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href="/bsb/judges/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So he said to the men of Peniel, &#8220When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So he said to the people of Peniel, “After I return in victory, I will tear down this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to the men of Penuel, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Gideon told the men of Penuel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So he also spoke to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come back in peace, I will tear down this tower!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he said also to the men of Penuel, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, &#8220When I return safely, I will tear down this tower.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Gideon said also to the men of Penuel, “When I come again in peace, I will tear down this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also told the men of Penuel, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also told the men of Penuel, &#8220When I return in peace, I will tear down this tower!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"I'll come back safe and sound," Gideon said, "but when I do, I'm going to tear down your tower!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So he told them, "When I come back after my victory, I'll tear down this tower."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So he said to them, "I am going to come back safe and sound, and when I do, I will tear this tower down!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So he responded the same way to the men of Penuel, "When I come back safely, I'm going to tear down this tower."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Gideon told the men of Penuel, ?When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He also threatened the men of Penuel, warning, "When I return victoriously, I will tear down this tower." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, "When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he also speaks to the men of Penuel, saying, “In my turning back in peace, I break down this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he speaketh also to the men of Penuel, saying, 'In my turning back in peace, I break down this tower.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say also to the men of Penuel, saying, In my turning back in peace I will break down this tower.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He said therefore to them also: When I shall return a conqueror in peace, I will destroy this tower. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so he said to them also, “When I will have returned as a victor in peace, I will destroy this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So to the people of Penuel, too, he said, “When I return in peace, I will demolish this tower.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So he said to the people of Penuel, “When I come back victorious, I will break down this tower.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said also to the men of Penuel, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said also to the men of Penuil “When I have come in peace, I shall tear down this tower!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he spoke also unto the men of Penuel, saying: 'When I come back in peace, I will break down this tower.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Gedeon said to the men of Phanuel, When I return in peace, I will break down this tower.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/8-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=2329" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>From there he went up to Penuel and asked the same from them, but the men of Penuel gave the same response as the men of Succoth. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">So Gideon</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">told</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: lə·’an·šê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/6439.htm" title="6439: p̄ə·nū·’êl (N-proper-fs) -- Or Pniylel; from panah and 'el; face of God; Penuel or Peniel, a place East of Jordan; also the name of two Israelites.">of Penuel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: bə·šū·ḇî (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">“When I return</a> <a href="/hebrew/7965.htm" title="7965: ḇə·šā·lō·wm (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Or shalom; from shalam; safe, i.e. well, happy, friendly; also welfare, i.e. Health, prosperity, peace.">in triumph,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5422.htm" title="5422: ’et·tōṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">I will tear down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4026.htm" title="4026: ham·miḡ·dāl (Art:: N-ms) -- A tower. Also feminine migdalah; from gadal; a tower; by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a bed of flowers.">tower!”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-15.htm">Judges 7:15</a></span><br />When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-14.htm">Judges 6:14</a></span><br />The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Am I not sending you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-36.htm">Judges 6:36-40</a></span><br />Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, / then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” / And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-2.htm">Judges 7:2-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-9.htm">Judges 7:9-14</a></span><br />That night the LORD said to Gideon, “Get up and go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. / But if you are afraid to do so, then go down to the camp with your servant Purah / and listen to what they are saying. Then your hands will be strengthened to attack the camp.” So he went with Purah his servant to the outposts where armed men were guarding the camp. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Judges 8:4-5</a></span><br />Then Gideon and his three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it, exhausted yet still in pursuit. / So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/8-16.htm">Judges 8:16-17</a></span><br />Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth. / He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">1 Samuel 17:45-47</a></span><br />But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6</a></span><br />Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-31.htm">2 Kings 19:31-34</a></span><br />For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. / So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city, declares the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Isaiah 37:33-35</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ declares the LORD. / ‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10-13</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. / Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Isaiah 54:17</a></span><br />No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.</p><p class="hdg">I come</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-27.htm">1 Kings 22:27,28</a></b></br> And say, Thus saith the king, Put this <i>fellow</i> in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace… </p><p class="hdg">I will break</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17</a></b></br> And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Break</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/6-24.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/judges/8-8.htm">Peniel</a> <a href="/judges/8-8.htm">Penuel</a> <a href="/judges/8-8.htm">Penu'el</a> <a href="/joshua/10-21.htm">Safely</a> <a href="/judges/8-7.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/genesis/35-21.htm">Tower</a> <a href="/exodus/32-18.htm">Triumph</a> <a href="/judges/6-14.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-31.htm">Break</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Peniel</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Penuel</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Penu'el</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-17.htm">Safely</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Tower</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Triumph</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-10.htm">Zebah and Zalmunna are taken</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-13.htm">Succoth and Penuel are destroyed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Gideon revenges his brothers's death on Zebah and Zalmunna</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-22.htm">He refuses government</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-24.htm">His ephod the cause of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-28.htm">Midian subdued</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Gideon's children, and death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-33.htm">The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So Gideon told the men of Penuel</b><br>Gideon, a judge of Israel, is addressing the men of Penuel, a city east of the Jordan River. Penuel, also known as Peniel, is historically significant as the place where Jacob wrestled with God (<a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Genesis 32:30</a>). This location is a reminder of divine encounters and the transformation of character. Gideon's interaction with the men of Penuel reflects a moment of tension, as they refused to support him in his pursuit of the Midianite kings. This refusal highlights the lack of unity among the Israelite tribes during the period of the judges, a time marked by decentralized leadership and frequent disobedience to God.<p><b>“When I return in triumph</b><br>Gideon's confidence in his return "in triumph" indicates his faith in God's promise of victory over the Midianites. This assurance can be seen as a reflection of the divine empowerment he received earlier in his calling (<a href="/judges/6-14.htm">Judges 6:14-16</a>). The phrase underscores the theme of God's deliverance through chosen leaders, despite overwhelming odds. Gideon's statement also foreshadows the fulfillment of God's plan, as he is assured of success not by his own strength but by divine intervention.<p><b>I will tear down this tower!”</b><br>The tower of Penuel was likely a fortified structure, symbolizing the city's strength and security. In ancient Near Eastern culture, towers were often built for defense and as watchpoints. Gideon's threat to tear down the tower signifies a judgment against the city's refusal to aid him, representing a broader theme of divine retribution against those who oppose God's chosen deliverers. This act of tearing down the tower can be seen as a type of Christ's ultimate victory over all earthly powers and principalities, as He establishes His kingdom. The destruction of the tower serves as a warning to those who place their trust in human strength rather than in God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a></b><br>A judge of Israel, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his faith and leadership, yet also for his human flaws and moments of doubt.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/penuel.htm">Penuel</a></b><br>A city east of the Jordan River, significant in Israel's history. The men of Penuel refused to assist Gideon and his men, leading to Gideon's threat to destroy their tower upon his victorious return.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tower_of_penuel.htm">The Tower of Penuel</a></b><br>A symbol of the city's strength and pride. Gideon's threat to tear it down signifies a challenge to their lack of support and faith in God's deliverance through him.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_midianites.htm">The Midianites</a></b><br>The oppressors of Israel during Gideon's time. Their defeat was crucial for Israel's freedom and a testament to God's power and faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_return_in_triumph.htm">The Return in Triumph</a></b><br>Represents Gideon's confidence in God's promise of victory, despite the initial refusal of support from fellow Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>Gideon's confidence in returning "in triumph" reflects a deep trust in God's promises. Believers are encouraged to hold fast to God's assurances, even when facing opposition or doubt.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride.htm">The Consequences of Pride</a></b><br>The men of Penuel's refusal to aid Gideon due to pride or fear led to their downfall. Pride can blind us to God's work and lead to negative consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_accountability.htm">Leadership and Accountability</a></b><br>Gideon's response to Penuel's refusal shows the importance of accountability in leadership. Leaders must address issues of faith and support within their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_use_of_imperfect_people.htm">God's Use of Imperfect People</a></b><br>Despite Gideon's flaws, God used him to deliver Israel. This encourages believers that God can use anyone willing to follow Him, regardless of their imperfections.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_support_in_god's_work.htm">Community Support in God's Work</a></b><br>The refusal of support from Penuel highlights the need for community cooperation in fulfilling God's mission. Believers are called to support one another in God's work.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_shechem's_destruction.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Shechem as described (Judges 9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_trust_ps_61_3-4's_'refuge'_without_proof.htm">What evidence supports the psalmist’s confidence (Ps 61:3–4) in a physical “refuge” or “tower” when no solid archaeological proof exists? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_opposition_to_abimelech's_act.htm">How could Abimelech have murdered seventy of Gideon's sons without immediate opposition (Judges 9:5)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abimelech,_gideon's_son.htm">Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">When I come again in peace.</span>--Comp. <a href="/1_kings/22-27.htm" title="And say, Thus said the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.">1Kings 22:27</a>.<p><span class= "bld">I will break down this tower.</span>--If the strength of their citadel emboldened them to refuse food to Gideon's fainting warriors, it would also have helped to protect them against the dreaded vengeance of Midian.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/8-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So [Gideon]</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">told</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֛אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאַנְשֵׁ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Penuel,</span><br /><span class="heb">פְנוּאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·nū·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6439.htm">Strong's 6439: </a> </span><span class="str2">Penuel -- 'face of God', a place East of the Jordan, also two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“When I return</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשׁוּבִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·šū·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in triumph,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְשָׁל֔וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·šā·lō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7965.htm">Strong's 7965: </a> </span><span class="str2">Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will tear down</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתֹּ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(’et·tōṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull down, break down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tower!”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּגְדָּ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miḡ·dāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4026.htm">Strong's 4026: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/8-9.htm">OT History: Judges 8:9 He spoke also to the men (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/8-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 8:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 8:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/8-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 8:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 8:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>