Judges 8:28

KJV

Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus was Midian {H4080} subdued {H3665} before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, so that they lifted up {H5375} their heads {H7218} no more {H3254}. And the country {H776} was in quietness {H8252} forty {H705} years {H8141} in the days {H3117} of Gideon {H1439}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is how Midyan was defeated by Isra'el, so that they ceased to be a threat. The land had rest forty years during the lifetime of Gid'on;

Berean Standard Bible

In this way Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. So the land had rest for forty years in the days of Gideon,

American Standard Version

So Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, and they lifted up their heads no more. And the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 8:28 stands as a triumphant declaration, marking the definitive and complete subjugation of the Midianite oppressors before the children of Israel. This pivotal verse not only signifies the immediate cessation of the prolonged Midianite threat but also heralds a profound and enduring period of peace and tranquility for the land, a much-needed respite that spanned forty years under the leadership of Gideon. It powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in delivering His people and establishing a season of national rest after a period of intense distress and humiliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 8:28 serves as the climactic conclusion to the extensive narrative of Gideon's campaign against Midian, which unfolds from [Judges 6](/judges/6 "Judges 6 - Gideon's Call") through [Judges 8](/judges/8 "Judges 8 - Gideon's Victory and Aftermath"). The preceding verses meticulously detail Gideon's relentless pursuit of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, following the miraculous victory achieved by his 300 men against the vast Midianite army in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Army and Battle"). Gideon's unwavering resolve to avenge his slain brothers and utterly dismantle Midian's power is highlighted by his refusal to cease the pursuit until the kings were captured and executed. Therefore, this verse signifies the absolute completion of the military campaign, moving beyond the initial battlefield triumph to the final, comprehensive eradication of Midianite leadership and their capacity to oppress Israel. It effectively closes this major narrative arc, setting the stage for the subsequent accounts of Gideon's later life and the challenges that would eventually emerge, even during this period of peace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The era of the Judges was characterized by a recurring cycle of Israelite apostasy, divine judgment in the form of foreign oppression, the people's cry for deliverance, and God raising up a judge to provide salvation and rest. Midian, a formidable nomadic people from the eastern desert regions, had inflicted particularly severe oppression upon Israel, systematically raiding their harvests and livestock, forcing them to seek refuge in caves and strongholds, and consequently impoverishing the land, as vividly depicted in [Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1-6 "Judges 6:1-6 - Midianite Oppression"). Their strategic use of camels provided a significant tactical advantage, enabling swift and devastating raids. The mention of "forty years" of peace in this verse is a common biblical idiom, often representing a complete generation or a significant, divinely appointed period. This signifies that the Midianite threat was not merely repelled but entirely neutralized for the duration of Gideon's effective leadership, ushering in a profound and lasting peace. This peace encompassed not only the absence of warfare but also a return to national stability, economic recovery, and the restoration of Israel's dignity, allowing them to "lift up their heads" free from the constant fear and humiliation of foreign domination.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Judges and the broader Old Testament narrative. Central among these is the theme of **Divine Deliverance**, where God, through His chosen instrument, orchestrates a complete and unequivocal victory for His people, thereby demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, even when Israel's actions render them undeserving, as highlighted in [Judges 6:7-10](/judges/6-7-10 "Judges 6:7-10 - God's Message to Israel"). The vivid phrase "Midian subdued... so that they lifted up their heads no more" powerfully portrays the **End of Oppression** and the restoration of dignity and freedom to Israel, a recurring motif that follows each major divine intervention and deliverance, as seen in passages like [Judges 3:11](/judges/3-11 "Judges 3:11 - Othniel's Peace"). The subsequent declaration of "forty years" of quietness emphatically underscores the theme of **God-given Rest and Peace**, a precious gift that directly follows divine intervention and provides the nation with an essential period for recovery and flourishing. This extended period of peace also highlights the **Role of the Judge** as a divinely appointed deliverer, whose leadership, though imperfect, brings about a crucial season of stability and order for the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Subdued (Hebrew, _kānaʻ'_):** The Hebrew verb כָּנַע (H3665, _kānaʻ'_) means "to bend the knee," "to humiliate," or "to vanquish." In the context of Judges 8:28, it signifies a complete and utter defeat, not merely in a military sense but extending to the very spirit and power of Midian. This implies that Midian was not just beaten; they were broken, their capacity to rise again as a dominant force against Israel utterly extinguished. The term suggests a profound psychological and political subjugation that went far beyond the battlefield.
* **Quietness (Hebrew, _shâqaṭ'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁקַט (H8252, _shâqaṭ'_) means "to repose," "to be quiet," "to be undisturbed," or "to be at rest." It describes a deep, pervasive, and lasting peace that settled over the land of Israel. This "quietness" was a direct and profound result of the complete subjugation of Midian, signifying freedom from the harassment, fear, and economic devastation that had plagued Israel for years under Midianite oppression. It highlights the profound impact of God's deliverance on the daily lives and well-being of the Israelites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel":** This opening clause directly attributes the victory and the complete humbling of Midian to God's work through the children of Israel. The use of "subdued" (kānaʻ) emphasizes the decisive and irreversible nature of Midian's defeat, indicating that their power and threat were utterly broken. It underscores that this was not a temporary setback for Midian but a permanent cessation of their dominance over Israel, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in their deliverance.
* **"so that they lifted up their heads no more.":** This vivid, idiomatic phrase powerfully conveys the absolute and lasting nature of Midian's defeat. To "lift up one's head" signifies pride, defiance, and a posture of power or resurgence. The inability to do so means they were utterly crushed, their spirit broken, and their capacity to wage war or oppress Israel eliminated. This speaks to a comprehensive psychological and political victory as much as a military one, ensuring no resurgence of Midianite aggression for the foreseeable future.
* **"And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.":** This final clause specifies both the duration and the quality of the peace that followed Gideon's decisive victory. "Quietness" (shâqaṭ) denotes a state of profound rest, tranquility, and freedom from disturbance, signifying a period of national recovery and stability. The "forty years" is a common biblical number signifying a complete generation or a significant, extended period, indicating that this peace was comprehensive and lasted throughout Gideon's effective leadership as judge, providing a much-needed era of stability and recovery for the nation of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 8:28 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The phrase "so that they lifted up their heads no more" functions as a powerful **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the physical act of "lifting up heads" represents the broader concepts of pride, defiance, and military resurgence. This vivid imagery effectively communicates the total and permanent breaking of Midian's power and spirit. The declaration of "forty years" of quietness operates as **Hyperbole** or a **Round Number**, signifying a complete generation or a significant, extended period of peace rather than a precise chronological count, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive and enduring nature of the rest Israel experienced. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Culmination** within the broader narrative of Gideon, providing a definitive and satisfying closure to the long and arduous story arc of Midianite oppression. Ultimately, the verse serves as a concise yet impactful **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the profound impact and lasting legacy of Gideon's divinely empowered deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 8:28 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to deliver His people from oppression, even when their unfaithfulness leads them into distress. The complete subjugation of Midian and the subsequent forty years of peace underscore the divine pattern of judgment followed by mercy, demonstrating that God's ultimate desire is for His people to live in security and rest. This verse highlights that true peace is a gift from God, achieved not merely through human strength or cunning, but through His sovereign intervention and the obedience of His chosen instruments. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is the ultimate source of victory and tranquility, capable of silencing even the most formidable enemies and ushering in seasons of profound rest for His beloved.

* [Judges 3:11](/judges/3-11 "Judges 3:11 - Othniel's Peace") - "And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died."
* [Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - Ehud's Peace") - "So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years."
* [Psalm 46:9](/psalm/46-9 "Psalm 46:9 - God Makes Wars Cease") - "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 8:28 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even after prolonged periods of struggle, oppression, or spiritual warfare, God is capable of bringing about complete victory and ushering in seasons of profound peace and rest. Just as Israel experienced "quietness" after Midian's defeat, we can trust that God will provide respite and tranquility in our lives when we lean on His strength for deliverance. This verse calls us to recognize God as our ultimate deliverer, to cherish the periods of peace He grants, and to use these times for spiritual renewal and growth, rather than complacency. It also teaches us the lasting impact of decisive spiritual victories; when God truly subdues an enemy or breaks a stronghold, its effects can bring long-term freedom and stability, allowing us to "lift up our heads" in renewed hope and confidence in Him. This encourages us to actively seek God's intervention in our struggles, knowing that His deliverance is complete and His peace is enduring.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Midianites" or oppressive forces in my life am I trusting God to subdue, and how might I need to participate in His strategy for deliverance?**
* **How do I steward the seasons of "quietness" or peace that God grants me, ensuring they lead to spiritual growth rather than complacency?**
* **In what ways has God brought a "lasting peace" into my life after a period of intense struggle, and how can I remember and celebrate those deliverances?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "forty years" of quietness in Judges 8:28?**

Answer: The "forty years" mentioned in Judges 8:28 is a common numerical motif in the Bible, often signifying a complete generation, a significant period of testing, or a divinely appointed, comprehensive span of time. In this specific context, it indicates that the peace Israel experienced under Gideon's leadership was thorough and enduring, effectively neutralizing the Midianite threat for that entire generation and lasting throughout Gideon's lifetime as judge. It emphasizes the completeness of God's deliverance and the profound, lasting impact of Gideon's victory, ensuring a period of national stability and recovery from the severe oppression described in [Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1-6 "Judges 6:1-6 - Midianite Oppression"). This recurring motif of rest after deliverance is a key theme throughout the book of Judges, highlighting God's faithfulness to provide respite when His people turn to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 8:28, with its declaration of the complete subjugation of an oppressive enemy and the ushering in of profound peace, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and eternal work of Jesus Christ. Just as Gideon, a divinely appointed deliverer, subdued Midian and brought forty years of quietness to Israel, so Jesus, the greater Judge and Deliverer, came to utterly subdue the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil. His decisive victory on the cross, as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers"), disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, ensuring they "lifted up their heads no more" in their dominion over believers. Through Christ's finished work, believers are granted a peace that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")), a spiritual "quietness" that is eternal and not merely for a limited period like forty years. He is our true rest, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find solace in Him ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me and I Will Give You Rest")). Jesus has definitively overcome the world and its trials ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")), and through Him, we receive lasting deliverance and an enduring peace that is the very foundation of the New Covenant, entering into His eternal Sabbath rest ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")).

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

Judges 5:31

So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but [let] them that love him [be] as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Judges 3:11

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

Psalms 83:9

¶ Do unto them as [unto] the Midianites; as [to] Sisera, as [to] Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

Psalms 83:12

Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

Isaiah 9:4

For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

Judges 3:30

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

Isaiah 10:26

And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and [as] his rod [was] upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.