Judges 8:14 - He caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and its elders, seventy-seven men.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Judges 8:14" mean?
This verse from Judges 8:14 is part of the story of Gideon's pursuit of the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna after a major victory. Let's break down the verse and its significance:
"He caught a young man of the men of Succoth...": Gideon is chasing the Midianite army. He needs information and help from the Israelite towns along the way. He encounters a young man from Succoth.
"...and inquired of him...": Gideon asks the young man for information. We know from the previous verses that Gideon had asked the men of Succoth for food for his exhausted troops, but they had refused.
"...and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and its elders, seventy-seven men.": This is the crucial part. The young man provides Gideon with a list, or description, of the leaders of Succoth: specifically, the princes (likely meaning important officials) and elders. The number 77 is given, indicating the size of the ruling council or leadership group in Succoth.
Meaning and Significance:
1. Context of Revenge: Gideon had previously requested food from the people of Succoth to sustain his army while pursuing the Midianites. They refused, fearing retaliation from the Midianites if Gideon failed. Gideon vowed to punish them after he defeated the Midianites. The information gained from the young man is critical for Gideon to identify and punish those who refused to help.
2. Precise Identification: The young man providing the specific names of the leaders of Succoth is important. It shows that Gideon intended to hold the specific individuals who were responsible for the refusal accountable, not to punish the entire town indiscriminately.
3. Justice and Accountability: This verse sets the stage for Gideon's later actions. After defeating the Midianites, he returns to Succoth and punishes the leaders he had identified, demonstrating his commitment to keeping his word and punishing those who refused to support their fellow Israelites in a time of need. Gideon then teaches the men of Succoth with thorns and briers of the wilderness.
4. Lack of Solidarity: The refusal of Succoth to help Gideon highlights a lack of solidarity among the Israelites. They prioritized their own safety and possessions over helping their brothers defeat a common enemy. This lack of unity was a recurring problem in the Book of Judges.
In essence, this verse is a key turning point in the story, providing Gideon with the information he needs to carry out his promised punishment on the leaders of Succoth for their lack of support and faith.
Judges 8:14 - He caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and its elders, seventy-seven men.
What does "Judges 8:14" mean?
This verse from Judges 8:14 is part of the story of Gideon's pursuit of the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna after a major victory. Let's break down the verse and its significance:
"He caught a young man of the men of Succoth...": Gideon is chasing the Midianite army. He needs information and help from the Israelite towns along the way. He encounters a young man from Succoth.
"...and inquired of him...": Gideon asks the young man for information. We know from the previous verses that Gideon had asked the men of Succoth for food for his exhausted troops, but they had refused.
"...and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and its elders, seventy-seven men.": This is the crucial part. The young man provides Gideon with a list, or description, of the leaders of Succoth: specifically, the princes (likely meaning important officials) and elders. The number 77 is given, indicating the size of the ruling council or leadership group in Succoth.
Meaning and Significance:
1. Context of Revenge: Gideon had previously requested food from the people of Succoth to sustain his army while pursuing the Midianites. They refused, fearing retaliation from the Midianites if Gideon failed. Gideon vowed to punish them after he defeated the Midianites. The information gained from the young man is critical for Gideon to identify and punish those who refused to help.
2. Precise Identification: The young man providing the specific names of the leaders of Succoth is important. It shows that Gideon intended to hold the specific individuals who were responsible for the refusal accountable, not to punish the entire town indiscriminately.
3. Justice and Accountability: This verse sets the stage for Gideon's later actions. After defeating the Midianites, he returns to Succoth and punishes the leaders he had identified, demonstrating his commitment to keeping his word and punishing those who refused to support their fellow Israelites in a time of need. Gideon then teaches the men of Succoth with thorns and briers of the wilderness.
4. Lack of Solidarity: The refusal of Succoth to help Gideon highlights a lack of solidarity among the Israelites. They prioritized their own safety and possessions over helping their brothers defeat a common enemy. This lack of unity was a recurring problem in the Book of Judges.
In essence, this verse is a key turning point in the story, providing Gideon with the information he needs to carry out his promised punishment on the leaders of Succoth for their lack of support and faith.