Judges 8:32

KJV

And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Gideon {H1439} the son {H1121} of Joash {H3101} died {H4191} in a good {H2896} old age {H7872}, and was buried {H6912} in the sepulchre {H6913} of Joash {H3101} his father {H1}, in Ophrah {H6084} of the Abiezrites {H33}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Gid'on the son of Yo'ash died at a ripe old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Yo'ash, in 'Ofrah of the Avi'ezri.

Berean Standard Bible

Later, Gideon son of Joash died at a ripe old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

American Standard Version

And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 8:32 succinctly records the peaceful death and burial of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, marking the conclusion of his significant, albeit complex, tenure as one of Israel's judges. This verse signifies the end of a period of relative peace and stability for Israel under his leadership, emphasizing his longevity and his return to his ancestral home, Ophrah, within the tribal territory of the Abiezrites. It serves as a narrative bookend to Gideon's story, setting the stage for the tumultuous events that immediately follow in the Book of Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 8:32 provides a concluding summary to the extensive narrative of Gideon's judgeship, which began in [Judges 6](/judges/6 "Judges 6 - Gideon's Call") and spanned several chapters. Immediately preceding this verse, Gideon had refused the offer of kingship from the Israelites, declaring that "the Lord shall rule over you" ([Judges 8:23](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship")). However, his subsequent actions, particularly the creation of a golden ephod that became a spiritual snare for Israel and his own household, are highlighted in [Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Judges 8:27 - Gideon's Ephod Becomes a Snare"). This verse, therefore, encapsulates the finality of his life and leadership, drawing a curtain on a complex figure who brought deliverance but also introduced elements of spiritual compromise, foreshadowing the moral decline that characterizes much of the rest of the Book of Judges.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BCE) was a transitional era for Israel, marked by a loose tribal confederacy rather than a centralized monarchy. The phrase "in those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")) aptly describes the socio-political landscape. Judges like Gideon emerged as charismatic, divinely appointed leaders who delivered Israel from foreign oppression, often operating within their specific tribal regions. Burial in the "sepulchre of his father" was a deeply significant cultural practice, emphasizing familial continuity, ancestral land rights, and the importance of being gathered to one's people in death, reflecting a peaceful and honored passing. Ophrah, Gideon's hometown, was located within the territory of the Abiezrites, a clan of the tribe of Manasseh, reinforcing his local identity and tribal roots.
* **Key Themes:** This concluding verse contributes to several overarching themes in Judges. It marks **The End of an Era**, signifying the close of Gideon's specific period of deliverance and the transition to a new phase, often characterized by further cycles of apostasy and oppression. The phrase "died in a good old age" highlights **A Blessed Longevity**, a recurring biblical motif (e.g., [Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Death")) that often indicates divine favor and a life that has run its full course, irrespective of the individual's moral complexities. Furthermore, Gideon's burial in his ancestral land underscores the theme of **Legacy and Lineage**, emphasizing his rootedness in his clan and tribe, even as his immediate legacy would be tragically marred by the actions of his son Abimelech, detailed in [Judges 9](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good old age (Hebrew, _seibah tobah'_):** This phrase signifies a life that has reached its natural, full, and peaceful conclusion. It is a recurring biblical idiom (e.g., [Genesis 15:15](/genesis/15-15 "Genesis 15:15 - Abraham's Promise of Old Age"), [1 Chronicles 29:28](/1_chronicles/29-28 "1 Chronicles 29:28 - David's Death")) that speaks of longevity and a calm passing, often interpreted as a blessing from God. While it does not necessarily imply moral perfection throughout one's life, it contrasts sharply with the violent or untimely deaths of other figures in Judges, suggesting a measure of divine grace and peace granted to Gideon at his end.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Gideon the son of Joash died":** This clause directly states the death of Gideon, identifying him by his paternal lineage, a common practice in ancient Israel that emphasizes family identity and continuity. It marks the definitive end of his active role in the narrative of Israel's judges.
* **"in a good old age":** This phrase describes the manner and timing of Gideon's death. As discussed in the Key Word Analysis, it indicates a natural, peaceful, and long life, often seen as a sign of divine blessing and a full completion of one's earthly course. It contrasts with the violent ends of many other figures in the Book of Judges, highlighting a degree of divine favor upon Gideon even amidst his flaws.
* **"and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father":** This detail specifies Gideon's burial location, emphasizing his return to his ancestral resting place. Burial in the family tomb was a significant cultural practice, signifying honor, continuity of lineage, and a peaceful repose among one's kin. It underscores his rootedness in his family and clan, even after his public role as a judge.
* **"in Ophrah of the Abiezrites":** This final clause provides the precise geographical and tribal location of Gideon's burial. Ophrah was his hometown, and the Abiezrites were his clan within the tribe of Manasseh. This detail firmly grounds Gideon's life and death within his specific tribal identity and territory, reinforcing the localized nature of the judges' authority and the tribal structure of Israel during this period.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 8:32 primarily functions as a **Narrative Summary** and **Conclusion**. It provides a definitive end to Gideon's extensive story, offering a concise wrap-up of his life and passing. The phrase "died in a good old age" employs **Formulaic Language**, echoing similar descriptions of patriarchs and revered figures in biblical literature, which serves to elevate Gideon's stature and underscore a sense of divine blessing on his life's completion. There is also a subtle element of **Irony** or **Foreshadowing** in this peaceful conclusion. While Gideon dies in peace, the subsequent narrative in [Judges 9](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Usurpation") immediately plunges Israel into chaos and internal strife through the actions of his son Abimelech, highlighting the temporary nature of the peace Gideon secured and the persistent moral decay within Israel that even a "good old age" for a judge could not prevent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, marking Gideon's peaceful end, offers a complex theological reflection on God's faithfulness amidst human imperfection. Despite Gideon's significant flaws—his initial hesitancy ([Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Doubts")), his vengeful actions against Succoth and Penuel ([Judges 8:16-17](/judges/8-16 "Judges 8:16-17 - Gideon's Vengeance")), and especially his creation of the idolatrous ephod ([Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Judges 8:27 - The Ephod as a Snare"))—God allowed him to complete his life in peace and honor. This demonstrates God's sovereign use of imperfect vessels to accomplish His purposes and His grace in granting a blessed end even to those who falter. It underscores the theme that divine blessing is not solely contingent on human perfection but often reflects God's covenant faithfulness and His overarching plan for His people. The "good old age" signifies a life lived to its full appointed measure, a gift from God.

* [Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Death in Good Old Age")
* [1 Chronicles 29:28](/1_chronicles/29-28 "1 Chronicles 29:28 - David's Peaceful End")
* [Job 42:17](/job/42-17 "Job 42:17 - Job's Blessed Longevity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Gideon's life, culminating in this verse, offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God often chooses and uses imperfect people to achieve His divine purposes. Despite his moments of doubt, fear, and significant moral failings, Gideon was instrumental in delivering Israel, and he was granted a peaceful end. This should encourage us that our past mistakes or present imperfections do not necessarily disqualify us from God's continued grace and work in our lives. The concept of dying "in a good old age" invites us to consider what it means to finish well—not necessarily without blemish, but with a life that, on the whole, has been lived out in God's overarching plan, culminating in peace. It calls us to reflect on our own legacy and how we are stewarding the time and gifts God has given us, striving for faithfulness and seeking God's grace to complete our race with integrity, even if imperfectly.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Gideon's "good old age" despite his flaws teach us about God's grace and His use of imperfect people?**
* **How does the peaceful end of Gideon contrast with the turbulent events that follow in Judges, and what spiritual lesson can we draw from this contrast?**
* **In what ways can we strive to "finish well" in our own lives, acknowledging both our strengths and our weaknesses before God?**

### FAQ
**Was Gideon truly a "good" judge despite his flaws, given his peaceful death?**

Answer: The biblical narrative presents Gideon as a complex figure. He was undoubtedly a divinely chosen deliverer who brought significant victory and peace to Israel, as affirmed by his inclusion in the "faith hall of fame" in [Hebrews 11:32](/hebrews/11-32 "Hebrews 11:32 - Gideon in the Hall of Faith"). However, the text also honestly records his significant flaws, such as his testing of God ([Judges 6:36-40](/judges/6-36 "Judges 6:36-40 - Gideon's Fleece")), his vengeful actions, and especially his creation of the ephod, which became an idolatrous snare for Israel ([Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Judges 8:27 - The Ephod's Snare")). His "good old age" signifies a life that ran its full course and ended peacefully, often seen as a blessing. It doesn't whitewash his mistakes but rather highlights God's grace in using and sustaining even flawed individuals for His purposes, and granting them a peaceful end. It underscores that God's assessment of a life is holistic and often extends mercy beyond human merit.

**What is the significance of Gideon being buried in his father's sepulchre in Ophrah?**

Answer: This detail is highly significant in ancient Israelite culture. Burial in the family tomb, particularly in one's ancestral land, emphasized several key aspects: **Continuity of Lineage:** It connected the deceased to their ancestors and future generations, reinforcing the importance of family and clan identity. **Land Rights:** It affirmed the family's claim to their inherited land, which was central to Israelite identity and the covenant promises. **Honor and Peace:** A peaceful burial among one's kin was considered an honorable end, contrasting with being unburied or buried in foreign soil. For Gideon, it signifies his deep roots in his community, the Abiezrites of Manasseh, and a peaceful return to the earth from which he came, despite the tumultuous nature of his public life. It also sets the stage for the next chapter, where his son Abimelech's actions directly relate to this very location and lineage ([Judges 9:1-6](/judges/9-1 "Judges 9:1-6 - Abimelech's Usurpation")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 8:32, marking the peaceful end of Gideon's life, subtly points to the greater and ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Gideon, like all judges, was an imperfect, temporary deliverer whose leadership brought only fleeting peace and whose legacy was marred by human failure and the subsequent chaos of his son Abimelech's reign ([Judges 9](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Tyranny")). This highlights Israel's desperate need for a perfect, eternal King, not just a temporary deliverer. Jesus, in contrast to Gideon's flawed leadership and the temporary peace he secured, is the true [Prince of Peace](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace"), whose reign is eternal and whose peace transcends all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). While Gideon died in a "good old age," signifying a full life, Jesus' death was a sacrificial act, not the end of a long life, but the beginning of eternal life for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). His burial was not a return to an ancestral tomb, but a temporary rest before His glorious resurrection, which conquered death itself and secured an eternal inheritance for His people ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection")). Thus, Gideon's peaceful but limited legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the profound and everlasting peace, perfect leadership, and eternal life found only in Christ.

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 25:8

Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full [of years]; and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 15:15

And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

Job 5:26

Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

Judges 6:24

Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it [is] yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Job 42:17

So Job died, [being] old and full of days.

Joshua 24:29

¶ And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, [being] an hundred and ten years old.

Joshua 24:30

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which [is] in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.