglai): Literally "the people who are at my feet," a Hebraism meaning those following closely behind or accompanying someone, implying a dependent relationship. It emphasizes their loyalty and their exhaustion from the sustained pursuit. They are not merely an army, but people devoted to the mission and leader.
• for they are exhausted (כִּי עֵפִים הֵם - ki 'efim hem): "For" (כִּי - ki) provides the reason. "Exhausted" (עֵפִים - 'efim), from the root עוף (ʿuf) "to fly, to faint, to be weary," vividly describes their state of extreme physical fatigue and faintness, likely from continuous marching, fighting, and lack of rest and food. This condition is critical for an army on a vital pursuit.
• and I am pursuing (וְאָנֹכִי רֹדֵף - ve'anochi rodef): "And I" (וְאָנֹכִי - ve'anochi) uses the emphatic first-person pronoun, stressing Gideon's personal involvement and unwavering commitment to the chase. "Pursuing" (רֹדֵף - rodef) denotes active, ongoing pursuit, highlighting that the mission is not yet complete.
• Zebah and Zalmunna (אֶת-זֶבַח וְאֶת-צַלְמֻנָּע - et Zevah ve'et Tzalmunna): These are the names of the two Midianite kings. "Zebah" (זֶבַח) means "sacrifice" or "victim," possibly indicating a defeated state or one destined for judgment. "Zalmunna" (צַלְמֻנָּע) might mean "shade denied" or "protection withheld," potentially hinting at their eventual lack of refuge or doom. Their capture would signify the decisive end of Midianite oppression.
• the kings of Midian (מַלְכֵי מִדְיָן - malkey Midyan): This clarifies the identity and importance of Zebah and Zalmunna. Despite the large army being scattered, the capture of these kings was essential for total victory and to prevent their re-assembly of forces or continued raiding. It underscored the high stakes of the pursuit.

Words-group analysis

• "And he said to the men of Succoth, 'Please give bread'": This phrase initiates a direct request from a weary but resolute leader to a community from his own nation. It conveys the cultural expectation of hospitality and mutual aid, particularly in the context of a military campaign for Israel's deliverance. The use of "please" (נָא) suggests a plea based on shared identity and need, rather than an arbitrary command, underscoring the severity of Succoth's subsequent refusal.
• "to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted": This group of words describes the dire physical state of Gideon's 300 men. "The people who follow me" speaks of their loyalty and commitment, having endured the battle and a long, taxing pursuit. Their "exhausted" state provides the compelling justification for the immediate need for sustenance, vital for continuing the pursuit of the enemy kings. It sets the scene for the moral failing of the towns later.
• "and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian": This phrase declares the ongoing, high-stakes nature of Gideon's mission. By specifying the Midianite kings, Gideon reminds the men of Succoth of the ultimate objective of the war—to completely rid Israel of its oppressors by eliminating their leadership. This emphasizes that providing bread is not a mere charitable act but a contribution to the success of a divinely ordained, national security mission. It contrasts the immediacy of their physical need with the strategic importance of the pursuit.

Judges 8 5 Bonus section

The historical context places Succoth (and Penuel) in Transjordan, east of the main tribal settlements in Canaan proper. While part of Israelite territory, these towns might have felt less immediately threatened by the Midianites, or perhaps were more pragmatic in their political allegiances, opting for neutrality or non-confrontation to avoid future Midianite reprisal if Gideon failed. Their failure of hospitality to a divinely commissioned army stands in stark contrast to God's continued faithfulness to Gideon. This passage implicitly teaches that disunity and a lack of support among God's people hinder His work, and can invite judgment, whereas acts of aid to God's servants further His kingdom and earn divine favor, even if unseen in the moment.

Judges 8 5 Commentary

Judges 8:5 captures a pivotal moment of strain and urgency in Gideon's extraordinary campaign against Midian. His request for bread from Succoth was not a minor inconvenience but a vital necessity for his exhausted men, who were engaged in the final, critical phase of total victory over Israel's oppressor kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. Gideon's choice of "bread" highlights the raw, fundamental need for basic sustenance to keep an army moving, especially after such strenuous effort. The plea to fellow Israelites underscores the expectation of communal solidarity and hospitality in ancient Near Eastern society, particularly when supporting God's appointed leader in a divinely sanctioned war. This verse sets the stage for the unfaithfulness and self-preservation of the Transjordan towns (Succoth and later Penuel), revealing a significant tribal and spiritual disunity among the Israelites. Their failure to support Gideon exposed a lack of faith in the Lord's deliverance and an unwillingness to partake in the burdens and risks of securing it. The refusal to provide provisions was a profound moral and national failure, which led to their later just retribution from Gideon. It reminds us of the spiritual battles believers face, the weariness that can accompany persistent service to God, and the need for mutual support within the community of faith to achieve divine purposes.