Judges 8:1

ยถ And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

And the men {H376} of Ephraim {H669} said {H559} unto him, Why hast thou {H4100} served {H6213} us thus {H1697}, that thou calledst {H7121} us not, when thou wentest {H1980} to fight {H3898} with the Midianites {H4080}? And they did chide {H7378} with him sharply {H2394}.

But the men of Efrayim complained to Gid'on, "Why didn't you call on us when you went to fight Midyan? Why did you treat us this way?" They were sharp in their criticism.

Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, โ€œWhy have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?โ€ And they contended with him violently.

And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with Midian? And they did chide with him sharply.

Commentary

Judges 8:1 KJV presents a surprising challenge to Gideon immediately following his miraculous victory over the Midianites. Instead of celebration, he faces sharp rebuke from the powerful tribe of Ephraim.

Context

This verse immediately follows Gideon's decisive and divinely-assisted triumph over the Midianite oppressors, detailed in Judges chapter 7. With only 300 men, Gideon routed a vast enemy army, relying on God's strategic instructions rather than overwhelming force. As the Midianites fled, Gideon had sent messengers to summon other tribes, including Ephraim, to cut off their escape routes (Judges 7:24). However, the men of Ephraim felt slighted, believing they should have been called at the very beginning of the campaign, thus sharing in the full glory of the initial battle.

Key Themes

  • Pride and Jealousy: The core of Ephraim's complaint is rooted in their wounded pride and jealousy. As a prominent tribe, they expected to be central to any major national effort and felt disrespected by Gideon's perceived oversight. Their "chiding sharply" reveals the depth of their indignation over not being part of the initial, more glorious phase of the battle.
  • Inter-tribal Tensions: This incident highlights the recurring issue of disunity and rivalry among the tribes of Israel during the period of the Judges. Such internal conflicts often hindered Israel's collective strength and obedience to God.
  • Leadership Challenges: Gideon, having just delivered Israel from a foreign enemy, now faces an internal threat from his own people. This verse sets the stage for Gideon's skillful diplomatic response in the verses that follow, demonstrating his wisdom beyond military prowess.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "did chide with him sharply" is significant. The Hebrew word for "chide" is riv (ืจึดื™ื‘), which often implies a contention, strife, or even a legal dispute. It conveys a strong accusation and a confrontational tone. The addition of "sharply" (literally, "with strength" or "fiercely") underscores the intensity of their anger and the severity of their accusation, indicating a serious challenge to Gideon's authority and judgment.

Practical Application

Judges 8:1 offers timeless lessons on human nature and leadership:

  • Dealing with Envy and Resentment: It serves as a reminder of how easily pride can lead to jealousy and resentment, even among those who should be allies. We are called to celebrate others' victories rather than envying their opportunities.
  • Navigating Criticism: Leaders, and indeed anyone in a position of influence, will inevitably face criticism, sometimes even from those they serve. The verse prompts reflection on how to respond to such challenges with wisdom and grace, as Gideon would demonstrate.
  • God's Unconventional Methods: God often works through unexpected means and people. Ephraim's focus on human glory obscured the divine hand in Gideon's victory, reminding us to keep our focus on God's sovereignty rather than human achievement or perceived slights.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 19:41

    And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?

  • Judges 12:1

    ยถ And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.

  • Judges 12:6

    Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce [it] right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.

  • James 4:5

    Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:4

    ยถ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Job 5:2

    For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.