Judges 8:26

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Judges 8:26 meticulously details the considerable wealth and valuable possessions acquired by Gideon and the Israelite army as spoils of war after their decisive victory over the Midianites. This verse focuses on the specific items Gideon requested from the plunder.

Context

This verse is situated in the aftermath of Gideon's divinely empowered campaign against the Midianites, who had oppressed Israel for seven years. Following the miraculous rout of the Midianite army with only 300 men (Judges 7:22), Gideon pursued and captured the two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. As part of the customary spoils of war in the ancient Near East, Gideon requested and received a vast collection of valuable items from the plunder. This detailed inventory highlights the immense riches of the defeated Midianite leadership and the scale of Israel's victory.

Key Themes

  • Immense Spoils of War: The sheer quantity of gold—1,700 shekels from the golden earrings alone (equating to approximately 40-50 pounds or 18-23 kilograms of gold)—along with other luxurious items like ornaments, collars, purple raiment, and chains from camels, underscores the incredible wealth of the Midianite kings. This serves as a tangible testament to the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance and the thorough defeat of Israel's oppressors.
  • Symbols of Status and Royalty: The mention of "purple raiment" is particularly significant. Purple dye was exceedingly rare and expensive in the ancient world, reserved almost exclusively for royalty and the very wealthy. Its presence, alongside abundant gold and elaborate ornaments, paints a vivid picture of the Midianite kings' opulence and high status, making their defeat all the more impactful.
  • Foreshadowing of a Spiritual Snare: While this verse merely lists the spoils, it sets the stage for the immediate next development. The very next verse (Judges 8:27) reveals that Gideon used this vast amount of gold to create an ephod, which unexpectedly became a spiritual snare for him and his household, leading Israel away from true worship. This highlights how even legitimate gains can become problematic if not handled according to God's will.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The term "shekels" (Hebrew: sheqel) in this context refers to a unit of weight, not a coin, which was the standard method for measuring precious metals in the ancient world. The 1,700 shekels of gold was an extraordinary sum, demonstrating the immense value of the plunder. The "earrings" were likely more than simple adornments; in ancient cultures, such items, along with collars and other ornaments, could signify tribal identity, social status, or even serve as protective amulets. The "chains that were about their camels' necks" further illustrate the Midianites' wealth, as camels were valuable assets, and adorning them with gold chains was a display of extreme affluence.

Practical Application

Judges 8:26 offers a subtle but profound lesson on the nature of victory and material possessions. While God grants victories and blessings, the subsequent handling of the fruits of these blessings is crucial. The immense wealth acquired by Gideon and Israel, though legitimately gained, ultimately led to a spiritual downfall due to its misuse in creating the ephod. This serves as a timeless reminder that material wealth, power, or success, if not stewarded wisely and aligned with God's purposes, can become a source of temptation or a spiritual stumbling block. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in all matters, especially concerning resources, ensuring that blessings do not become distractions from devotion to Him.

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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

  • 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:
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