Judges 8:19

And he said, They [were] my brethren, [even] the sons of my mother: [as] the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

And he said {H559}, They were my brethren {H251}, even the sons {H1121} of my mother {H517}: as the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, if {H3863} ye had saved them alive {H2421}, I would not slay {H2026} you.

Gid'on replied, "They were my brothers, my mother's sons. As surely as ADONAI is alive, I swear that if you had spared them, I would not kill you."

โ€œThey were my brothers,โ€ Gideon replied, โ€œthe sons of my mother! As surely as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.โ€

And he said, They were my brethren, the sons of my mother: as Jehovah liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

Commentary

Judges 8:19 captures a pivotal moment in Gideon's pursuit of the Midianite kings, Zeba and Zalmunna, revealing a deeply personal motivation behind his actions.

Context

This verse occurs after Gideon has decisively defeated the main Midianite army with his 300 men, as detailed in Judges chapter 7. He is now in relentless pursuit of the two remaining Midianite kings, Zeba and Zalmunna, who represent the last vestiges of the oppressive force that had plagued Israel for seven years. Gideon's journey has taken him across the Jordan, where he encountered resistance and lack of support from Israelite towns like Succoth and Penuel (Judges 8:6). In the immediate preceding verse (Judges 8:18), Gideon asks Zeba and Zalmunna about the men they killed at Tabor. Their description of these men, who resembled Gideon's own sons, sets the stage for Gideon's solemn declaration in verse 19.

Key Themes

  • Personal Vengeance and Justice: Gideon's statement reveals that his pursuit of Zeba and Zalmunna is not merely a matter of national liberation but also a deeply personal quest for justice. The murder of his brothers at Tabor fuels his resolve, transforming the conflict into a family vendetta. This highlights the strong cultural importance of familial honor and retribution in ancient societies.
  • Familial Bonds: The phrase "my brethren, even the sons of my mother" emphasizes the closest possible blood relationโ€”full brothers. This underscores the profound grief and outrage Gideon felt. Such a bond meant a shared inheritance and a deep emotional connection, making their deaths a profound personal loss that demanded a response.
  • Solemn Oath: "As the LORD liveth" is a powerful and common oath in the Old Testament, signifying the absolute truth and gravity of Gideon's declaration. By invoking the living God, Gideon underscores the seriousness of his intent and the divine justification he feels for his actions, even if rooted in personal sorrow.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "my brethren, even the sons of my mother" (ืึฒื—ึทื™ ื‘ึผึฐื ึตื™ ืึดืžึผึดื™, 'achai b'nei imi) distinctly emphasizes a full sibling relationship, typically indicating children born of the same parents. This specific phrasing highlights the deep, undeniable bond and personal connection Gideon had to the slain men, making their murder an intensely personal offense rather than just another casualty of war.

Practical Application

While Gideon's actions are rooted in ancient cultural norms of retribution, this verse offers insights into the human experience of loss and the pursuit of justice. It reminds us:

  • The Weight of Personal Loss: The verse powerfully conveys the deep impact of personal tragedy, showing how loss can motivate even a national leader.
  • The Seriousness of Oaths: Gideon's oath, "As the LORD liveth," serves as a reminder of the gravity of vows and promises made, especially when invoking the name of God.
  • Motivation in Leadership: It illustrates that leaders, even those called by God (as Gideon was in Judges 6:12), are complex individuals driven by both divine mandate and deeply personal experiences.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.

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