Judges 8:26

KJV

And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred [shekels] of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that [was] on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that [were] about their camels' necks.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the weight {H4948} of the golden {H2091} earrings {H5141} that he requested {H7592} was a thousand {H505} and seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} shekels of gold {H2091}; beside ornaments {H7720}, and collars {H5188}, and purple {H713} raiment {H899} that was on the kings {H4428} of Midian {H4080}, and beside the chains {H6060} that were about their camels {H1581}' necks {H6677}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The gold earrings he requested weighed more than forty-two pounds; and this doesn't include the crescents, pendants and purple cloth worn by the kings of Midyan and the chains around their camels' necks.

Berean Standard Bible

The weight of the gold earrings he had requested was 1,700 shekels, in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple garments of the kings of Midian, and the chains from the necks of their camels.

American Standard Version

And the weight of the golden ear-rings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse provides a meticulous inventory of the immense spoils of war collected by Gideon and the Israelite forces after their decisive victory over the Midianites. This verse specifically details the staggering weight of golden earrings, amounting to seventeen hundred shekels, alongside other luxurious items such as various ornaments, collars, purple raiment worn by the Midianite kings, and even gold chains adorning their camels. This comprehensive enumeration not only underscores the vast wealth and elevated status of the defeated Midianite leadership but also serves as a tangible testament to the thoroughness of God's deliverance and the complete subjugation of Israel's formidable oppressors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 8:26 is strategically placed at the culmination of Gideon's military campaign against the Midianites, immediately following his relentless pursuit and capture of their kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. The preceding narrative, spanning from [Judges 8:4](/judges/8-4 "Gideon's Pursuit") to [Judges 8:21](/judges/8-21 "Gideon Executes Midianite Kings"), vividly recounts Gideon's determination, his encounters with uncooperative Israelite towns, and the ultimate execution of the Midianite kings in vengeance for his brothers. This verse, therefore, functions as the formal accounting of the spoils of war, a customary practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare that signified the victor's complete triumph and the vanquished's utter defeat. It marks a definitive end to the military phase of Gideon's story, simultaneously setting the stage for the subsequent, problematic events concerning the ephod in [Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Gideon's Ephod Becomes a Snare"), where this very wealth becomes a spiritual stumbling block for Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Midianites were a formidable, nomadic people who had subjected Israel to seven years of severe oppression, characterized by devastating raids on their agricultural produce and livestock, as vividly described in [Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1-6 "Midianite Oppression of Israel"). Their substantial wealth, meticulously itemized in this verse, was a hallmark of their mercantile and predatory lifestyle, accumulated through trade and plunder across the desert regions. The items listed—golden earrings, various ornaments, collars, purple raiment, and camel chains—were far more than mere decorations; they were potent symbols of immense status, power, and affluence in the ancient Near East. Notably, purple dye, derived from rare murex snails, was exorbitantly expensive and reserved almost exclusively for royalty and the elite, signifying the Midianite kings' exalted position. The mention of gold chains adorning their camels further emphasizes their extraordinary prosperity, as camels were highly prized assets, and their adornment was an ultimate display of wealth. This cultural understanding profoundly amplifies the significance of the plunder, showcasing the comprehensive subjugation of a wealthy and powerful enemy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Victory**, serving as tangible evidence of God's miraculous power in decisively overthrowing Israel's oppressors, even through an unlikely hero and a small, Spirit-empowered army, as seen in the miraculous rout described in [Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "The Rout of the Midianite Army"). The immense spoils underscore the totality of this divinely orchestrated triumph. Secondly, it subtly introduces the critical theme of **The Perils of Prosperity and the Mismanagement of Blessings**. While the wealth acquired was a legitimate outcome of God's victory, the subsequent narrative in [Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "The Ephod as a Snare") reveals how this very prosperity becomes a source of temptation and spiritual deviation for Gideon and the nation. This foreshadows a recurring pattern throughout Judges, where periods of peace and material abundance often lead to spiritual complacency and idolatry. Lastly, the verse, in conjunction with its immediate sequel, highlights the theme of **Human Fallibility**, even among God's chosen leaders, demonstrating that even great victories can be marred by personal failures in stewardship and obedience to God's covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Earrings (Hebrew, נֶזֶם, _nezem_):** While commonly translated as "earrings," the Hebrew term _nezem_ (H5141) broadly refers to various forms of ring-shaped jewelry worn on the face or body, including nose-rings. In the ancient Near East, such adornments were not merely decorative but held significant social, economic, and sometimes religious value, denoting tribal affiliation, social status, or wealth. The fact that Gideon specifically requested these items, and their collective weight was so immense, highlights their high intrinsic and symbolic value as prized trophies from the defeated enemy, signifying their opulence and the completeness of their subjugation.
* **Purple (Hebrew, אַרְגָּמָן, _ʼargâmân_):** The term _ʼargâmân_ (H713) refers to a rich, deep purple color or the fabric dyed with it. This dye was exceedingly rare and expensive, meticulously extracted from the Murex snails found in the Mediterranean Sea. Consequently, purple garments were almost exclusively reserved for royalty, high priests, and the extremely wealthy throughout the ancient Near East, symbolizing power, luxury, and exalted status. Their presence among the spoils reinforces the regal status of the Midianite kings and the opulent nature of their court, making their defeat and the stripping of these garments a profound act of humiliation and the transfer of their prestige.
* **Chains (Hebrew, עֲנָק, _ʻânâq_):** The Hebrew word _ʻânâq_ (H6060) refers to a necklace or a chain, often implying a form of adornment worn around the neck. In this context, the mention of "chains that were about their camels' necks" speaks to an extraordinary level of wealth and extravagance. Camels were highly valuable assets, essential for trade and desert travel. Adorning such valuable animals with gold chains was an ostentatious display of immense affluence, indicating that the Midianite kings' riches extended even to their most practical possessions, painting a vivid picture of their overall prosperity and the comprehensive nature of the plunder Gideon acquired.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred [shekels] of gold;":** This opening clause immediately establishes the astonishing scale of the wealth acquired. Gideon's specific request for the golden earrings, rather than a general share of the plunder, suggests their particular significance or perceived value. The stated weight of 1,700 shekels of gold represents an extraordinary sum (approximately 43 pounds or 19.5 kilograms), underscoring the vast riches of the Midianite leadership and the magnitude of Israel's victory. This quantity alone speaks volumes about the opulence of the defeated enemy.
* **"beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that [was] on the kings of Midian,":** This phrase expands the inventory of the plunder beyond the initial earrings, detailing other highly valuable and symbolically significant items. "Ornaments" (H7720 _sahărôn_) and "collars" (H5188 _nᵉṭîyphâh_) refer to various forms of jewelry and adornments, likely made of precious metals and stones, further emphasizing the Midianite kings' opulence. The "purple raiment" (H713 _ʼargâmân_) is particularly noteworthy, as purple dye was a rare and costly symbol of royalty and extreme wealth in the ancient world, reinforcing the high status of the defeated kings and the luxurious nature of their possessions.
* **"and beside the chains that [were] about their camels' necks.":** The final clause adds another layer to the description of Midianite wealth, highlighting their extreme extravagance. Camels were themselves valuable assets, crucial for trade and desert travel. Adorning these animals with gold chains was an extravagant display of immense affluence, indicating that the Midianite kings' riches extended even to their livestock. This detail paints a vivid picture of their overall prosperity and the comprehensive nature of the plunder Gideon acquired, leaving no doubt about the extent of their defeat.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Judges 8:26 is **Enumeration** or **Inventory**. The verse meticulously lists the types and quantities of wealth acquired, specifically detailing the golden earrings, ornaments, collars, purple raiment, and camel chains. This precise and comprehensive inventory serves to emphasize the sheer magnitude of the Midianite kings' wealth and, by extension, the overwhelming nature of Israel's victory. The vivid description of these luxurious items also utilizes **Imagery**, painting a clear and opulent picture of the riches that were stripped from the defeated enemy. Furthermore, the selection of specific items, particularly the "purple raiment" and "chains about their camels' necks," functions as **Symbolism**, representing the high status, power, and extravagant lifestyle of the Midianite leadership. The detailed account of these spoils also creates a subtle sense of **Foreshadowing**, as the very next verse (Judges 8:27) reveals how this immense wealth, particularly the gold, becomes a spiritual snare for Gideon and Israel, illustrating how even legitimate gains can tragically lead to idolatry and deviation from God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 8:26, while seemingly a straightforward inventory of war spoils, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a tangible demonstration of God's complete victory over Israel's oppressors, showcasing the immense wealth and power that was stripped from the Midianites and transferred to the Israelites. This transfer of wealth signifies not only a military triumph but also a divine judgment against those who afflicted God's people. However, the verse also subtly introduces a critical theological theme: the inherent danger of material prosperity when not stewarded according to God's will. The very next verse reveals how this immense gold became the raw material for an ephod, which unexpectedly became an object of idolatry for Gideon and his household, leading Israel astray. This highlights that blessings, if improperly handled, can become spiritual snares, diverting devotion from the true God. The passage thus underscores the importance of spiritual discernment and faithful stewardship, reminding us that true victory is not merely in acquiring wealth but in remaining faithful to the Giver of all blessings.

* [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17-18 "The Danger of Forgetting God in Prosperity")
* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Trusting in Riches Leads to Ruin")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "The Root of All Evil is the Love of Money")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 8:26 presents a powerful, albeit subtle, lesson for believers today. It reminds us that while God is faithful to deliver and bless His people with victory and provision, the manner in which we handle those blessings is paramount. Gideon's acquisition of immense wealth was a direct result of God's miraculous intervention, yet this very blessing became a catalyst for spiritual compromise. This prompts us to examine our own lives: when God grants us success, material prosperity, influence, or any form of abundance, do we allow these gifts to draw us closer to Him in gratitude and faithful stewardship, or do they subtly become objects of trust, pride, or distraction that pull us away? The danger is not in the blessing itself, but in our hearts' posture towards it. We are called to be wise stewards of all that God entrusts to us, ensuring that our resources, talents, and achievements are consistently aligned with His purposes and do not become idols that compete for our ultimate devotion. Our ultimate treasure must remain God Himself, not the gifts He bestows.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "spoils" or blessings has God granted in your life, and how are you stewarding them for His glory?**
* **How can legitimate gains or successes become a spiritual snare if not handled with discernment, humility, and prayer?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure that your material possessions or achievements do not distract you from your devotion to God?**
* **In what ways might the pursuit or accumulation of wealth subtly shift our trust from God to our resources, and how can we guard against this?**

### FAQ
**What was the approximate value of 1,700 shekels of gold in modern terms?**

Answer: While a precise modern equivalent is difficult due to fluctuating gold prices, ancient economic contexts, and the purchasing power of gold, 1,700 shekels of gold would have been an extraordinarily vast sum. Given that an ancient shekel of gold typically weighed around 11.5 grams, 1,700 shekels would equate to approximately 19.55 kilograms (or about 43 pounds) of pure gold. At current market prices, this would represent a multi-million dollar value, underscoring the immense wealth of the Midianite kings and the sheer scale of the plunder Gideon acquired. This sum was not merely a personal fortune but a significant national treasure, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance and the thorough defeat of Israel's oppressors, as well as the potential for great temptation, as seen in [Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Gideon's Ephod and Its Consequences").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 8:26, with its detailed inventory of earthly spoils and the subsequent spiritual snare they became, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in the accumulation of material wealth, but in the ultimate victory and spiritual riches secured by Jesus Christ. While Gideon's victory brought temporary relief and physical plunder, Christ's triumph on the cross secured an eternal deliverance from the true oppressors: sin, death, and the devil. The "purple raiment" of the Midianite kings symbolized earthly royalty and power, but Christ, though the true King of Kings, wore no such garments in His ultimate victory; instead, He was clothed in humility and suffered a crown of thorns (as recounted in [Matthew 27:28-29](/matthew/27-28-29 "The Crown of Thorns and Mockery")). The spoils of His victory are not gold and silver, but spiritual blessings: redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life, freely given to those who believe (see [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Redemption Through His Blood") and [2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Unlike Gideon's gold, which became a snare, the spiritual riches found in Christ never lead to idolatry but always draw us into deeper worship and communion with God. He is the true treasure, the one in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). His victory ensures that we, His people, are not merely delivered from oppression but are made heirs to an incorruptible inheritance, far surpassing any earthly wealth or fleeting glory ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "An Incorruptible Inheritance")).

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

Esther 8:15

¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

John 19:5

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And [Pilate] saith unto them, Behold the man!

Revelation 18:12

The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

Revelation 18:16

And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

John 19:2

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put [it] on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

Jeremiah 10:9

Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men].

Revelation 17:4

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: