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As surely as the LORD lives, if you had spared their lives, I would not kill you.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“They were my brothers, the sons of my own mother!” Gideon exclaimed. “As surely as the LORD lives, I wouldn’t kill you if you hadn’t killed them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“They were my brothers,” Gideon replied, “the sons of my mother! As surely as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said, They <i>were</i> my brethren, <i>even</i> the sons of my mother: <i>as</i> the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he said, “They <i>were</i> my brothers, the sons of my mother. <i>As</i> the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he said, “They <i>were</i> my brothers, the sons of my mother. <i>As</i> the LORD lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said, &#8220They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said, “They <i>were</i> my brothers, the sons of my mother. <i>As</i> the LORD lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said, “They <i>were</i> my brothers, the sons of my mother. <i>As</i> Yahweh lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother! As the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he said, &#8220They were my brothers, the sons of my mother! As the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, They were my brethren, the sons of my mother: as Jehovah liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"They were my very own brothers!" Gideon said. "I swear by the living LORD that if you had let them live, I would let you live." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said, They were my brethren, the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Gideon replied, "They were my brothers, my mother's sons. I solemnly swear, as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not have to kill you now."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Gideon said, "They were my brothers, my own mother's sons. I solemnly swear that if you had not killed them, I would not kill you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Gideon replied, "They were my brothers—sons from my own mother. As the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I wouldn't be killing you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?They were my brothers,? Gideon replied, ?the sons of my mother! As surely as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. I swear, as surely as the LORD is alive, if you had let them live, I would not kill you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As Yahweh lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.” <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 says, “They [were] my brothers—sons of my mother; YHWH lives, if you had kept them alive—I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he saith, 'My brethren -- sons of my mother -- they; Jehovah liveth, if ye had kept them alive -- I had not slain you.'<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, My brethren, the sons of my mother: Jehovah lives, would that ye preserved them alive, and I had not slain you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He answered them: They were my brethren, the sons of my mother. As the Lord liveth, if you had saved them, I would not kill you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He answered them: “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the Lord lives, if you had preserved them, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“They were my brothers, my mother’s sons,” he said. “As the LORD lives, if you had spared their lives, I would not kill you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he replied, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother; as the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.”<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, They were my brothers, the sons of my mother; as the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not slay you.<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: they are my brothers, the sons of my mother! LORD JEHOVAH God is living, for if you had saved them, I would not kill you!”<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 said: 'They were my brethren, the sons of my mother; as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Gedeon said, They were my brethren and the sons of my mother: <i>as</i> the Lord lives, if ye had preserved them alive, I would not have slain you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/8-19.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=2434" 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">18</span>Next, Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?” “Men like you,” they answered, “each one resembling the son of a king.” <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">“They</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’a·ḥay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">were my brothers,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Gideon replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">“the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">of my mother!</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">As surely as the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay- (N-ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">lives,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3863.htm" title="3863: lū (Prep) -- If, oh that. Or lu; or luw; a conditional particle; if; by implication would that!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: ha·ḥă·yi·ṯem (V-Hifil-Perf-2mp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">you had let them live,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I would not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hā·raḡ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">kill</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth.…<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/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a></span><br />“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-33.htm">1 Samuel 15:33</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-16.htm">2 Samuel 1:16</a></span><br />For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/4-11.htm">2 Samuel 4:11</a></span><br />How much more, when wicked men kill a righteous man in his own house and on his own bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hands and remove you from the earth!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-32.htm">1 Kings 2:32</a></span><br />The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-26.htm">2 Kings 9:26</a></span><br />‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, so will I repay you on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, according to the word of the LORD, pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Psalm 9:12</a></span><br />For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/79-10.htm">Psalm 79:10</a></span><br />Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></span><br />For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/24-7.htm">Ezekiel 24:7-8</a></span><br />For the blood she shed is still within her; she poured it out on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. / In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have placed her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a></span><br />And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-50.htm">Luke 11:50-51</a></span><br />As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Acts 7:52</a></span><br />Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32-34</a></span><br />And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said, They were my brothers, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not slay you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/14-10.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/judges/8-18.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/5-17.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/8-18.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/6-10.htm">Live</a> <a href="/judges/5-28.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-21.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/judges/1-25.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/judges/7-2.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/joshua/13-22.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/joshua/13-22.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/judges/1-25.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/judges/6-16.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/21-14.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/16-2.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Live</a> <a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/judges/8-22.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/judges/21-14.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/judges/8-25.htm">Surely</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>They were my brothers,</b><br>Gideon identifies the men killed by Zebah and Zalmunna as his brothers, indicating a close familial bond. In ancient Israel, family ties were significant, and avenging a family member's death was a duty. This reflects the tribal and familial loyalty prevalent in the culture. The concept of brotherhood extends beyond blood relations in Scripture, often symbolizing unity and shared purpose among God's people.<p><b>Gideon replied,</b><br>Gideon's response is direct and personal, highlighting his role as both a leader and a family member seeking justice. His leadership is marked by personal involvement, contrasting with some judges who acted more distantly. This personal engagement is a recurring theme in the narratives of the judges, where leaders are often directly affected by the events they address.<p><b>the sons of my mother!</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the full-blooded relationship, as opposed to half-brothers, underscoring the depth of the familial bond. In the cultural context, maternal lineage was crucial, and the mention of the mother highlights the grievous nature of the loss. The maternal reference may also evoke the nurturing and protective aspects of family ties.<p><b>As surely as the LORD lives,</b><br>This oath invokes the name of the LORD, underscoring the seriousness and truthfulness of Gideon's statement. Such oaths were common in Israelite culture, reflecting a deep reverence for God's sovereignty and presence. The phrase is a solemn affirmation, often used in Scripture to emphasize the certainty and gravity of a declaration (e.g., <a href="/1_samuel/14-39.htm">1 Samuel 14:39</a>).<p><b>if you had let them live,</b><br>Gideon presents a conditional statement, indicating that the actions of Zebah and Zalmunna directly influenced his decision. This highlights the principle of retributive justice, which was a common legal and moral framework in ancient Israel. The conditional nature of the statement also reflects the potential for mercy had the circumstances been different.<p><b>I would not kill you.</b><br>Gideon's declaration of intent reveals the justice-driven motivation behind his actions. The act of killing Zebah and Zalmunna is portrayed as a necessary response to their prior actions, aligning with the lex talionis principle ("an eye for an eye"). This reflects the broader biblical theme of justice and the consequences of sin, while also pointing to the ultimate justice fulfilled in Christ, who bore the penalty for sin on behalf of humanity.<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 struggles.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/z/zebah_and_zalmunna.htm">Zebah and Zalmunna</a></b><br>Kings of Midian who were captured by Gideon. They were responsible for the death of Gideon's brothers, which led to their execution by Gideon.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gideon's_brothers.htm">Gideon's Brothers</a></b><br>The sons of Gideon's mother, who were killed by Zebah and Zalmunna. Their death is a pivotal reason for Gideon's actions against the Midianite kings.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a></b><br>A region and people often in conflict with Israel. The Midianites oppressed Israel until Gideon, under God's guidance, led a successful campaign against them.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/ophrah.htm">Ophrah</a></b><br>Gideon's hometown, where he was called by God and where he returned after his military victories.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_complexity_of_justice_and_vengeance.htm">The Complexity of Justice and Vengeance</a></b><br>Gideon's actions remind us of the complexity of justice and the human tendency towards vengeance. While Gideon sought justice for his brothers, his actions also reflect personal revenge. Christians are called to seek justice but leave vengeance to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_brotherhood_and_family.htm">The Importance of Brotherhood and Family</a></b><br>The murder of Gideon's brothers highlights the deep bonds of family and the pain of loss. It serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing and protecting our relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The death of Gideon's brothers and the subsequent execution of the Midianite kings illustrate the destructive cycle of sin and violence. Believers are encouraged to break this cycle through forgiveness and reconciliation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_amidst_flaws.htm">Faith Amidst Flaws</a></b><br>Gideon is a complex character who demonstrates great faith but also significant flaws. His account encourages believers to trust in God's strength despite their weaknesses and imperfections.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human actions and motives, God's purposes prevail. Gideon's victory over the Midianites was ultimately part of God's plan to deliver Israel, reminding us of God's sovereignty in our lives.<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/who_was_gideon_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_to_zebah_and_zalmunna.htm">What happened to Zebah and Zalmunna in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god's_cycle_conflict_with_free_will.htm">Does the cyclical pattern of God sending deliverers (Judges 3:7-11) conflict with the notion of human free will or moral responsibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_gideon's_actions_align_with_his_refusal.htm">Judges 8:22-23: How do Gideon's actions after insisting he would not rule Israel align with his refusal of kingship?</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>(19) <span class= "bld">The sons of my mother.</span>--Comp. <a href="/genesis/43-29.htm" title="And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom you spoke to me? And he said, God be gracious to you, my son.">Genesis 43:29</a>.<p><span class= "bld">As the Lord liveth.</span>--<a href="/ruth/3-13.htm" title="Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform to you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to you, then will I do the part of a kinsman to you, as the LORD lives: lie down until the morning.">Ruth 3:13</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/14-41.htm" title="Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.">1Samuel 14:41</a>. (Comp. <span class= "ital">'n. </span>xii. 949.)<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/8-19.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">“They</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were my brothers,”</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gideon replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמַ֕ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mar)</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 sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<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 my mother!</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">As surely as the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lives,</span><br /><span class="heb">חַי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֚וּ</span> <span class="translit">(lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3863.htm">Strong's 3863: </a> </span><span class="str2">If, would that!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you had let them live,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחֲיִתֶ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥă·yi·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I would not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kill</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרַ֖גְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(hā·raḡ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתְכֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/8-19.htm">Judges 8:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/8-19.htm">OT History: Judges 8:19 He said They were my brothers (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/8-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 8:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 8:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/8-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 8:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 8:20" /></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>