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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 8:18 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/8-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/07_Jdg_08_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 8:18 - Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Next, Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, What kind of men did you kill at Tabor? 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Every one of them resembled the son of a king.” <a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/judges/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. <a href="/nkjv/judges/8.htm">New King James Version</a> And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” So they answered, “As you are, so were they; each one resembled the son of a king.” <a href="/nasb_/judges/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “Where were the men whom you killed at Tabor?” But they said, “You and they were alike, each one resembling the son of a king.” <a href="/nasb/judges/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, &#8220What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?&#8221 And they said, &#8220They were like you, each one resembling the son of a king.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/judges/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” And they said, “They were like you, each one resembling the son of a king.” <a href="/lsb/judges/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” And they said, “They were like you, each one resembling the son of a king.” <a href="/amp/judges/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Gideon said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” And they replied, “They were like you, each one of them resembled the son of a king.” <a href="/csb/judges/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor? ” “They were like you,” they said. “Each resembled the son of a king.” <a href="/hcsb/judges/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He asked Zebah and Zalmunna, &#8220What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?"&#8221 They were like you,&#8221 they said. &#8220Each resembled the son of a king.&#8221 <a href="/asv/judges/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. <a href="/cev/judges/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then Gideon said, "Zebah and Zalmunna, tell me about the men you killed at Tabor." "They were a lot like you," the two kings answered. "They were dignified, almost like royalty." <a href="/erv/judges/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. <a href="/gwt/judges/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He asked Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?" They answered, "They were like you. Each one looked like a king's son." <a href="/gnt/judges/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, "What about the men you killed at Tabor?" They answered, "They looked like you--every one of them like the son of a king." <a href="/isv/judges/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Afterwards, he asked Zebah and Zalmunna, "What were the men like whom you killed at Tabor?" They answered, "Like you, each one like the son of a king…" <a href="/msb/judges/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/judges/8.htm">NET Bible</a> He said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "Describe for me the men you killed at Tabor." They said, "They were like you. Each one looked like a king's son." <a href="/nheb/judges/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?" They answered, "As you are, so were they; each one resembled the son of a king." <a href="/wbt/judges/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. <a href="/web/judges/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. They all resembled the children of a king.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he says to Zebah and to Zalmunna, “What manner of men [were they] whom you slew in Tabor?” And they say, “As you—so they, [each] one as the form of the king’s sons.” <a href="/ylt/judges/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he saith unto Zebah and unto Zalmunna, 'How -- the men whom ye slew in Tabor?' and they say, 'As thou -- so they, one -- as the form of the king's sons.' <a href="/slt/judges/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will say to Zebah and Zalmunna, Whose the men which ye killed in Tabor? and they will say, As thou, so they; one according to the form of the sons of the king.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he said to Zebee and Salmana: What manner of men were they whom you slew in Thabor? They answered: They were like thee, and one of them as the son of a king. <a href="/cpdv/judges/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were those whom you killed at Tabor?” They responded, “They were like you, and one of them was like the son of a king.” <a href="/nabre/judges/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What about the men you killed at Tabor?” “They were all like you,” they replied. “They appeared to be princes.” <a href="/nrsvce/judges/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What about the men whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “As you are, so were they, every one of them; they resembled the sons of a king.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor? They said to him, They were like yourself, they resembled the sons of kings. <a href="/hpbt/judges/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he said to Zebakh and to Tsalmenna: “What kind were the men whom you killed at Tabur?”And they were saying to him: “They were like you, like the appearance of the sons of Kings!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna: 'Where are the men whom ye slew at Tabor?' And they answered: 'As thou art, so were they; of one form with the children of a king.' <a href="/sep/judges/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he said to Zebee and Salmana, Where are the men whom ye slew in Thabor? and they said, As thou, so were they, according to the likeness of the son of a king. <a href="/parallel/judges/8-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=2422" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna</a> …17He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city. 18<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Next, Gideon asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2078.htm" title="2078: ze·ḇaḥ (N-proper-ms) -- A Midianite king. The same as zebach; sacrifice; Zebach, a Midianitish prince.">Zebah</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6759.htm" title="6759: ṣal·mun·nā‘ (N-proper-ms) -- A king of Midian. From tsel and mana'; shade has been denied; Tsalmunna, a Midianite.">and Zalmunna,</a> <a href="/hebrew/375.htm" title="375: ’ê·p̄ōh (Interrog) -- Where?. From 'ay and poh; what place?; also when?; or how?.">“What kind</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">of men</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hă·raḡ·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">did you kill</a> <a href="/hebrew/8396.htm" title="8396: bə·ṯā·ḇō·wr (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- From a root corresponding to tbar; broken region; Tabor, a mountain in Palestine, also a city adjacent.">at Tabor?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: kā·mō·w·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so.">“Men like you,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: ḵə·mō·w·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·m·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they answered,</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">“each one</a> <a href="/hebrew/8389.htm" title="8389: kə·ṯō·’ar (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Outline, form. From ta'ar; outline, i.e. Figure or appearance.">resembling</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 son</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">of a king.”</a> 19“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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/15-33.htm">1 Samuel 15:33</a> 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. <a href="/2_samuel/1-15.htm">2 Samuel 1:15-16</a> Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / 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.’” <a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5-6</a> Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. <a href="/1_kings/21-19.htm">1 Kings 21:19</a> Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’” <a href="/2_kings/9-26.htm">2 Kings 9:26</a> ‘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.” <a href="/2_chronicles/24-22.htm">2 Chronicles 24:22</a> Thus King Joash failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.” <a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a> Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12</a> Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. <a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">Numbers 35:31-33</a> You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death. / Nor should you accept a ransom for the person who flees to a city of refuge and allow him to return and live on his own land before the death of the high priest. / Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. <a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10-13</a> Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed. / If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. ... <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a> 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. <a href="/luke/11-51.htm">Luke 11:51</a> 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. <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Acts 7:52</a> 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— <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a> 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.” <a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32-34</a> 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> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor? And they answered, As you are, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.Tabor<a href="/judges/4-6.htm">Judges 4:6</a> And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?<a href="/psalms/89-12.htm">Psalm 89:12</a> The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.as thou art<a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2</a> They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.<a href="/jude/1-16.htm">Jude 1:16</a> These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.resembled.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/3-18.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/judges/8-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Death</a> <a href="/joshua/20-9.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/1-24.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/judges/3-24.htm">King's</a> <a href="/judges/8-8.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/joshua/22-14.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Resembled</a> <a href="/revelation/21-21.htm">Resembling</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/4-14.htm">Tabor</a> <a href="/judges/8-15.htm">Zalmunna</a> <a href="/judges/8-12.htm">Zalmun'na</a> <a href="/judges/8-15.htm">Zebah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-3.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/judges/8-28.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/8-19.htm">Death</a> <a href="/judges/8-19.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/8-35.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-18.htm">King's</a> <a href="/judges/11-17.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">Resembled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Resembling</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-3.htm">Tabor</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Zalmunna</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Zalmun'na</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Zebah</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 8</div>1. <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites</a> 4. <a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army</a> 10. <a href="/judges/8-10.htm">Zebah and Zalmunna are taken</a> 13. <a href="/judges/8-13.htm">Succoth and Penuel are destroyed</a> 17. <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Gideon revenges his brothers's death on Zebah and Zalmunna</a> 22. <a href="/judges/8-22.htm">He refuses government</a> 24. <a href="/judges/8-24.htm">His ephod the cause of idolatry</a> 28. <a href="/judges/8-28.htm">Midian subdued</a> 29. <a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Gideon's children, and death</a> 33. <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Next, Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, Gideon, a judge of Israel, is addressing Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite kings. This interaction occurs after Gideon's victory over the Midianites, highlighting his role as a deliverer of Israel. The context is a pursuit of justice for the oppression Israel faced under Midianite rule. Gideon's leadership is a type of Christ, who also delivers His people from oppression.“What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?” Mount Tabor is a significant location in Israel's history, often associated with battles and divine encounters. Gideon's question implies a personal vendetta, suggesting these men were his kin or fellow Israelites. This reflects the tribal and familial loyalties prevalent in ancient Israelite society, where blood vengeance was a common practice.“Men like you,” they answered, The response from Zebah and Zalmunna indicates recognition of Gideon's stature and possibly his kinship with those slain. This acknowledgment of Gideon's nobility and leadership qualities aligns with the biblical theme of God raising unlikely leaders to fulfill His purposes, as seen throughout the book of Judges.“each one resembling the son of a king.” This phrase suggests that the men killed were of noble appearance or bearing, possibly indicating they were leaders or warriors of significant standing. It underscores the respect and fear the Midianites had for the Israelites, even in defeat. The reference to "the son of a king" can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, the ultimate King, who was also not recognized by His enemies for His true identity and authority.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a> A judge of Israel, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his faith and leadership, Gideon is a central figure in the Book of Judges. 2. <a href="/topical/z/zebah_and_zalmunna.htm">Zebah and Zalmunna</a> Kings of Midian who were defeated by Gideon. Their capture and subsequent conversation with Gideon highlight the justice and retribution themes in the account. 3. <a href="/topical/t/tabor.htm">Tabor</a> A location in Israel, possibly Mount Tabor, where significant events occurred, including the killing of Gideon's brothers by Zebah and Zalmunna. 4. <a href="/topical/g/gideon's_brothers.htm">Gideon's Brothers</a> Though not named in this verse, they were killed by Zebah and Zalmunna, prompting Gideon's pursuit of justice. 5. <a href="/topical/m/midianites.htm">Midianites</a> A nomadic people who oppressed Israel during the time of the Judges. Their defeat by Gideon is a pivotal moment in Israel's history.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_retribution.htm">Justice and Retribution</a> Gideon's pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna underscores the biblical principle of justice. Believers are reminded of the importance of seeking justice while leaving ultimate vengeance to God. <a href="/topical/i/identity_and_legacy.htm">Identity and Legacy</a> The description of Gideon's brothers as "each one resembling the son of a king" speaks to the inherent dignity and identity of God's people. Christians are called to live in a manner worthy of their identity in Christ. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_leadership.htm">Courage in Leadership</a> Gideon's actions demonstrate the courage required to lead and protect God's people. Believers are encouraged to step into leadership roles with faith and determination. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> The Midianites' oppression of Israel and their eventual defeat serve as a reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience to God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> The account highlights God's control over history and His ability to use individuals like Gideon to accomplish His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 8</a> <a href="/q/what_did_'my_name_is_legion'_mean.htm">What happened to Zebah and Zalmunna in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/where_is_mount_tabor_in_the_bible.htm">Where is Mount Tabor mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_to_zebah_and_zalmunna.htm">What happened to Zebah and Zalmunna in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/does_biblical_data_confirm_gideon's_status.htm">Judges 6:14–15: If Gideon was the least in his family, do other biblical records or genealogical data contradict or confirm his lowly status?</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>(18) Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna.--They had been kept alive in order to answer the cowardly taunt of the elders of Succoth. There is nothing to show whether they were put to death at Succoth, as Josephus says, or taken to Ophrah (Antt. iv. 7, ? 5). Perhaps Gideon reserved their death for the place where he had once lived with his brothers, whom they had slain.What manner of men were they.--Literally, where (are) the men? Evidently this colloquy is only related in a shortened form, and Gideon's enquiry is rather a taunt or an expression of grief (<a href="/job/17-15.htm" title="And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?">Job 17:15</a>), to show them that he now meant to act as the goel, or blood-avenger of his brothers. Up till this time these great chiefs seem to have been led in triumph on their camels, in all their splendid apparel and golden ornaments; and they may have thought, with Agag, that the bitterness of death was passed.Whom ye slew at Tabor?--We are left completely in the dark as to the circumstances of this battle, or massacre. In the complete uncertainty as to all the details of the chronology, it is not impossible that Gideon's brothers--at least three or four in number--may have perished in Barak's "battle of Mount Tabor," or in some early struggle of this Midianite invasion, or in the first night battle (<a href="/judges/7-22.htm" title="And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, to Tabbath.">Judges 7:22</a>).As thou . . . so they.--A similar phrase occurs in <a href="/1_kings/22-4.htm" title="And he said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.">1Kings 22:4</a>.Resembled the children of a king.--We learn from this reference that Gideon added to his other gifts that tall, commanding presence which always carried weight in early days (<a href="/1_samuel/10-24.htm" title="And Samuel said to all the people, See you him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.">1Samuel 10:24</a>; <a href="/context/1_samuel/16-6.htm" title="And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.">1Samuel 16:6-7</a>). In Iliad, iii. 170, Priam says: "One so fair I never saw with my eyes, nor so stately, for he is like a king" (??????? ??? ????? ??????). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - What manner of men, etc. An incident not before related is here brought to light, viz., that on some unknown occasion, possibly as soon as the rising of the Israelites under Gideon became known, or when, as related in <a href="/judges/6-2.htm">Judges 6:2</a>, they had sought to hide themselves in Mount Tabor, but had been caught, Zebah and Zalmunna had put to death Gideon's brothers. We may observe in passing how characteristic this is of a true narrative in which every. thing that happened cannot possibly be related (see <a href="/judges/10-11.htm">Judges 10:11, 12</a>, note). The word here rendered what manner of, i.e. of what sort, means, in every other place in which it occurs, where? and the sense of what sort is only inferred from the answer, As thou art, so were they. But it is not safe thus to change the universal meaning of a common word. It is better to take the words of Gideon, Where are the men whom ye slew at Tabor? as an upbraiding of them for the murder of his brethren, and a threat that where they were their murderers would soon be. The answer of Zebah and Zalmunna, which is not given in its entirety, was no doubt intended to be soothing and deprecatory of Gideon's wrath. They pleaded the necessity they were under in self-defence to slay them; they were men of such royal stature and prowess that their own lives would have been in danger had they spared them. But Gideon turned a deaf ear to their plea. He must avenge the death of his own brothers, his own mother's sons. He would have spared them as prisoners of war (<a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">2 Kings 6:22</a>), but he must do his part as goel or avenger (<a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Numbers 35:12</a>). Observe the stress laid on their being not merely his father's sons by another wife, but his own mother's sons, a much more tender relation (cf. Psalm 50:0). <a href="/commentaries/judges/8-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Next, [Gideon] asked וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say Zebah זֶ֙בַח֙ (ze·ḇaḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2078.htm">Strong's 2078: </a> Zebah -- a Midianite king and Zalmunna, צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע (ṣal·mun·nā‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6759.htm">Strong's 6759: </a> Zalmunna -- a king of Midian “What kind אֵיפֹה֙ (’ê·p̄ōh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_375.htm">Strong's 375: </a> What place?, when?, how? of men הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person did you kill הֲרַגְתֶּ֖ם (hă·raḡ·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent at Tabor?” בְּתָב֑וֹר (bə·ṯā·ḇō·wr) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8396.htm">Strong's 8396: </a> Tabor -- a mountain Southwest of the Sea of Galilee “Men like you,” כָּמ֣וֹךָ (kā·mō·w·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3644.htm">Strong's 3644: </a> Like, as, when they answered, וַֽיֹּאמרוּ֙‪‬‪‬‪‬ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “[each] one אֶחָ֕ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first resembling כְּתֹ֖אַר (kə·ṯō·’ar) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8389.htm">Strong's 8389: </a> Outline, figure, appearance the son בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of a king.” הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/8-18.htm">Judges 8:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/8-18.htm">OT History: Judges 8:18 Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/8-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 8:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 8:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/8-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 8:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 8:19" /></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>