Judges 8:22

¶ Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.

Then the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} said {H559} unto Gideon {H1439}, Rule {H4910} thou over us, both thou, and thy son {H1121}, and thy son's {H1121} son {H1121} also: for thou hast delivered {H3467} us from the hand {H3027} of Midian {H4080}.

The men of Isra'el said to Gid'on: "Rule over us, you, your son and your grandson, because you saved us from the power of Midyan.

Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”

Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also; for thou hast saved us out of the hand of Midian.

Commentary

Context

Judges 8:22 immediately follows Gideon's decisive victory over the Midianites, who had oppressed Israel for seven years. After pursuing and defeating the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, Gideon returns as a celebrated hero. The people, having experienced profound deliverance through his leadership, are now eager to establish a more stable and permanent form of governance. This verse captures their strong desire for a hereditary monarchy, a significant deviation from Israel's established theocratic system of judges, where God was meant to be their direct ruler.

Key Themes

  • Desire for Human Leadership: The Israelites' request reveals a deep yearning for a visible, tangible leader, similar to the nations around them. Their gratitude for Gideon's military success overshadowed the theological implications of seeking a king to rule over them and their descendants.
  • Gratitude and Reward: The people's offer to Gideon and his lineage stems from immense gratitude for his role in delivering them from the Midianite threat, as explicitly stated: "for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian." This highlights the human tendency to reward exceptional service with power and influence.
  • Foreshadowing of Monarchy: This plea for a dynastic rule is a pivotal moment, directly foreshadowing Israel's later persistent demand for a king, which eventually led to the anointing of Saul and the establishment of the Israelite monarchy, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:5.
  • Theocracy vs. Monarchy: The verse implicitly presents the tension between God's intended rule over His people and their desire for a human king. While Gideon later rejects the offer in Judges 8:23, this moment marks a significant step towards Israel's eventual embrace of human kingship, often with mixed results.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Rule thou over us" comes from the Hebrew word mashal (מָשַׁל), which signifies exercising dominion, having authority, or reigning. It implies a comprehensive and enduring form of governance, much like God's dominion over creation mentioned in Genesis 1:26. The word "delivered" is from the Hebrew yasha' (יָשַׁע), meaning to save, rescue, or bring salvation. This term underscores the magnitude of Gideon's achievement in the eyes of the people, viewing him as their savior from oppression, echoing the theme of divine deliverance found in passages like Isaiah 43:11.

Practical Application

Judges 8:22 offers several timeless lessons. It reminds us of the human inclination to place trust and hope in powerful leaders, even to the extent of desiring a permanent, hereditary system, rather than consistently relying on divine guidance. While human leadership is necessary, this passage serves as a cautionary tale against elevating any person or system above God's ultimate sovereignty. It challenges us to discern where our ultimate security and deliverance truly lie – in earthly power or in the unfailing hand of God, who often works through humble instruments to achieve His purposes. The people's gratefulness is understandable, but their solution points to a deeper spiritual longing for stability outside of God's direct rule.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 8:5

    And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

  • John 6:15

    ¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

  • Judges 9:8

    The trees went forth [on a time] to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

  • Judges 9:15

    And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, [then] come [and] put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

  • 1 Samuel 12:12

    And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God [was] your king.