Judges 8:7

7 So Gideon said, “Well then, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, ¹I will flail your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers. ”

Judges 8:7 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 8:7

And Gideon said
In answer to the princes of Succoth:

therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine
hand;
of which he made no doubt, having the promise of God that he would deliver the host of Midian into his hand, on which his faith rested; and having it in great part performed already, most firmly believed the full performance of it, see ( Judges 7:7 Judges 7:9 )

then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness, and with
briers;
which grew in a wilderness near this city, and from whence as Kimchi thinks, it had its name; the word "Succoth" being used for thorns in ( Job 41:7 ) and the sense is, either that he would scourge them with thorns and briers; or, as the Targum thrust their flesh upon them; which Kimchi interprets of casting their naked bodies upon thorns and briers, and then treading on them with the feet; or draw a cart over them as they thus lay, in like manner as it was usual to do when corn was threshed out; see ( Isaiah 28:27 ) .

Judges 8:7 In-Context

5 So he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian. ”

6 And the officials of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your army? ”

7 So Gideon said, “Well then, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will flail your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers. ”

8 And from there he went up to Penuel, and spoke to them in the same way, and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.

9 And he said to the men of Penuel, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower. ”

Cross References

• 1. 8:7 ver. 16