Judges 8:24

And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites.)

And Gideon {H1439} said {H559} unto them, I would desire {H7592} a request {H7596} of you, that ye would give {H5414} me every man {H376} the earrings {H5141} of his prey {H7998}.(For they had golden {H2091} earrings {H5141}, because they were Ishmaelites {H3459}.)

Then he added, "But I have this request to make of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from the booty you have taken." For the enemy soldiers had worn gold earrings, like all the other tribes descended from Yishma'el.

Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)

And Gideon said unto them, I would make a request of you, that ye would give me every man the ear-rings of his spoil. (For they had golden ear-rings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

Commentary

Context of Judges 8:24

Following a decisive victory over the Midianite and Ishmaelite forces, a triumph orchestrated by God through Gideon, the people of Israel offered Gideon the opportunity to rule over them. Gideon, however, refused, stating that the Lord alone should rule (Judges 8:23). Immediately after this declaration, Gideon makes a personal request of the men of Israel. This verse details that request, asking for the golden earrings taken as spoils from their defeated enemies.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spoils of War: The verse highlights the ancient practice of victors taking spoils from their defeated foes. The abundance of gold earrings indicates the wealth of the Midianite/Ishmaelite coalition.
  • Gideon's Personal Request: Despite refusing kingship, Gideon still makes a specific, personal request. This seemingly small request for gold will, unfortunately, lead to a significant spiritual misstep later in the chapter, as he uses it to create an ephod that becomes a snare to Israel (Judges 8:27).
  • Identity of the Enemy: The parenthetical note, "For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites," is significant. While often referred to as Midianites, this verse explicitly identifies them as Ishmaelites, or at least closely associated with them. Both were nomadic desert peoples, descendants of Abraham through different lines, and known for their extensive use of gold as ornamentation and a sign of wealth.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The term "Ishmaelites" (Hebrew: Yishma'elim) here underscores the cultural context. These nomadic tribes, often intermingling, were known for carrying their wealth in easily transportable forms, such as gold jewelry. Earrings were a common form of adornment and a readily available form of currency or portable wealth among such peoples. The large quantity of golden earrings collected demonstrates the vastness of the victory and the immense wealth possessed by these desert raiders.

Practical Application

Judges 8:24 serves as a subtle reminder that even after great spiritual victories, seemingly minor requests or personal gains can carry unforeseen consequences. Gideon's request for gold, while perhaps appearing innocuous at first, ultimately contributed to a spiritual stumbling block for Israel. This encourages believers to exercise caution and discernment in all their dealings, especially regarding wealth and personal desires, ensuring that even good intentions do not lead to actions that draw others away from God. It's a call to consider the long-term impact of our choices, even those made in the wake of triumph.

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

  • Genesis 25:13

    And these [are] the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

  • Genesis 37:28

    Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

  • Genesis 37:25

    And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry [it] down to Egypt.

  • 1 Peter 3:3

    Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

  • 1 Peter 3:5

    For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

  • Exodus 32:3

    And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron.

  • Genesis 24:53

    And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave [them] to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.