Introduction
Overview
Judges 8 . 1 , Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites; Judges 8 . 4 , Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon’s army; Judges 8 . 10 , Zebah and Zalmunna are taken; Judges 8 . 13 , Succoth and Penuel are destroyed; Judges 8 . 17 , Gideon revenges his brethren’s death on Zebah and Zalmunna; Judges 8 . 22 , He refuses government; Judges 8 . 24 , His ephod the cause of idolatry; Judges 8 . 28 , Midian subdued; Judges 8 . 29 , Gideon’s children , and death; Judges 8 . 33 , The Israelites’ idolatry and ingratitude.
the men . Judges 12 . 1-6 , 2 Samuel 19 . 41 , Job 5 . 2 , Ecclesiastes 4 . 4 , James 4 . 5 , James 4 . 6
Why . etc. Heb. What thing is this thou hast done unto us , sharply. Heb. strongly.
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 24 . 14 . a flea 2 Samuel 19 . 43 . the words Proverbs 13 . 10 . with Proverbs 15 . 1 . soft Proverbs 15 . 18 . he Proverbs 17 . 14 . leave
What . 1 Corinthians 13 . 4-7 , Galatians 5 . 14 , Galatians 5 . 15 , Philippians 2 . 2 , Philippians 2 . 3 , James 1 . 19 , James 1 . 20 , James 3 . 13-18
Is not the . That is , the Ephraimites have performed more important services than Gideon and his men had achieved.
Abiezer . Judges 6 . 11 , Judges 6 . 34
Reciprocal . Leviticus 19 . 10 . glean Numbers 26 . 30 . Jeezer Joshua 17 . 2 . the children 1 Chronicles 7 . 18 . General Isaiah 17 . 6 . General
God . Judges 7 . 24 , Judges 7 . 25 , Psalm 44 . 3 , Psalm 115 . 1 , Psalm 118 . 14-16 , John 4 . 37 , Romans 12 . 3 , Romans 12 . 6 , Romans 15 . 18 , Romans 15 . 19 , Philippians 2 . 3
Then . Proverbs 15 . 1 , Proverbs 16 . 32 , Proverbs 25 . 11 , Proverbs 25 . 15
anger . Heb. spirit
Reciprocal . Joshua 22 . 30 . it pleased them Zechariah 6 . 8 . quieted
faint . 1 Samuel 14 . 28 , 1 Samuel 14 . 29 , 1 Samuel 14 . 31 , 1 Samuel 14 . 32 , 1 Samuel 30 . 10 , 2 Corinthians 4 . 8 , 2 Corinthians 4 . 9 , 2 Corinthians 4 . 16 , Galatians 6 . 9 , Hebrews 12 . 1-4
Reciprocal . Genesis 25 . 29 . and he Judges 7 . 25 . on the other side Judges 9 . 17 . fought Judges 15 . 18 . he was sore 2 Samuel 16 . 2 . that such 2 Samuel 17 . 29 . The people Isaiah 21 . 14 . brought Mark 8 . 3 . General Hebrews 11 . 34 . out of
Succoth . Genesis 33 . 17 , Psalm 60 . 6
loaves . Genesis 14 . 18 , Deuteronomy 23 . 4 , 1 Samuel 25 . 18 , 2 Samuel 17 . 28 , 2 Samuel 17 . 29 , 3 John 1 . 6-8
Reciprocal . Genesis 25 . 29 . and he Genesis 47 . 15 . Give us bread Exodus 11 . 8 . follow thee Joshua 13 . 27 . Succoth 1 Samuel 30 . 10 . so faint 2 Samuel 16 . 2 . that such Psalm 108 . 7 . the valley Proverbs 26 . 3 . General
Judges 5 . 23 , Genesis 25 . 13 , Genesis 37 . 25 , Genesis 37 . 28 , 1 Samuel 25 . 10 , 1 Samuel 25 . 11 , 1 Kings 20 . 11 , 2 Kings 14 . 9 , Proverbs 18 . 23 , Philippians 2 . 21
Reciprocal . Joshua 13 . 27 . Succoth Judges 8 . 15 . upbraid 1 Chronicles 20 . 3 . with saws Psalm 108 . 7 . the valley
tear . Heb. thresh , Judges 8 . 16
Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 15 . upbraid 1 Chronicles 20 . 3 . with saws
Genesis 32 . 30 , Genesis 32 . 31 , 1 Kings 12 . 25
Reciprocal . Genesis 33 . 17 . Succoth Genesis 47 . 15 . Give us bread
I come . 1 Kings 22 . 27 , 1 Kings 22 . 28
I will break . Judges 8 . 17
Karkor . If this were the name of a place , it is no where else mentioned. Some contend that karkor signifies rest; and the Vulgate renders it requiescebant , "rested". This seems the most likely; for it is said . Judges 8 . 11 that Gideon "smote the host . for the host was secure."
children . Judges 7 . 12
fell an hundred . etc. or , an hundred and twenty thousand every one drawing a sword , Judges 7 . 22 , Judges 20 . 2 , Judges 20 . 15 , Judges 20 . 17 , Judges 20 . 25 , Judges 20 . 35 , Judges 20 . 46 , 2 Kings 3 . 26 , 2 Chronicles 13 . 17 , 2 Chronicles 28 . 6 , 2 Chronicles 28 . 8 , Isaiah 37 . 36
Reciprocal . Genesis 29 . 1 . came Judges 6 . 3 . children Judges 6 . 5 . as grasshoppers Judges 6 . 33 . children Job 1 . 3 . men Isaiah 9 . 4 . as in the day Ezekiel 25 . 4 . men
Nobah . Nobah took its name from an Israelite who conquered it; and is said by Eusebius to have been , in his time , a forsaken place eight miles south from Heshbon. Jogbehah was probably near it. Numbers 32 . 35 , Numbers 32 . 42
secure . Judges 18 . 27 , 1 Samuel 15 . 32 , 1 Samuel 30 . 16 , 1 Thessalonians 5 . 3
Reciprocal . Judges 6 . 33 . children Judges 8 . 10 . Karkor 1 Chronicles 2 . 23 . Kenath
took . Joshua 10 . 16-18 , Joshua 10 . 22-25 , Job 12 . 16-21 , Job 34 . 19 , Psalm 83 . 11 , Amos 2 . 14 , Revelation 6 . 15 , Revelation 6 . 16 , Revelation 19 . 19-21
discomfited . Heb. terrified
before . The words milmaaleh haichaires should , most probably be rendered "from the ascent of Chares;" which is the reading of the LXX Syriac , Arabic , and Houbigant. Judges 8 . 13
caught . Judges 1 . 24 , Judges 1 . 25 , 1 Samuel 30 . 11-15
described . Heb. writ
Reciprocal . Joshua 13 . 27 . Succoth
upbraid . Judges 8 . 6 , Judges 8 . 7
Reciprocal . Joshua 9 . 25 . we are 1 Samuel 30 . 21 . saluted them
the elders . Judges 8 . 7 , Proverbs 10 . 13 , Proverbs 19 . 29 , Ezra 2 . 6
thorns . Micah 7 . 4
taught . Heb. made to know , Instead of wyyoda , Houbigant , Lev. Clerc , and others read wyyadosh , "and he tore or threshed;" and this is not only agreeable to what Gideon threatened (Judges 8 . 7) , but is supported by the LXX Vulgate , Chaldee , Syriac , and Arabic. The Hebrew Text might easily have been corrupted simply by the change of ש , shin , into ע , ayin , letters very similar to each other.
Reciprocal . Genesis 33 . 17 . Succoth Exodus 3 . 20 . after that 1 Chronicles 20 . 3 . with saws
Judges 8 . 9 , 1 Kings 12 . 25
Reciprocal . Genesis 32 . 30 . Peniel 1 Chronicles 20 . 3 . with saws
Tabor . Judges 4 . 6 , Psalm 89 . 12
As thou art . Psalm 12 . 2 , Jude 1 . 16
resembled . Heb. according to the form of , etc
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 10 . 3 . Tabor 1 Samuel 16 . 6 . Surely 2 Kings 1 . 7 . What manner of man was he Isaiah 3 . 3 . the honourable man Ezekiel 23 . 15 . all of Daniel 1 . 4 . in whom James 1 . 24 . what
Reciprocal . Ruth 3 . 13 . the Lord liveth 1 Kings 1 . 29 . As the
Joshua 10 . 24 , 1 Samuel 15 . 33 , Psalm 149 . 9
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 1 . 15 . Go near 1 Kings 2 . 25 . he fell
Rise thou . It was disgraceful to fall by the hands of a child; and death by the blows of such a person must be much more lingering and tormenting. Some have employed children to dispatch captives. Judges 9 . 54 , 1 Samuel 31 . 3 , 1 Samuel 31 . 5 , Revelation 9 . 6
slew . Psalm 83 . 1
ornaments . or , ornaments like the moon , Isaiah 3 . 18
Reciprocal . Joshua 10 . 26 . Joshua Judges 6 . 5 . their camels Judges 8 . 26 . chains Judges 15 . 12 . fall 1 Kings 2 . 25 . he fell Jeremiah 49 . 29 . camels
Rule thou . Judges 9 . 8-15 , 1 Samuel 8 . 5 , 1 Samuel 12 . 12 , John 6 . 15
Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 33 . 5 . king 1 Samuel 8 . 1 . made his
I will . Judges 2 . 18 , Judges 10 . 18 , Judges 11 . 9-11 , Luke 22 . 24-27 , 2 Corinthians 1 . 24 , 1 Peter 5 . 3
the Lord . 1 Samuel 8 . 6 , 1 Samuel 8 . 7 , 1 Samuel 10 . 19 , 1 Samuel 12 . 12 , Isaiah 33 . 22 , Isaiah 63 . 19
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 8 . Reign 1 Samuel 8 . 1 . made his
give me . Genesis 24 . 22 , Genesis 24 . 53 , Exodus 12 . 35 , Exodus 32 . 3 , 1 Peter 3 . 3-5
because . Genesis 16 . 10 , Genesis 16 . 11 , Genesis 25 . 13 , Genesis 37 . 25 , Genesis 37 . 28 , 1 Samuel 25 . 11 , 1 Kings 20 . 11
Reciprocal . Genesis 35 . 4 . earrings Exodus 32 . 2 . General Deuteronomy 7 . 25 . snared 2 Chronicles 20 . 25 . precious jewels Ezekiel 16 . 11 . General
a thousand . Taking the shekel at half an ounce , the sum of the gold ear-rings was 73 lbs. 4 oz. and worth about ,300 sterling.
collars . or , sweet jewels
purple . Esther 8 . 15 , Jeremiah 10 . 9 , Ezekiel 27 . 7 , Luke 16 . 19 , John 19 . 2 , John 19 . 5 , Revelation 17 . 4 , Revelation 18 . 12 , Revelation 18 . 16
chains . Judges 8 . 21
Reciprocal . Psalm 73 . 6 . as a chain Jeremiah 49 . 29 . camels Daniel 3 . 1 . made
an ephod . Judges 17 . 5 , Judges 18 . 14 , Judges 18 . 17 , Exodus 28 . 6-12, 1 Samuel 23 . 9 , 1 Samuel 23 . 10 , Isaiah 8 . 20
Ophrah . Judges 8 . 32 , Judges 6 . 11 , Judges 6 . 24 , Deuteronomy 12 . 5
a whoring . Exodus 23 . 33 , Psalm 73 . 27 , Psalm 106 . 39 , Hosea 2 . 2 , Hosea 4 . 12-14
a snare . Judges 8 . 33 , Deuteronomy 7 . 16
Reciprocal . Exodus 34 . 12 . lest 1 Chronicles 5 . 25 . a whoring Daniel 3 . 1 . made Hosea 3 . 4 . ephod
was Midian . Psalm 83 . 9-12 , Isaiah 9 . 4 , Isaiah 10 . 26
forty years . Judges 3 . 11 , Judges 3 . 30 , Judges 5 . 31
Reciprocal . Joshua 14 . 15 . And the land Judges 11 . 26 . three hundred
Jerubbaal . Judges 6 . 32 , 1 Samuel 12 . 11
in his own house . Nehemiah 5 . 14 , Nehemiah 5 . 15
threescore . Judges 9 . 2 , Judges 9 . 5 , Judges 10 . 4 , Judges 12 . 9 , Judges 12 . 14 , Genesis 46 . 26 , Exodus 1 . 5 , 2 Kings 10 . 1
of his body begotten . Heb. going out of his thigh
many wives . Genesis 2 . 24 , Genesis 7 . 7 , Deuteronomy 17 . 17 , 2 Samuel 3 . 2-5 , 2 Samuel 5 . 13-16 , 1 Kings 11 . 3 , Malachi 2 . 15 , Matthew 19 . 5-8, Ephesians 5 . 31-33
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 1 . 2 . two 2 Chronicles 11 . 21 . eighteen wives 2 Chronicles 13 . 21 . begat
concubine . Judges 9 . 1-5 , Genesis 16 . 15 , Genesis 22 . 24
called . Heb. set
Abimelech . Judges 9 . 18 , Genesis 20 . 2
Reciprocal . 1 Kings 11 . 3 . seven hundred 2 Chronicles 13 . 21 . begat
died in . Genesis 15 . 15 , Genesis 25 . 8 , Joshua 24 . 29 , Joshua 24 . 30 , Job 5 . 26 , Job 42 . 17
Ophrah . Judges 8 . 27 , Judges 6 . 24
as soon . Judges 2 . 7-10 , Judges 2 . 17 , Judges 2 . 19 , Joshua 24 . 31 , 2 Kings 12 . 2 , 2 Chronicles 24 . 17 , 2 Chronicles 24 . 18
went . Judges 8 . 27 , Judges 2 . 17 , Exodus 34 . 15 , Exodus 34 . 16 , Jeremiah 3 . 9
Baalberith . Literally , "the lord of the covenant." Judges 9 . 4 , Judges 9 . 46
Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 5 . 25 . and went 2 Chronicles 17 . 3 . sought Jeremiah 23 . 27 . as
remembered . Psalm 78 . 11 , Psalm 78 . 42 , Psalm 106 . 18 , Psalm 106 . 21 , Ecclesiastes 12 . 1 , Jeremiah 2 . 32
Reciprocal . Jeremiah 23 . 27 . as
showed . Judges 9 . 5 , Judges 9 . 16-19 , Ecclesiastes 9 . 14 , Ecclesiastes 9 . 15
Jerubbaal . Rather , Jerubbaal Gideon; as we say , Simon Peter; or call a person by his Christian and surname. Gideon was a mighty man of valour , a true patriot , evidently disinterested and void of ambition. He loved his country , and hazarded his life for it; but refused the kingdom , when offered to him and his heirs. The act of making the ephod was totally wrong; yet , probably it was done with no reprehensible design.
Reciprocal . Genesis 25 . 2 . Midian Judges 9 . 18 . are risen 1 Samuel 12 . 11 . Jerubbaal 1 Kings 12 . 16 . So Israel 2 Chronicles 10 . 16 . So all Israel Hebrews 11 . 32 . Gedeon