Judges 8:24

KJV

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.)

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.)

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.)

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Judges 8:24 records Gideon's specific request to the men of Israel for the golden earrings they had taken as spoils from their defeated Midianite and Ishmaelite enemies. This request immediately follows his profound refusal of the people's offer to make him king, asserting that only the Lord should rule. While seemingly a minor personal request for wealth, this act sets the stage for a significant spiritual misstep that would later become a snare for all Israel, subtly highlighting the subtle dangers of personal gain even after great spiritual victories.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately after Gideon's powerful declaration in [Judges 8:23](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship") that he would not rule over Israel, nor would his son, but "the Lord shall rule over you." This refusal, seemingly a high point of spiritual discernment, is immediately followed by a personal request from Gideon. The juxtaposition is critical: a public rejection of earthly kingship is quickly succeeded by a private desire for personal gain derived from the spoils of war. This request for gold, as [Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Judges 8:27 - Gideon's Ephod Becomes a Snare") reveals, directly leads to the creation of an ephod that becomes an object of idolatry and a spiritual stumbling block for Israel, thereby undermining the very principle of God's sole rule that Gideon had just articulated.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of taking spoils of war was a common and accepted custom in the ancient Near East, serving as a reward for the victorious army and a demonstration of the vanquished enemy's defeat. The Midianites and Ishmaelites, often associated and intermingling as nomadic desert tribes, were known for their wealth, much of which was in portable forms like gold jewelry. Earrings were not merely decorative but often functioned as a form of portable wealth, status symbols, or even amulets with religious significance. Their abundance among the Midianite/Ishmaelite forces underscores their affluence and the scale of the Israelite victory. The parenthetical note identifying them as "Ishmaelites" is significant, highlighting the broad confederation of desert peoples Israel faced, all descendants of Abraham through different lines, yet now adversaries.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 8:24 contributes to several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it touches upon the theme of **Spoils of War** and the potential for such wealth to become a snare, echoing warnings found in [Deuteronomy 7:25](/deuteronomy/7-25 "Deuteronomy 7:25 - Warning Against Idolatrous Gold"). Secondly, it highlights the complex and often flawed nature of **Gideon's Leadership**, demonstrating that even divinely appointed deliverers are susceptible to personal desires that can lead to spiritual compromise. His refusal of kingship in [Judges 8:23](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship") is commendable, but his subsequent action reveals a subtle lapse in judgment regarding material possessions. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Idolatry and Apostasy**, as the gold collected here will directly contribute to the creation of the ephod, an object that draws Israel away from the worship of Yahweh, foreshadowing the recurring cycle of sin and deliverance characteristic of the book of Judges.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Earrings (Hebrew, _nézem_):** This term refers specifically to nose-rings or ear-rings, typically made of gold or silver. In the ancient Near East, such jewelry was a prominent form of adornment, a clear indicator of wealth and social status, and a common medium for storing or transporting riches among nomadic peoples. The request for "every man the earrings of his prey" suggests a vast quantity of gold, underscoring the immense wealth of the Midianite/Ishmaelite coalition and the completeness of Israel's victory.
* **Prey (Hebrew, _shālāl_):** This word denotes "spoil," "booty," or "plunder" taken from a defeated enemy. It encompasses all movable property seized in war, including livestock, clothing, and valuables like jewelry. Gideon's request is for a specific item from this general category of spoils, indicating a deliberate and targeted acquisition of wealth.
* **Ishmaelites (Hebrew, _Yishma'elim_):** This designation is crucial, as the primary enemy throughout the narrative has been referred to as "Midianites." The inclusion of "Ishmaelites" here (and in [Judges 8:26](/judges/8-26 "Judges 8:26 - The Weight of the Gold")) indicates a broader confederation of nomadic desert tribes, descendants of Ishmael (Abraham's son through Hagar), who often intermingled with or were allied with the Midianites (descendants of Abraham through Keturah). Both groups shared similar nomadic lifestyles, cultural practices, and a penchant for gold ornamentation, reinforcing the cultural context of the spoils.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you":** Following his powerful declaration that the Lord alone would rule, Gideon initiates a personal request. The phrasing "I would desire a request" (literally, "I will ask a request") indicates a formal, yet personal, appeal to the men who had just offered him kingship. This highlights his continued authority and influence, even as he ostensibly deFers to God's ultimate sovereignty.
* **"that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey":** Gideon's request is highly specific and personal. He asks each man to contribute the golden earrings they had taken as spoils from the defeated enemy. This collective contribution would amass a significant amount of gold, far beyond what might be considered a simple personal keepsake, hinting at a larger purpose for the collected wealth.
* **"(For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites.)":** This parenthetical clause serves as an explanatory note, providing cultural and material context. It clarifies why earrings were so abundant among the enemy and why they were specifically "golden." The explicit identification of the enemy as "Ishmaelites" underscores their nomadic, wealthy culture, where gold jewelry was a common form of portable assets and adornment, thus making such a request both practical and lucrative.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 8:24 employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning. **Parenthesis** is evident in the explanatory clause "(For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites.)," which provides crucial cultural and historical background without interrupting the primary narrative flow of Gideon's request. This detail helps the reader understand the context of the wealth. **Foreshadowing** is powerfully at play, as this seemingly innocuous request for gold directly precedes and sets the stage for the creation of the ephod in [Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Judges 8:27 - Gideon's Ephod Becomes a Snare"), which becomes a spiritual snare for Israel. The gold, intended for a personal project, will lead to idolatry, hinting at the tragic trajectory of Gideon's later life and the nation's spiritual decline. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** in Gideon's actions: he nobly refuses earthly kingship, affirming God's sole rule, yet immediately makes a personal demand for wealth that ultimately leads to a form of idolatry, undermining the very principle he championed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 8:24, though seemingly a minor detail about spoils of war, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark reminder that even after experiencing profound divine victory and demonstrating spiritual discernment (as Gideon did in refusing kingship), human leaders remain susceptible to the subtle allure of personal gain and the potential for good intentions to go awry. Gideon's request, while perhaps not initially malicious, reveals a lingering attachment to worldly possessions that ultimately compromises his spiritual integrity and that of the nation. It illustrates how easily material wealth, even when acquired legitimately, can become a stumbling block if not consecrated to God's purposes, subtly shifting focus from divine provision to human accumulation. This episode underscores the constant need for vigilance against the insidious nature of greed and the potential for seemingly minor personal desires to lead to significant spiritual deviation.

* [Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Judges 8:27 - Gideon's Ephod Becomes a Snare")
* [Deuteronomy 7:25](/deuteronomy/7-25 "Deuteronomy 7:25 - Warning Against Idolatrous Gold")
* [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - Rejection of God's Kingship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 8:24 presents a powerful, albeit subtle, cautionary tale for believers today. It highlights the critical importance of discerning our motivations, especially in the wake of spiritual triumphs. Gideon, having just delivered Israel through God's power and nobly refused the crown, immediately falls prey to a personal desire for wealth. This demonstrates that even the most spiritually mature among us are vulnerable to the subtle temptations of material gain or personal ambition, which can subtly divert our focus from God's glory to our own. We are called to exercise extreme caution and discernment regarding our possessions and desires, ensuring that our choices, even those seemingly innocuous, do not become stumbling blocks for ourselves or others. The verse challenges us to consider the long-term spiritual impact of our decisions, particularly concerning wealth and personal gain, and to constantly evaluate whether our actions truly align with God's will and honor His name above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might seemingly small personal requests or desires, even after significant spiritual victories, lead to unforeseen negative consequences in our lives?**
* **In what ways can material possessions, even those legitimately acquired, become a "snare" or a distraction from our devotion to God?**
* **What safeguards can we put in place to ensure that our personal desires do not subtly undermine our commitment to God's sovereignty and purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why did Gideon ask for earrings specifically, and what was their cultural significance?**

Answer: Gideon specifically requested earrings because they were a common and highly valuable form of adornment and portable wealth among the nomadic Midianite and Ishmaelite tribes. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, gold earrings (and nose rings) were not just decorative; they served as a readily transportable store of wealth, a sign of social status, and sometimes even had amuletic or religious significance. By requesting these specific items from each man's spoils, Gideon was able to amass a significant quantity of gold (estimated at 1,700 shekels in [Judges 8:26](/judges/8-26 "Judges 8:26 - The Weight of the Gold")), which he then used to create the ephod. This choice highlights the practicality of collecting wealth in a compact form, as well as the cultural context of the defeated enemies' opulence.

**What was the significance of calling the enemies "Ishmaelites" in this verse, given they are usually referred to as "Midianites"?**

Answer: The parenthetical note in [Judges 8:24](/judges/8-24 "Judges 8:24 - Gideon's Request for Earrings") explicitly identifies the enemies as "Ishmaelites," even though the narrative primarily refers to them as "Midianites." This is significant because it indicates a broader tribal confederation or intermingling of these nomadic desert peoples. Both Midianites (descendants of Abraham through Keturah) and Ishmaelites (descendants of Abraham through Hagar) were related peoples who shared similar nomadic lifestyles, cultural practices, and economic activities, including trade and raiding. The Bible often uses these terms somewhat interchangeably or in conjunction to refer to the same general group of desert dwellers who posed a threat to Israel. For instance, [Genesis 37:25-28](/genesis/37-25 "Genesis 37:25-28 - Joseph Sold to Ishmaelites/Midianites") describes Joseph being sold to a caravan of "Ishmaelites" who are also called "Midianites." This detail in Judges 8:24 simply reinforces the identity of the wealthy, gold-adorned nomadic raiders whom Gideon had defeated.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Gideon's request for gold in Judges 8:24, immediately following his noble refusal of kingship, serves as a poignant illustration of the inherent flaw in human leadership and the subtle dangers of earthly treasures, even when acquired from victory. While Gideon correctly declared that "the Lord shall rule," his subsequent action of collecting gold for a personal project (the ephod, which became an idol) demonstrates how easily human ambition or flawed piety can subtly undermine divine sovereignty. In stark contrast, Christ is the perfect King who truly refused earthly crowns and personal gain. He did not seek spoils of war but willingly emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility")). Unlike Gideon, whose collected gold became a snare, Jesus taught His followers to lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven")), and He Himself became the ultimate "spoil" of victory over sin and death, offering Himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His triumph over the spiritual powers of darkness was not marked by the accumulation of earthly gold but by His self-giving love, disarming the principalities and powers by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, Gideon's flawed request for gold foreshadows the need for a perfect King whose reign is characterized not by personal acquisition but by sacrificial love and eternal spiritual riches.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.