Judges 8:30

KJV

And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Gideon {H1439} had threescore and ten {H7657} sons {H1121} of his body {H3409} begotten {H3318}: for he had many {H7227} wives {H802}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Gid'on became the father of seventy sons, because he had many wives.

Berean Standard Bible

Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives.

American Standard Version

And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten; for he had many wives.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 8:30 provides a succinct yet profoundly significant insight into the private life of Gideon, Israel's deliverer from Midian, immediately following his public triumphs. It reveals that despite his refusal of kingship, Gideon amassed a large personal household, fathering seventy sons from numerous wives. This verse serves as a critical bridge, transitioning from Gideon's divine calling and military victories to the complex and ultimately tragic domestic consequences of his choices, setting the stage for the tumultuous events that unfold in the subsequent chapter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the conclusion of Gideon's narrative, following his decisive victory over the Midianites, detailed in [Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory"), and his notable refusal of the people's offer to establish a dynastic kingship over Israel, recorded in [Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship"). While Gideon explicitly states that "the Lord shall rule over you," his actions, including the creation of a golden ephod that became a snare for Israel, as described in [Judges 8:27 - The Ephod's Snare](/judges/8-27 "The Ephod's Snare"), and the extensive family described in this verse, subtly undermine his stated theological position. Judges 8:30 directly foreshadows the violent power struggle initiated by his son Abimelech, who sought to eliminate his brothers and seize power, demonstrating the destructive legacy of Gideon's choices that unfolds in [Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a large progeny, especially of sons, was often seen as a sign of blessing, power, and status, ensuring the continuation of a family line and its influence. Polygamy, while not the ideal presented in the creation narrative of [Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union"), was a common practice among powerful men in this period, though it frequently led to internal strife, jealousy, and succession disputes within households. For Israel, while the Mosaic Law did not explicitly forbid polygamy for the general populace, it placed restrictions on kings regarding the accumulation of wives, recognizing the potential for distraction and apostasy, as seen in [Deuteronomy 17:17 - Restrictions on Kings](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Restrictions on Kings"). Gideon's actions, therefore, while culturally understandable for a man of his stature, carried inherent risks and deviated from the spirit of God's ideal for leadership and family.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 8:30 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Book of Judges. It highlights the **human imperfection amidst divine calling**, illustrating that even God's chosen deliverers are fallible and their personal choices can have far-reaching, negative consequences. Gideon's extensive family, born of "many wives," introduces the theme of **polygamy and its implications**, directly leading to the dynastic conflict and bloodshed of [Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign"). This verse also underscores the **cyclical nature of Israel's apostasy and decline** described in Judges, as the people's desire for human leadership and the leaders' own flawed choices perpetuate a cycle of instability, even after periods of divine deliverance. Gideon's personal choices, particularly his marital practices, set the stage for the very kind of internal strife and ungodly ambition that plagued Israel in the absence of a righteous king, fulfilling the book's overarching message that "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seventy (Hebrew, _shiv'im'_):** This number, "threescore and ten" in the KJV, signifies an exceptionally numerous progeny for a single individual in that era. In biblical numerology, seven often denotes completeness or perfection, and seventy (7x10) can amplify this, suggesting a full and perhaps overwhelming extent of something. In Gideon's case, it emphasizes the vastness of his direct male descendants, which, rather than being a pure blessing, becomes a source of future conflict and instability.
* **body (Hebrew, _yârêk'_):** Literally meaning "thigh," this term is used euphemistically here to refer to the generative parts, signifying direct, biological fatherhood. The phrase "of his body begotten" emphasizes that these seventy sons were Gideon's legitimate, biological offspring, distinguishing them from adopted children or other male members of a large household. This detail is crucial for establishing the legitimacy of the sons as heirs and members of Gideon's lineage, making the subsequent fratricide by Abimelech even more heinous and a direct assault on Gideon's legacy and family line.
* **wives (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** This word, appearing with the adjective "many" (Hebrew, _rab_ - H7227), explicitly states Gideon's practice of polygamy. The Hebrew word _rab_ means "abundant" or "numerous," indicating that Gideon had multiple wives, not just a concubine (as mentioned in Judges 8:31). This practice, while common in the ancient Near East, often led to complex family dynamics, rivalries among wives, and disputes over inheritance and succession among children, as tragically demonstrated in Gideon's own family. It stands in contrast to the divine ideal of monogamy established at creation and foreshadows the problems associated with similar practices among later Israelite kings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Gideon had threescore and ten sons":** This clause immediately highlights the remarkable number of Gideon's male offspring. Seventy sons indicate a vast household and significant personal power and influence in ancient Israelite society, where male heirs were paramount for lineage and inheritance. This large number also immediately signals a potential for future dynastic issues, especially given the lack of a clear succession plan or a divinely appointed monarchy.
* **"of his body begotten":** This phrase clarifies that these seventy sons were Gideon's direct biological descendants. It emphasizes their legitimate claim to his lineage and potential inheritance, making the subsequent actions of Abimelech, who murders all but one of them, an act of extreme violence against his own family and a devastating blow to Gideon's legacy.
* **"for he had many wives":** This final clause provides the explanation for Gideon's numerous progeny. It explicitly states that Gideon practiced polygamy, indicating a lifestyle consistent with powerful rulers of the time, even though he had refused the title of king. This choice, while culturally accepted, was a deviation from God's original design for marriage and often introduced strife and competition into a family, directly contributing to the tragic events that follow Gideon's death.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 8:30 employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the sheer number of sons from "many wives" immediately signals potential for future conflict and instability, which indeed erupts in the very next chapter with Abimelech's murderous ambition. The verse also contains a subtle **irony**: Gideon refused the title of king, yet his lifestyle, marked by a large harem and numerous heirs, mimicked that of a powerful monarch, creating the very dynastic problem he ostensibly rejected. This highlights the **contrast** between Gideon's pious words ("the Lord shall rule over you") and his worldly actions, revealing a deep inconsistency in his character that ultimately led to tragic consequences for his family and for Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 8:30, though brief, is profoundly significant in its theological implications, revealing the persistent human tendency to deviate from God's ideal, even among those chosen for divine service. Gideon, a deliverer raised by God, ultimately succumbs to cultural norms and personal desires that contradict the spirit of God's law and the principles of righteous leadership. His accumulation of many wives and sons, while perhaps a sign of blessing in a worldly sense, directly contributes to the internal strife and bloodshed that plague Israel after his death, demonstrating that human choices, even seemingly private ones, can have devastating public and spiritual consequences. This verse underscores the Book of Judges' recurring theme that when there is no king in Israel (or when human leaders fail to truly follow God's kingship), "everyone did what was right in his own eyes," leading to moral decay and societal chaos.

* [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "King's Prohibition on Many Wives")
* [Judges 9:1-6](/judges/9-1-6 "Abimelech's Treachery and Murder of Brothers")
* [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1-8 "Solomon's Wives and Apostasy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 8:30 stands as a stark reminder that even those who experience profound divine favor and achieve great things for God can harbor significant personal flaws and make choices that have detrimental long-term effects. Gideon's extensive family, born of many wives, was not merely a private matter but directly contributed to the violent power struggles that followed his death. This teaches us the critical lesson that integrity and adherence to God's standards are not just for our public ministries but must permeate every aspect of our lives, including our most intimate family decisions. Our personal choices, even those considered culturally acceptable, can have unforeseen consequences that ripple through generations, impacting our legacy and the well-being of those around us. It challenges us to examine areas where we might compromise God's ideal for worldly gain or cultural conformity, reminding us that true blessing comes from wholehearted obedience and alignment with His revealed will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our personal choices, particularly in family and relationships, impact our spiritual legacy or the well-being of future generations?**
* **How can we discern between cultural norms that are harmless and those that subtly compromise God's ideal for our lives?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Gideon's life about the importance of finishing well and maintaining integrity in all areas, even after significant spiritual victories?**

### FAQ

**Was polygamy forbidden in ancient Israel according to Mosaic Law?**

Answer: While the Mosaic Law did not explicitly forbid polygamy for the general populace, it certainly did not promote it as the ideal. The creation account in [Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union") establishes monogamy as God's original design for marriage, where "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Furthermore, the Law placed specific restrictions on kings, explicitly warning them not to multiply wives for themselves ([Deuteronomy 17:17 - King's Restrictions on Wives](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - King's Restrictions on Wives")), recognizing the potential for distraction, division, and turning the king's heart away from God. Throughout biblical history, polygamous relationships, such as those of Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon, consistently led to jealousy, strife, and complex family problems, demonstrating the practical difficulties and spiritual pitfalls associated with the practice.

**Why is the detail about Gideon's seventy sons and many wives so important to the narrative of Judges?**

Answer: This seemingly simple detail is critically important because it sets the stage for the tragic events of [Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign"). Gideon's refusal of kingship in [Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship](/judges/8-23 "Gideon Refuses Kingship") was commendable, but his subsequent lifestyle, including his many wives and large progeny, mimicked that of a powerful monarch, creating a de facto dynasty. This multitude of sons, legitimate heirs, became a breeding ground for power struggles. His son Abimelech, born of a concubine, ruthlessly murders all but one of his seventy half-brothers to seize power, directly illustrating the disastrous consequences of Gideon's choices and the inherent instability introduced by polygamy and the pursuit of worldly status. It highlights the recurring theme in Judges of Israel's internal decay and the failure of human leadership in the absence of true devotion to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Gideon's extensive progeny and the subsequent violent unraveling of his family in Judges 8:30 and [Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign") powerfully underscore the inherent failures of human leadership and the brokenness of human attempts to establish lasting peace and order. Gideon, despite being a divinely appointed deliverer, could not establish a righteous and stable legacy through his own means, particularly through the culturally accepted but divinely problematic practice of polygamy. His "dynasty" was one of strife and bloodshed, ultimately failing to bring true rest to Israel. This narrative points forward to the ultimate and perfect King, Jesus Christ. Unlike Gideon, who fathered many sons from many wives, Jesus' lineage is pure and singular, tracing back to David and ultimately to God Himself, as seen in the [genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus"). He does not establish a kingdom through human procreation or worldly power struggles, but through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and resurrection. Jesus is the true "Son of David" ([Matthew 22:42 - Son of David](/matthew/22-42 "Matthew 22:42 - Son of David")), the one who establishes an eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace, not through the proliferation of human heirs, but through the spiritual regeneration of believers, making them "children of God" ([John 1:12 - Children of God](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")) by grace through faith. The failures of Gideon's household vividly illustrate the desperate need for the true Lamb of God, who alone can bring lasting peace and establish a perfect, eternal family for God, a multitude from every nation, as prophesied in [Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude from Every Nation](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude from Every Nation").

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 9:5

And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, [being] threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

Judges 9:2

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether [is] better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, [which are] threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I [am] your bone and your flesh.

Deuteronomy 17:17

Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

1 Kings 11:3

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

2 Kings 10:1

¶ And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's [children], saying,

Judges 12:9

And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, [whom] he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.

Matthew 19:5

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?