Judges 8:23

23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.”

Judges 8:23 in Other Translations

23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

23 Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you."

23 But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD will rule over you!

23 Gideon said, "I most certainly will not rule over you, nor will my son. God will reign over you."

23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: Jehovah shall rule over you.

23 Gideon replied, "I will not rule you nor will my son. The LORD will rule you."

23 But Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you."

23 But Gideon told them, "I will not rule over you. My son won't rule over you either. The LORD will rule over you."

Judges 8:23 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 8:23

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you
Not that he declined the government of them as a judge, to which he was raised of God, but as a king, for which he had no authority and call from God; the choice of a king belonging to him, and not to the people:

neither shall my son rule over you;
which Abarbinel thinks he spake as a prophet, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; for after his death neither Jether his eldest son, nor any of the rest of his legitimate sons, ruled over them; for they were all slain by Abimelech, the son of his concubine, who was made king:

the Lord shall rule over you;
as he did; their government was a theocracy, which they would have changed, but Gideon would not agree to it.

Judges 8:23 In-Context

21 Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Come, do it yourself. ‘As is the man, so is his strength.’ ” So Gideon stepped forward and killed them, and took the ornaments off their camels’ necks.

22 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”

23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.”

24 And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.” (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings.)

25 They answered, “We’ll be glad to give them.” So they spread out a garment, and each of them threw a ring from his plunder onto it.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 16:8; S Numbers 11:20; 1 Samuel 8:7; 1 Samuel 10:19; 1 Samuel 12:12