Thematic Bible

Themes in Judges 8

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Themes in Judges 8

Judges 8:1 (show verse)

Then the people of Ephraim said to Gideon: Why did you not call us when you went to fight the Midianites? Why did you treat us like this? They complained bitterly about it.

Anger » Instances of » Ephraimites, toward gideon, for not soliciting their help against the midianites
Ephraim » Tribe of
Ephraim » A tribe of israel » Rebuked gideon for not summoning them to join the war against the midianites
The tribe of Ephraim » Remonstrated with gideon for not calling them sooner against midian
Flattery » Instance of » By gideon
gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Tact
gideon » Reproaches the ephraimites for not joining in the campaign against the midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jealousy » Examples of human » The men of ephraim
Jealousy » Instances of » Ephraimites, of gideon
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Tact
Man » Jealousy of » The men of ephraim
Man's » Jealousy » The men of ephraim
Prudence » Exemplified » gideon
Tact » Of gideon
Tribe » Of ephraim

Judges 8:2 (show verse)

He said: What have I accomplished compared to you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?

Abiezer » Also called jeezer, progenitor of the abiezrites
Discretion » Leads to tactfulness
The tribe of Ephraim » Remonstrated with gideon for not calling them sooner against midian
Flattery » Instance of » By gideon
gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Tact
gideon » Reproaches the ephraimites for not joining in the campaign against the midianites
Gleaning » Figurative
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Tact
Meekness » Instances of » gideon
Prudence » Exemplified » gideon
Tact » Of gideon

Judges 8:3 (show verse)

God delivered the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, to you. What was I able to do in comparison to you? Then their anger toward him subsided at what he said.

The tribe of Ephraim » Remonstrated with gideon for not calling them sooner against midian
Flattery » Instance of » By gideon
gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Tact
gideon » Reproaches the ephraimites for not joining in the campaign against the midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Tact
Meekness » Instances of » gideon
Oreb » A prince of midian, overcome by gideon and killed by the ephraimites
Prudence » Exemplified » gideon
Tact » Of gideon
Zeeb » A prince of midian

Judges 8:4 (show verse)

Gideon and his three hundred men passed over the Jordan. Their pursuit continued.

gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jordan » Fords of
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel

Judges 8:5 (show verse)

He said to the men of Succoth: Give my troops some bread. They are tired. I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.

the Armies of israel » Mode of provisioning: » Contribution levied
gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Midianites » Governed by kings
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Succoth » A city » A city which was located probably east of the jordan river » People of, punished by gideon
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:6 (show verse)

The princes of Succoth said: Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?

gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Selfishness » Examples of » Cain's cold-blooded words concerning abel
Succoth » A city » A city which was located probably east of the jordan river » People of, punished by gideon
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:7 (show verse)

Gideon said: When Jehovah delivers Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.

gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Retaliation » Examples of
Retaliation » Instances of » Gideon on the princes of succoth
Succoth » A city » A city which was located probably east of the jordan river » People of, punished by gideon
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:8 (show verse)

He went up to Penuel and made the same request of them. The men of Penuel gave the same answer as the men of Succoth.

gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Penuel » Also called peniel » City built where jacob wrestled with the angel
Retaliation » Instances of » Penuel
Succoth » A city » A city which was located probably east of the jordan river » People of, punished by gideon
Tower » Of penuel
Travelers » Of distinction » Frequently extorted provisions by the way
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:9 (show verse)

He spoke to the men of Penuel: When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.

Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor. Their armies were with them, about fifteen thousand men all that were left of all the armies of the children of the east. They had already lost a hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen.

Armies » Called the » Hosts
gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Karkor » A city » A city in the territory of the tribe of gad
Midianites » Miraculously defeated and destroyed by gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:11 (show verse)

Gideon went up by the way of the nomads who lived in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah. They attacked the army while the camp felt secure.

gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jogbehah » A place in gad
Midianites » Miraculously defeated and destroyed by gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:12 (show verse)

When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued them and captured them and routed the entire army.

gideon » Leads an army against and defeats the midianites
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Midianites » Princes of, slain
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:13 (show verse)

Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun came up (at Heres Pass).

gideon » General references to
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » General references to
Joash » Father of gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Retaliation » Instances of » Gideon on the princes of succoth
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:14 (show verse)

He captured a young man from Succoth and questioned him. He described the princes of Succoth, and the elders and even seventy-seven men.

Courts » Advocates » Examination of prisoners
gideon » Avenges himself upon the people of succoth
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Retaliation » Instances of » Gideon on the princes of succoth
Succoth » A city » A city which was located probably east of the jordan river » People of, punished by gideon
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:15 (show verse)

Then Gideon went to the men of Sukkoth and said: Remember when you refused to help me? You said that you could not give any food to my exhausted army because I had not captured Zebah and Zalmunna yet. Well, here they are!

gideon » Avenges himself upon the people of succoth
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Retaliation » Instances of » Gideon on the princes of succoth
Succoth » A city » A city which was located probably east of the jordan river » People of, punished by gideon
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:16 (show verse)

Then he took the elders of the town and had them crushed on a bed of thorns and sharp stems.

Judges 8:17 (show verse)

He tore down the tower at Penuel. He also killed the men of that city.

gideon » Avenges himself upon the people of succoth
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Patriotism » Lacking in » The inhabitants of succoth and penuel
Penuel » Also called peniel » City built where jacob wrestled with the angel
Retaliation » Instances of » Penuel
Tower » Of penuel
Towers » Frequently thrown down in war
Towers » Mentioned in scripture » Penuel
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:18 (show verse)

Then Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna: What kind of men were the men you killed at Tabor? They answered: They looked like you, every one of them like the son of a king.

The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Mountains » Names of » Tabor
Retaliation » Instances of » The kings of midian
Tabor » A mountain on the border of the tribe of issachar
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:19 (show verse)

He said: They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As Jehovah lives, if you had saved them alive, I will not kill you.

The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Oaths » Expressions used as » As the lord liveth
Retaliation » Instances of » The kings of midian
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:20 (show verse)

He said to Jether his firstborn: Rise up and kill them. But the youth would not draw his sword. He was afraid because he was still a youth.

The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jether » Son of gideon, "was afraid" to kill the midianite kings
Retaliation » Instances of » The kings of midian
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:21 (show verse)

Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon: Kill us yourself. It takes a man to do this job. Gideon killed them and took the ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.

Camel » Ornaments of
Camels » Of the rich adorned with chains
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Midianites » Princes of, slain
Retaliation » Instances of » The kings of midian
Zalmunna » King of midian
Zebah » King of midian

Judges 8:22 (show verse)

The Israelites said to Gideon: Be our ruler, you and your descendants after you. You saved us from the Midianites.

gideon » General references to
gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Loyalty to God
gideon » Israel desires to make him king; he refuses
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » General references to
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Loyalty to God
Unselfishness » Instances of » gideon

Judges 8:23 (show verse)

Gideon answered: I will not be your ruler, nor will my son. Jehovah will be your ruler!

gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Loyalty to God
gideon » Israel desires to make him king; he refuses
Government » Of God » Over israel
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
Israel » Separation of » Theocracy of
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Loyalty to God
extraordinary Judges » The office of, not always for life, or hereditary
Sovereignty of God » Over israel
Theocracy » Over israel
Theocracy » Established
Unselfishness » Instances of » gideon

Judges 8:24 (show verse)

He also said: Let me ask one thing of you. Every one of you must give me the earrings you took. (The Midianites wore gold earrings.)

Adorning » Rich apparel » Earrings
gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Weakened by prosperity
gideon » Makes an ephod which becomes a snare to the israelites
Gold » Was used for » Earrings
Ishmaelites » Called midianites
The ishmaelites » Overcome by » gideon
The ishmaelites » Wore ornaments of gold
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Weakened by prosperity
Midianites » Called ishmaelites
Ornaments » Rich apparel » Earrings

Judges 8:25 (show verse)

They answered: We will gladly give them to you. They spread out a cloth, and everyone put the earrings that he had taken on it.

gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Weakened by prosperity
gideon » Makes an ephod which becomes a snare to the israelites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Weakened by prosperity
religious Work » Serving men » Willingness, an essential element in

Judges 8:26 (show verse)

The gold earrings that Gideon got weighed over forty pounds. This did not include the ornaments, necklaces, and purple clothes that the kings of Midian wore. It also did not include the collars that were around the necks of their camels.

Camel » Ornaments of
Camels » Of the rich adorned with chains
Chains » As ornaments on camels
Colors » Crimson, red, purple, and scarlet, symbols of various ideas » Of royalty
gideon » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Weakened by prosperity
gideon » Makes an ephod which becomes a snare to the israelites
Gold » Was used for » Earrings
Ishmaelites » Called midianites
Israel » Under the judges » Bondage » 7 years » Delivered » gideon
Jerubbaal » Called the mighty man of valour, characteristics of, » Weakened by prosperity
Shekel » Used to weigh silver

Judges 8:27 (show verse)

Gideon made an idol from the gold and placed it in his hometown, Ophrah. The Israelites abandoned God and went there to worship the idol. It was a trap for Gideon and his family.