Judges 8:10

Now Zebah and Zalmunna [were] in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand [men], all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

Now Zebah {H2078} and Zalmunna {H6759} were in Karkor {H7174}, and their hosts {H4264} with them, about fifteen {H2568}{H6240} thousand {H505} men, all that were left {H3498} of all the hosts {H4264} of the children {H1121} of the east {H6924}: for there fell {H5307} an hundred {H3967} and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} men {H376} that drew {H8025} sword {H2719}.

Now Zevach and Tzalmuna were in Karkor with their army, about 15,000 men, all that remained of the entire army of the people from the east; since 120,000 arms-bearing soldiers had fallen.

Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen.

Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the host of the children of the east; for there fell a hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

Commentary

Judges 8:10 describes the aftermath of Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianite and Amalekite forces, providing a numerical summary of the devastating defeat inflicted upon Israel's oppressors. This verse marks a crucial point in the pursuit of the two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, highlighting the overwhelming scale of God's deliverance.

Context

This verse is situated in the latter part of the narrative concerning Gideon's campaign against the Midianites. For seven years, the "children of the east" had severely oppressed Israel, plundering their land and livestock, leaving them impoverished (Judges 6:3-6). The initial Midianite army was described as an immense horde, "like grasshoppers for multitude" (Judges 7:12). Through a divinely orchestrated strategy, God famously reduced Gideon's fighting force from 32,000 to a mere 300 men (Judges 7:7). The previous chapters detail the initial rout of the Midianite camp, leading to the capture and eventual execution of their two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. Judges 8:10 specifies the location of the remaining enemy forces in Karkor and quantifies the scale of their earlier defeat.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Overwhelming Victory: The stark contrast between the initial 135,000-strong Midianite army (implied by 120,000 casualties and 15,000 survivors) and Gideon's 300 men powerfully illustrates God's ability to grant victory regardless of numerical odds. It underscores that the triumph was not by human strength but by divine intervention.
  • God's Judgment on Oppressors: The verse vividly portrays the severe consequences for those who oppress God's people. The immense loss of life among the Midianites serves as a testament to God's justice and His commitment to delivering His covenant people from their enemies.
  • Gideon's Persistence: Though not directly stated in this verse, the fact that Zebah and Zalmunna were still being pursued highlights Gideon's unwavering commitment to complete the task God had given him, even after the initial victory and despite his men being "faint, yet pursuing" (Judges 8:4).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "children of the east" (Hebrew: benei kedem) is a general term often used in the Old Testament to refer to nomadic tribes inhabiting the desert regions east of Israel, including Midianites, Amalekites, and others. Its use here emphasizes the wide array of tribal groups that had coalesced to oppress Israel, making their defeat even more significant. The phrase "that drew sword" highlights that the casualties were active combatants, not merely a general population.

Practical Application

Judges 8:10 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • No opposition is too great for God. When facing overwhelming challenges, we can trust in God's power to deliver and grant victory, even when our resources seem meager (2 Corinthians 12:9).
  • God is just. He sees the oppression and suffering of His people and will bring judgment upon those who perpetrate injustice.
  • Persistence in faith and obedience is crucial. Like Gideon, we are called to finish the work God entrusts to us, even when tired or discouraged. The full extent of God's victory is realized through our faithful follow-through.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 7:12

    And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels [were] without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

  • Judges 20:17

    And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these [were] men of war.

  • Judges 20:35

    And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.

  • Judges 20:2

    And the chief of all the people, [even] of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.

  • Judges 20:46

    So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these [were] men of valour.

  • Judges 20:25

    And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.

  • Judges 20:15

    And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.