Judges 8:15

And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, [Are] the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men [that are] weary?

And he came {H935} unto the men {H582} of Succoth {H5523}, and said {H559}, Behold Zebah {H2078} and Zalmunna {H6759}, with whom ye did upbraid {H2778} me, saying {H559}, Are the hands {H3709} of Zebah {H2078} and Zalmunna {H6759} now in thine hand {H3027}, that we should give {H5414} bread {H3899} unto thy men {H582} that are weary {H3287}?

Then he came to the people of Sukkot and said: "You insulted me when you said, 'You haven't captured Zevach and Tzalmuna yet, so why should we give bread to your exhausted men?' Well, here are Zevach and Tzalmuna!"

And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”

And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

Commentary

Commentary on Judges 8:15 (KJV)

This verse records the moment Gideon confronts the leaders of Succoth after successfully capturing the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna. It highlights the tension and previous interaction between Gideon and the people of Succoth during his pursuit.

Context

Following a decisive victory against the Midianites, Gideon was pursuing their fleeing kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. His men were weary and hungry, and Gideon had requested provisions from the Israelite cities of Succoth and Penuel as he passed through. However, the officials of Succoth, fearful of retribution from the Midianites if Gideon failed, refused to provide food, mockingly questioning if he had already captured the kings. Gideon had then vowed to return after capturing Zebah and Zalmunna and punish them for their lack of support. Now, having achieved his objective, Gideon returns to make good on that promise, bringing the captured kings with him as proof.

Meaning and Significance

Gideon's return to Succoth with Zebah and Zalmunna in hand serves as a stark demonstration that their skeptical and unsupportive attitude was misplaced. He presents the very individuals they demanded to see captured before offering aid, directly referencing their dismissive question from Judges 8:6. This verse sets the stage for the judgment Gideon subsequently carries out against Succoth and Penuel for their failure to support their fellow Israelites in a time of crucial need. It underscores the consequences of prioritizing self-preservation over solidarity and faith in God's deliverer.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Unbelief and Lack of Support: Succoth's refusal stemmed from fear and doubt in Gideon's success, leading to severe repercussions (Judges 8:16).
  • Keeping Promises (Even of Judgment): Gideon follows through on the warning he gave to the men of Succoth.
  • Solidarity Among Israelites: The expectation was that fellow tribes would support the fight against common enemies; Succoth failed in this regard.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses the word "upbraid," which means to scold or reproach. The men of Succoth did not just refuse; they did so with scornful questioning, highlighting their lack of faith and respect for Gideon and his mission.

Reflection

This passage serves as a reminder that indifference or opposition to God's work and His servants can have serious consequences. Just as the men of Succoth were held accountable for their refusal to aid Gideon and his weary men, we are called to support and encourage those whom God is using, rather than hinder them through doubt or self-interest. It challenges us to consider whether we are active participants in God's purposes or merely observers, risking judgment for our inaction or lack of faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 8:6

    And the princes of Succoth said, [Are] the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

  • Judges 8:7

    And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
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