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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 8:17 He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/8-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/07_Jdg_08_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 8:17 - Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.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/8-16.htm" title="Judges 8:16">◄</a> Judges 8:17 <a href="/judges/8-18.htm" title="Judges 8:18">►</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 also pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He also tore down the tower of Peniel and killed all the men in the town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he broke down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he brake down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Afterwards he went to Penuel, where he tore down the tower and killed all the town officials. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he brake down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of that city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He also tore down the tower at Penuel and killed the men of that city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He also demolished the tower in Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He also tore down the tower of Penuel and executed the city's men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city. <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 has broken down the Tower of Penuel, and slays the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the tower of Penuel he hath broken down, and slayeth the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he brake down the tower of Penuel, and he will kill the men of the city.<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 demolished the tower of Phanuel, and slew the men of the city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He also overturned the tower of Penuel, and he killed the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He also demolished the tower of Penuel and killed the people of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He also broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city.<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 broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he broke down the Tower of Phanuyel and he killed the men of the city<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 broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he overthrew the tower of Phanuel, and slew the men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/8-17.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=2416" 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">16</span>Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5422.htm" title="5422: nā·ṯāṣ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">He also pulled down</a> <a href="/hebrew/4026.htm" title="4026: miḡ·dal (N-msc) -- A tower. Also feminine migdalah; from gadal; a tower; by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a bed of flowers.">the tower</a> <a href="/hebrew/6439.htm" title="6439: pə·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/2026.htm" title="2026: way·ya·hă·rōḡ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">and killed</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/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the city.</a> </span><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.”…<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="/2_kings/18-13.htm">2 Kings 18:13</a></span><br />In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-12.htm">Isaiah 37:12</a></span><br />Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-14.htm">Hosea 10:14</a></span><br />the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-4.htm">Amos 1:4-5</a></span><br />So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. / I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-12.htm">2 Kings 19:12</a></span><br />Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-9.htm">Isaiah 10:9</a></span><br />“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-1.htm">2 Chronicles 32:1</a></span><br />After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-23.htm">Jeremiah 49:23-27</a></span><br />Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed. / Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor. / How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town that brings Me joy? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Matthew 11:21-24</a></span><br />“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Luke 10:13-15</a></span><br />Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/17-1.htm">Isaiah 17:1-3</a></span><br />This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. / The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear. / The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-9.htm">2 Kings 16:9</a></span><br />So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-8.htm">Isaiah 9:8-12</a></span><br />The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has fallen upon Israel. / All the people will know it—Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say: / “The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-29.htm">2 Kings 15:29</a></span><br />In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-8.htm">Isaiah 7:8</a></span><br />For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9</a></b></br> And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">1 Kings 12:25</a></b></br> Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/5-22.htm">Beat</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/8-16.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/6-31.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/7-25.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Peniel</a> <a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Penuel</a> <a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Penu'el</a> <a href="/judges/6-32.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-26.htm">Slayeth</a> <a href="/judges/7-25.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/joshua/7-6.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Tower</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-45.htm">Beat</a> <a href="/judges/9-53.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/judges/9-53.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/judges/8-28.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/8-18.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/8-18.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">Peniel</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">Penuel</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">Penu'el</a> <a href="/judges/9-45.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Slayeth</a> <a href="/judges/8-18.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/11-35.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Tower</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>He also pulled down the tower of Penuel</b><br>The tower of Penuel was a significant structure in the city, likely serving as a defensive fortification. Penuel, located east of the Jordan River, was a strategic site. The act of pulling down the tower symbolizes a complete defeat and humiliation of the city. This action by Gideon can be seen as a fulfillment of his earlier threat to the men of Penuel (<a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Judges 8:9</a>) when they refused to assist him and his men. The destruction of the tower signifies the removal of the city's protection and pride, reflecting the consequences of opposing God's chosen leader. In a broader biblical context, the tearing down of strongholds can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare, where believers are called to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (<a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">2 Corinthians 10:4-5</a>).<p><b>and killed the men of the city</b><br>The execution of the men of Penuel highlights the severity of their offense against Gideon and, by extension, against God's deliverance plan for Israel. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such actions were not uncommon as a means of ensuring loyalty and eliminating future threats. This act of retribution underscores the importance of supporting God's appointed leaders and the dire consequences of failing to do so. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of divine justice and the seriousness of rebellion against God's purposes. This event also foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will come upon those who oppose God's kingdom, as seen in the eschatological prophecies throughout Scripture (e.g., <a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-21</a>).<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, but also for his later actions that showed a more complex character.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/penuel.htm">Penuel</a></b><br>A city east of the Jordan River. It was significant in Israel's history, being a place where Jacob wrestled with God and was renamed Israel (<a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Genesis 32:30-31</a>).<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tower_of_penuel.htm">The Tower of Penuel</a></b><br>A structure within the city, likely a place of defense or a symbol of the city's strength and pride.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_penuel.htm">The Men of Penuel</a></b><br>The inhabitants of the city who refused to assist Gideon and his men during their pursuit of the Midianite kings, leading to their destruction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_midianite_kings.htm">The Midianite Kings</a></b><br>The oppressors of Israel whom Gideon was pursuing. Their defeat was crucial for Israel's deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_call.htm">Obedience to God's Call</a></b><br>Gideon's initial obedience led to victory. We must be attentive and obedient to God's direction in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_pride_and_rebellion.htm">Consequences of Pride and Rebellion</a></b><br>The men of Penuel faced severe consequences for their pride and refusal to support God's chosen leader. Pride can lead to downfall.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_accountability.htm">Leadership and Accountability</a></b><br>Gideon's actions remind us that leaders are accountable for their decisions and must act justly and righteously.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_support.htm">The Importance of Community Support</a></b><br>The refusal of Penuel to support Gideon highlights the importance of unity and support within the community of believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_deliverance.htm">God's Sovereignty in Deliverance</a></b><br>Despite human failures, God's plan for deliverance prevails, reminding us of His ultimate control and purpose.<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/what_occurred_at_peniel_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Peniel in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_300_men_chase_thousands_alone.htm">Judges 8:4-5: Could 300 men realistically pursue thousands of Midianites without proper resources or logistical support?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/judges_12_1-7__unity_or_conflict.htm">Judges 12:1-7 - How does the narrative align with or contradict earlier portrayals of tribal unity and cooperation in Judges?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jesus's_testimony_meet_witness_rules.htm">John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?</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>(17) <span class= "bld">Beat down the tower.</span>--The importance of the place led to its re-fortification by Jeroboam (<a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm" title="Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelled therein; and went out from there, and built Penuel.">1Kings 12:25</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He slew the men of the city</span>. This makes it probable that the <span class="accented">threshing</span> of the men of Succoth was a capital punishment, as there is no reason why the men of Penuel should be more severely punished than the men of Succoth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/8-17.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">He also pulled down</span><br /><span class="heb">נָתָ֑ץ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯāṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine 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">the tower</span><br /><span class="heb">מִגְדַּ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(miḡ·dal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<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 /><br /><span class="word">of Penuel</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנוּאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(pə·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">and killed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֖ג</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·hă·rōḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine 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">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">אַנְשֵׁ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">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 the city.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִֽיר׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/8-17.htm">Judges 8:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/8-17.htm">OT History: Judges 8:17 He broke down the tower of Penuel (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/8-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 8:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 8:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/8-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 8:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 8:18" /></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>