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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 8:30 Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/8-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/07_Jdg_08_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 8:30 - Forty Years of Peace" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/8-29.htm" title="Judges 8:29">◄</a> Judges 8:30 <a href="/judges/8-31.htm" title="Judges 8:31">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a 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 />He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He had seventy sons born to him, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Gideon had seventy sons who were his own offspring, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons born to him, because he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, since he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Gideon had 70 sons, his own offspring, since he had many wives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten; for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Gideon had many wives and 70 sons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Gideon had 70 sons because he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He had seventy sons, because he had many wives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Gideon raised 70 sons as his direct descendants, since he had many wives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Gideon fathered seventy sons through his many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Gideon had seventy sons conceived from his body; for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Gideon had seventy sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Gideon had seventy sons conceived from his body, for he had many wives. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and there have been seventy sons of Gideon, coming out of his loin, for he had many wives;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and to Gideon there have been seventy sons, coming out of his loin, for he had many wives;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And to Gideon were seventy sons going out of his thigh: for many women were to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he had seventy sons, who came out of his thigh, for he had many wives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he had seventy sons, who went forth from his own thigh. For he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, for he had many wives.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Gideon had seventy sons who were begotten by him; for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Gedun had seventy sons who had gone out of his loins, because he had many wives<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten; for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Gedeon had seventy sons begotten of his body, for he had many wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/8-30.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=2567" 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">Forty Years of Peace</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>and he—Jerubbaal son of Joash—returned home and settled down. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1439.htm" title="1439: ū·lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A judge of Isr. From gada'; feller; Gidon, an Israelite.">Gideon</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had</a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: šiḇ·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy.">seventy</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bā·nîm (N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yō·ṣə·’ê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">of his own,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3409.htm" title="3409: yə·rê·ḵōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh; by euphem. The generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">since</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">he had</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bō·wṯ (Adj-fp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">many</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šîm (N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wives.</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.…<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="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-6</a></span><br />Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-13.htm">2 Samuel 5:13-16</a></span><br />After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. / These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, / Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-3</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17</a></span><br />He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/3-1.htm">1 Chronicles 3:1-9</a></span><br />These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel; / the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith; / the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; and the sixth was Ithream by his wife Eglah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/11-21.htm">2 Chronicles 11:21</a></span><br />Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-12.htm">Genesis 36:12</a></span><br />Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to Amalek. These are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">1 Samuel 8:11-13</a></span><br />He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-3.htm">1 Kings 20:3</a></span><br />saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-1.htm">2 Kings 10:1</a></span><br />Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/7-14.htm">1 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/8-8.htm">1 Chronicles 8:8-9</a></span><br />Shaharaim had sons in the country of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. / His sons by his wife Hodesh: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/14-3.htm">1 Chronicles 14:3-7</a></span><br />And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters. / These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, / Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-6.htm">Matthew 1:6-16</a></span><br />and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife, / Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. / Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-23.htm">Luke 3:23-38</a></span><br />Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, / the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, / the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Gideon had three score and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.</p><p class="hdg">threescore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Judges 9:2,5</a></b></br> Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether <i>is</i> better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, <i>which are</i> threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I <i>am</i> your bone and your flesh… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/10-4.htm">Judges 10:4</a></b></br> And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which <i>are</i> in the land of Gilead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/12-9.htm">Judges 12:9,14</a></b></br> And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, <i>whom</i> he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years… </p><p class="hdg">of his body begotten.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></b></br> Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/7-7.htm">Genesis 7:7</a></b></br> And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17</a></b></br> Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/23-8.htm">Begotten</a> <a href="/judges/3-22.htm">Body</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-45.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/judges/4-11.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-8.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/joshua/24-3.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/judges/8-14.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/judges/7-3.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/8-14.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/2-18.htm">Begotten</a> <a href="/judges/8-32.htm">Body</a> <a href="/judges/13-3.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/ruth/4-18.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/judges/21-17.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/judges/12-9.htm">Wives</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>Gideon had seventy sons of his own</b><br>Gideon's large number of sons indicates his significant status and wealth, as having many children was often seen as a sign of God's blessing and favor in ancient Israel. This detail highlights the patriarchal nature of the society, where lineage and inheritance were crucial. The number seventy is symbolic in the Bible, often representing completeness or perfection, as seen in the seventy elders of Israel (<a href="/exodus/24.htm">Exodus 24:1</a>) and the seventy nations listed in <a href="/genesis/10.htm">Genesis 10</a>. Gideon's many sons also foreshadow the internal strife and power struggles that will arise after his death, as seen in the subsequent chapters of Judges.<p><b>since he had many wives</b><br>Polygamy was a common practice among leaders and wealthy individuals in the ancient Near East, often used to form alliances and increase one's influence. While not explicitly condemned in the Old Testament, polygamy often led to familial discord and complications, as seen in the lives of other biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, and David. Gideon's many wives reflect the cultural norms of the time but also set the stage for future conflict, particularly with his son Abimelech, who would later kill his brothers to seize power (Judges 9). This practice contrasts with the monogamous ideal presented in <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> and affirmed by Jesus in <a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4-6</a>, highlighting the tension between cultural practices and divine intention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a></b><br>A judge of Israel, also known as Jerubbaal, who led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites. He is a central figure in the Book of Judges, known for his faith and leadership, but also for his later actions that led to idolatry and familial strife.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/seventy_sons.htm">Seventy Sons</a></b><br>The numerous offspring of Gideon, indicating his many marriages and the potential for familial conflict and division, as seen later in the account with Abimelech.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/many_wives.htm">Many Wives</a></b><br>Reflects the cultural practices of the time, where polygamy was common among leaders and kings, often leading to complex family dynamics and issues of inheritance and succession.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_polygamy_and_disobedience.htm">The Dangers of Polygamy and Disobedience</a></b><br>Gideon's many wives and sons illustrate the potential for strife and division that comes from not adhering to God's design for marriage. Believers are reminded to follow God's principles for family life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_personal_life.htm">Leadership and Personal Life</a></b><br>Gideon's account shows that even great leaders can have personal failings. It is crucial for leaders to maintain integrity in their personal lives to avoid negative consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_influence.htm">Legacy and Influence</a></b><br>The legacy we leave is shaped by our actions and decisions. Gideon's choices affected his family and the nation of Israel. Believers should consider the long-term impact of their decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence_vs._god's_commands.htm">Cultural Influence vs. God's Commands</a></b><br>Gideon's life reflects the tension between cultural practices and God's commands. Christians are called to live according to God's Word, even when it contradicts societal norms.<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/elkanah's_polygamy_vs._later_monogamy.htm">How does Elkanah’s polygamous marriage in 1 Samuel 1:2 align or conflict with later biblical teachings on monogamy? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ecclesiastes_6_3__100_kids_possible_then.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:3 – How is it feasible for one man to have a hundred children in ancient times, given historical and demographic realities? </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/could_jair's_30_sons_rule_30_cities.htm">(Judges 10:4) How feasible is it that Jair had thirty sons, all uniquely ruling thirty cities with their own donkeys? </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>(30) <span class= "bld">Threescore and ten sons.</span>--According to Oriental fashion, no account is taken of his daughters.<p><span class= "bld">He had many wives.</span>--It is clear that Gideon was a king in all but name. This is the most magnificent, but the least honourable, period of his career. In <a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm" title="Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.">Deuteronomy 17:17</a> it had been said of the future king, "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself. . . . neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold." Polygamy was only adopted on a large scale by rulers (<a href="/judges/10-4.htm" title="And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead.">Judges 10:4</a>; <a href="/judges/12-9.htm" title="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.">Judges 12:9</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 30-32.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Gideon had threescore and ten sons</span>, etc. This notice helps us to fill up the picture of Gideon's state after the Midianitish victory, lie had indeed nobly refused the kingdom, as a Pericles would have refused to be tyrant of Athena But he did not return to poverty and obscurity, as L. Q. Cincinnatus, in the Roman legend, returned to his plough after his victory over the Volsciana He was judge over Israel for forty years, with a household and a harem like a great prince, living in his paternal city, with the ephod set up there, himself the centre round which the powers of Church and State gathered; directing the affairs of his country, both civil and ecclesiastical, with eminent success, so that the country was at peace for forty years (a peace as long as that which followed the battle of Water-leo], and the detestable Baal-worship was effectually suppressed. And having lived in wealth and honour, he died in peace, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father at Ophrah in a good old age. He remains to us as one of the most remarkable characters of the Old Testament, not indeed without faults and blemishes, and not wholly unspoiled by prosperity, but still a great man, and an eminent servant of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/8-30.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">Gideon</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְגִדְע֗וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1439.htm">Strong's 1439: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gideon -- a judge of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seventy</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7657.htm">Strong's 7657: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seventy (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(bā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his own,</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹצְאֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ṣə·’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he had</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֥יוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">many</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבּ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wives.</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשִׁ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/8-30.htm">OT History: Judges 8:30 Gideon had seventy sons conceived from his (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/8-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 8:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 8:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/8-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 8:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 8:31" /></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>