Judges 8:7

KJV

And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Gideon {H1439} said {H559}, Therefore when the LORD {H3068} hath delivered {H5414} Zebah {H2078} and Zalmunna {H6759} into mine hand {H3027}, then I will tear {H1758} your flesh {H1320} with the thorns {H6975} of the wilderness {H4057} and with briers {H1303}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Gid'on said: "If that's your answer, then after ADONAI has put Zevach and Tzalmuna in my hands, I will tear your flesh apart with desert thorns and thistles!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Very well,” Gideon replied, “when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness!”

American Standard Version

And Gideon said, Therefore when Jehovah hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 8:7 powerfully encapsulates Gideon's unwavering resolve and stern warning to the uncooperative leaders of Succoth. Following his miraculous victory over the Midianites, Gideon was in relentless pursuit of their remaining kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. When the men of Succoth scoffed at his request for vital provisions for his exhausted army, refusing to support his divinely appointed mission, Gideon declared that upon his successful return, when the Lord had delivered the kings into his hand, he would inflict a brutal and humiliating punishment upon them, using thorns and briers from the wilderness to "thresh" or "tear" their flesh. This severe vow underscores the profound consequences of disloyalty and lack of faith within the covenant community, especially when God's deliverance is actively unfolding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 8:7 is situated immediately after Gideon's astonishing, divinely empowered victory over the vast Midianite army with only 300 men, a narrative detailed in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory Over Midian"). Despite this decisive triumph, the two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, had escaped, leading a remnant of their forces. Gideon, driven by an unyielding commitment to complete the deliverance of Israel, embarks on a strenuous pursuit. As his small, exhausted army passes through Israelite towns, he encounters a shocking lack of support from Succoth and Penuel. Their refusal to provide food and aid, despite the clear evidence of God's hand with Gideon, exposes a profound internal faithlessness and disunity within Israel. This verse specifically records Gideon's fiery and direct response to Succoth's contempt, foreshadowing the harsh justice he will administer upon his victorious return, as subsequently fulfilled in [Judges 8:16](/judges/8-16 "Judges 8:16 - Gideon's Punishment of Succoth").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The era of the Judges was characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, and divine deliverance, often marked by significant disunity and internal strife among the Israelite tribes. Tribal loyalties and self-preservation could, at times, override national or spiritual solidarity, particularly when facing external threats or internal demands. The leaders of Succoth and Penuel likely feared Midianite reprisal if Gideon failed, prioritizing their immediate safety over their covenant obligation to support a fellow Israelite leader engaged in God's war. This fear, coupled with a palpable lack of faith in Yahweh's ongoing work through Gideon, led to their refusal. The promised punishment—to "tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers"—reflects the brutal nature of ancient Near Eastern justice. Such acts were not merely punitive but served as a stark public lesson, asserting authority and deterring future insubordination through public humiliation and physical torture, often involving agricultural implements or natural elements.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully highlights several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **consequences of disloyalty and lack of faith** within the covenant community. Succoth's refusal to aid Gideon is a direct affront to God's work of deliverance, echoing earlier instances of Israel's unfaithfulness and the subsequent oppression they faced (e.g., [Judges 2:11-15](/judges/2-11-15 "Judges 2:11-15 - Israel's Apostasy and Oppression")). Secondly, it showcases **Gideon's unwavering resolve and commitment** to God's mission, even in the face of internal opposition. His declaration, "when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand," is a testament to his absolute conviction in God's ultimate victory, despite the immediate challenges. This resolve contrasts sharply with the timidity and cynicism of Succoth. Finally, the severity of Gideon's promised punishment illustrates the **harsh realities of justice in the era of the Judges**, where divine judgment could be administered through human agents, often with brutal physical consequences for those who opposed God's will or His chosen leaders, as seen in other instances of retribution within the book (e.g., [Judges 1:6-7](/judges/1-6-7 "Judges 1:6-7 - Adoni-Bezek's Retribution")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tear (Hebrew, _dûwsh'_):** From H1758, this verb literally means "to trample or thresh." In agricultural contexts, it describes the process of separating grain from chaff by trampling or beating stalks. When applied to human flesh, as it is here, it suggests a violent, crushing, and lacerating action, akin to being dragged or pressed over sharp, abrasive objects. It implies a painful, public, and degrading punishment, signifying not merely a simple tearing but a thorough breaking and bruising of the body, often with the intent to "teach a lesson."
* **flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** From H1320, this term refers to "flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person." In this context, it emphasizes the physical body as the object of the promised punishment. The tearing of "flesh" signifies a deeply personal, humiliating, and agonizing ordeal, targeting the very physical being of the elders of Succoth and exposing their vulnerability.
* **thorns (Hebrew, _qôwts'_):** From H6975, this word denotes "a thorn" or prickly plant. Thorns are abundant in wilderness areas and are known for their sharp, piercing nature. Their specific mention emphasizes the painful and lacerating quality of the punishment, implying multiple punctures and tears to the skin, intensifying the imagery of suffering and degradation. The use of natural, readily available, and painful elements from the wilderness underscores the raw, unrefined nature of the retribution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand":** This opening clause reveals Gideon's absolute certainty in God's sovereignty and his own impending victory. His declaration is not a mere idle threat but a divinely predicated promise, demonstrating his profound faith that the capture of the Midianite kings is entirely dependent on the Lord's action. This phrase establishes the condition for the promised punishment, directly linking its execution to God's successful completion of the mission through Gideon, emphasizing divine enablement over human strength.
* **"then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers":** This is Gideon's explicit vow of retribution against the leaders of Succoth. The imagery is starkly graphic and brutal, promising a painful, humiliating, and potentially fatal punishment. The use of "thorns of the wilderness and with briers" suggests a method of torture or execution involving dragging the elders of Succoth over thorny bushes or pressing them under such implements, causing severe lacerations, public degradation, and immense suffering. It signifies a "lesson" in the most visceral sense, designed to impress upon them the gravity of their disloyalty and the dire consequences of obstructing God's work.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs vivid **Imagery** to convey the brutality of Gideon's promised punishment, painting a visceral picture of flesh being torn by sharp thorns and briers. This sensory detail evokes a strong emotional response, emphasizing the severity of the retribution and the physical pain involved. Gideon's statement also functions as a powerful **Vow** or **Oath**, underscoring his unwavering resolve and the certainty of the impending judgment. This is not a casual remark but a solemn declaration of future action. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **Foreshadowing**, as Gideon's words explicitly predict the future action he will take against the men of Succoth, which is subsequently fulfilled in [Judges 8:16](/judges/8-16 "Judges 8:16 - Gideon's Punishment of Succoth"). The stark contrast between Gideon's faith-fueled pursuit and Succoth's cynical refusal also highlights a thematic **Juxtaposition** between loyalty to God's mission and self-preservation, showcasing the moral and spiritual divide within Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 8:7 serves as a stark reminder that while God's deliverance is miraculous and sovereign, human responsibility and loyalty remain paramount within the covenant. The refusal of Succoth to support Gideon's divinely appointed mission is not merely a logistical failure but a profound act of faithlessness and disloyalty to the Lord's ongoing work of salvation for Israel. This incident highlights the principle that those who hinder God's purposes or fail to support His chosen instruments will face severe consequences, even from within the community of faith. It underscores that God's work often requires the active participation and support of His people, and indifference, cynicism, or active opposition can be met with divine displeasure, sometimes administered through human agents in ways that reflect the severity of the offense against God's plan.

* [Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3-6 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion for Lack of Hospitality") - Illustrates the principle of exclusion and curse for those who fail to show hospitality or actively oppose Israel's journey, especially during times of divine mission.
* [Judges 8:16](/judges/8-16 "Judges 8:16 - Gideon's Punishment of Succoth") - Records the direct fulfillment of Gideon's vow, demonstrating the certainty and severity of the promised judgment, underscoring God's commitment to seeing His purposes through.
* [Proverbs 11:25](/proverbs/11-25 "Proverbs 11:25 - The Generous Soul") - Contrasts the spirit of generosity and support with the self-serving attitude of Succoth, highlighting the blessing associated with giving and the spiritual barrenness of withholding.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 8:7 challenges contemporary believers to examine their own posture towards God's ongoing work in the world. Just as the men of Succoth prioritized their immediate comfort and perceived safety over supporting Gideon's divinely ordained mission, we can be tempted to withhold our resources, time, or encouragement from ministries and individuals God is using, especially when the path seems difficult, inconvenient, or the outcome uncertain. This verse is a powerful call to active participation and faithful support, reminding us that apathy, cynicism, or disloyalty can hinder the advancement of God's kingdom and incur spiritual consequences. It compels us to ask: Are we truly committed to seeing God's purposes fulfilled, even when it demands personal sacrifice, confronts our fears, or requires us to step out of our comfort zones? Do we stand in solidarity with those whom God has raised up, providing the necessary support, or do we stand aloof, risking the spiritual repercussions of indifference? Ultimately, it encourages a spirit of courageous faith and unwavering commitment to God's mission, recognizing that our support (or lack thereof) has eternal implications.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be withholding support or resources from God's work today, perhaps out of fear, comfort, or apathy, rather than actively participating?**
* **How does Gideon's unwavering resolve, despite opposition from his own people, challenge my own commitment and faithfulness to God's mission in the face of internal or external obstacles?**
* **What are the "thorns and briers" (metaphorically speaking) that might be used to "teach a lesson" to those who resist or neglect God's call to participate in His kingdom work, highlighting the consequences of spiritual indifference?**

### FAQ
**Why was Gideon's punishment of Succoth so harsh?**

Answer: Gideon's punishment of Succoth, though seemingly brutal by modern standards, was a reflection of the severe justice prevalent in the ancient Near East and the gravity of their offense within the covenant community. The men of Succoth were not merely unhospitable; they actively scorned and refused to support Gideon and his exhausted army, who were engaged in a divinely appointed mission to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. Their actions demonstrated a profound lack of faith in God's power and a disloyalty to the covenant, effectively hindering the Lord's work and showing contempt for His chosen deliverer. The "threshing" with thorns and briers was a public, humiliating, and painful act designed to "teach them a lesson" about the consequences of their insubordination and to reassert the authority of God's chosen leader. This act, fulfilled in [Judges 8:16](/judges/8-16 "Judges 8:16 - Gideon's Punishment of Succoth"), underscored that obstructing God's will carried severe repercussions within the tribal society of Israel, emphasizing the importance of national unity and faithfulness to Yahweh's purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Gideon's actions in [Judges 8:7](/judges/8-7 "Judges 8:7 - Gideon's Vow Against Succoth") reflect the harsh, retributive justice of the Old Covenant era, they ultimately point to the perfect justice and redemptive work of Christ. Gideon, as a deliverer, acted as an instrument of God's judgment against those who opposed His will, foreshadowing the ultimate Judge who will separate the sheep from the goats ([Matthew 25:31-33](/matthew/25-31-33 "Matthew 25:31-33 - The Judgment of the Nations")). Yet, unlike Gideon's physical retribution, Christ's work primarily involves a spiritual "threshing" of sin and death, not through inflicting pain *on* His people, but by enduring it *for* them. The "thorns" that Gideon promised to use on Succoth find their ultimate, redemptive echo in the crown of thorns placed upon Jesus' head ([Matthew 27:29](/matthew/27-29 "Matthew 27:29 - The Crown of Thorns")), symbolizing the curse and suffering He bore to deliver humanity from the consequences of its own spiritual disloyalty and rebellion. Through His sacrifice, Christ became the ultimate deliverer, not by punishing those who refuse Him with physical pain, but by offering forgiveness and new life, inviting all to partake in His victory over sin and death, a victory far greater than any earthly triumph ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering grace where the law brought judgment and reconciliation where there was once alienation ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Ministry of Reconciliation")).

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 7:15

And it was [so], when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.