Judges 8:15
New International Version
Then Gideon came and said to the men of Sukkoth, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me by saying, ‘Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your exhausted men?’”

New Living Translation
Gideon then returned to Succoth and said to the leaders, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. When we were here before, you taunted me, saying, ‘Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your exhausted army.’”

English Standard Version
And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are exhausted?’”

Berean Standard Bible
And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”

King James Bible
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

New King James Version
Then he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you ridiculed me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men?’ ”

New American Standard Bible
And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’”

NASB 1995
He came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’”

NASB 1977
And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you reproached me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’”

Amplified Bible
He came to the men of Succoth and said, “Look here, Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are exhausted?’”

Christian Standard Bible
Then he went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. You taunted me about them, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your power that we should give bread to your exhausted men? ’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. You taunted me about them, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your power that we should give bread to your exhausted men?”

American Standard Version
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

Contemporary English Version
Gideon went to the town officials and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. Remember how you made fun of me? You said, 'We don't know if you really will defeat those two Midianite kings. So why should we feed your worn-out army?'"

English Revised Version
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna! You insulted me when you said, 'We shouldn't give your exhausted men food before you've captured Zebah and Zalmunna.'"

Good News Translation
Then Gideon went to the men of Sukkoth and said, "Remember when you refused to help me? You said that you couldn't give any food to my exhausted army because I hadn't captured Zebah and Zalmunna yet. Well, here they are!"

International Standard Version
Then Gideon approached the men of Succoth and announced, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. You criticized me about them when you said, 'Do you have Zebah and Zalmunna in custody already, so that we should give food to your weary army?'"

Majority Standard Bible
And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, ?Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ?Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men???

NET Bible
He approached the men of Succoth and said, "Look what I have! Zebah and Zalmunna! You insulted me, saying, 'You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give bread to your exhausted men?'"

New Heart English Bible
He came to the men of Succoth, and said, "Look Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he came to the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye upbraided me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread to thy men that are weary?

World English Bible
He came to the men of Succoth, and said, “See Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he comes to the men of Succoth and says, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you reproached me, saying, Is the hand of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand that we give bread to your men who [are] wearied?”

Young's Literal Translation
And he cometh in unto the men of Succoth, and saith, 'Lo Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye reproached me, saying, Is the hand of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand that we give to thy men who are wearied bread?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will come to the men of Succoth, and he will say, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna with whom ye reproached me, saying, Is the hand of Zebah and. Zalmunna now in thine hand to give bread to thy men being weary?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he came to Soccoth and said to them: Behold Zebee and Salmana, concerning whom you upbraided me, saying: Peradventure the hands of Zebee and Salmana, are in thy hands, and therefore thou demandest that we should give bread to the men that are weary and faint.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he went to Succoth, and he said to them: “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, over whom you rebuked me, saying: ‘Perhaps the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna are in your hands, and for this reason, you request that we give bread to men who are languishing and weakened.’ ”

New American Bible
So he went to the princes of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you taunted me, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give food to your weary men?’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
Then he came to the people of Succoth, and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Do you already have in your possession the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna, that we should give bread to your troops who are exhausted?’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he came to the men of Succoth and said to them, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you upbraided me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hands, that we should give bread to your servants who are faint from hunger?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he came to the men of Saquth and said to them: “Behold, Zebakh and Tsalmenna about whom you reproached me and you said to me, ‘Are Zebakh and Tsalmenna tied up in your hands, that we should give bread to your Servants who grow faint!’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said: 'Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying: Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy power, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Gedeon came to the princes of Socchoth, and said, Behold Zebee and Salmana, about whom ye reproached me, saying, Are the hands of Zebee and Salmana now in thy hand, that we should give bread to thy men that are faint?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna
14There he captured a young man of Succoth and interrogated him. The young man wrote down for him the names of the seventy-seven leaders and elders of Succoth. 15And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’” 16Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth.…

Cross References
Judges 7:2-7
Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” ...

Judges 6:36-40
Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, / then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” / And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. ...

1 Samuel 15:17-19
And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel / and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’ / So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush upon the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”

1 Samuel 12:3-5
Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied.

1 Kings 18:17-18
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” / “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

1 Samuel 10:27
But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.

1 Samuel 17:28-30
Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!” / “What have I done now?” said David. “Was it not just a question?” / Then he turned from him toward another and asked about the offer, and those people answered him just as the first ones had answered.

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...

2 Kings 5:25-27
When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied. / But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? / Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.

Matthew 21:23-27
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. / What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ...

Luke 20:1-8
One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. / “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: ...

John 18:19-24
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. / “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. / Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.” ...

Matthew 26:59-68
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” ...

Mark 14:55-65
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he came to the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men that are weary?

upbraid

Judges 8:6,7
And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army? …

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Bread Hand Hands Power Succoth Taunt Upbraid Upbraided Weary Zalmunna Zebah
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Bread Hand Hands Power Succoth Taunt Upbraid Upbraided Weary Zalmunna Zebah
Judges 8
1. Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites
4. Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army
10. Zebah and Zalmunna are taken
13. Succoth and Penuel are destroyed
17. Gideon revenges his brothers's death on Zebah and Zalmunna
22. He refuses government
24. His ephod the cause of idolatry
28. Midian subdued
29. Gideon's children, and death
33. The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude














Then Gideon came to the men of Succoth
Gideon, a judge and mighty warrior chosen by God, returns to the men of Succoth. The name "Gideon" means "hewer" or "one who cuts down," reflecting his role in cutting down the enemies of Israel. Succoth, meaning "booths" or "tents," was a city east of the Jordan River. Historically, this area was significant as a place where Jacob built shelters for his livestock (Genesis 33:17). The men of Succoth had previously refused to assist Gideon, showing a lack of faith and support for God's chosen deliverer.

and said, 'Here are Zebah and Zalmunna
Zebah and Zalmunna were kings of Midian, representing the oppressive forces against Israel. Their names, meaning "sacrifice" and "protection withheld," respectively, symbolize the spiritual and physical oppression Israel faced. Gideon's capture of these kings demonstrates God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promise to give Israel victory over their enemies. This moment is a testament to God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting in His plans.

about whom you taunted me, saying
The men of Succoth had mocked Gideon, doubting his ability to defeat the Midianite kings. This taunting reflects a broader theme of disbelief and lack of support that God's chosen leaders often face. In a spiritual sense, it serves as a reminder of the challenges believers encounter when standing firm in faith against opposition and skepticism.

‘Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession
The phrase "hands of Zebah and Zalmunna" symbolizes the power and control over these kings. In ancient times, capturing an enemy's hands was a sign of victory and dominance. This imagery underscores the completeness of Gideon's triumph, as he now holds the very symbols of Midianite power. It also highlights the importance of perseverance in faith, as Gideon did not waver despite the doubts cast upon him.

that we should give bread to your weary men?’
The refusal to provide bread to Gideon's men reflects a lack of hospitality and support for God's mission. Bread, a staple of life, symbolizes sustenance and provision. The men of Succoth failed to recognize the divine mission Gideon was on, prioritizing their immediate concerns over God's greater plan. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers to support and nourish those who labor for God's kingdom, trusting in His provision and purpose.

(15) That are weary.--The addition of these words enhances the guilt of these elders, though the exhaustion of Gideon's force may have seemed to them a reason for alarm, lest their pursuit should end in rout.

Verse 15. - The men of Succoth. Meaning the princes and elders.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And [Gideon] went
וַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the men
אַנְשֵׁ֣י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Succoth
סֻכּ֔וֹת (suk·kō·wṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5523: Succoth -- a city East of the Jordan, also a place in Egypt

and said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Here
הִנֵּ֖ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

are Zebah
זֶ֣בַח (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2078: Zebah -- a Midianite king

and Zalmunna,
וְצַלְמֻנָּ֑ע (wə·ṣal·mun·nā‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6759: Zalmunna -- a king of Midian

about whom
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you taunted
חֵרַפְתֶּ֨ם (ḥê·rap̄·tem)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2778: To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter

me,
אוֹתִ֜י (’ō·w·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

saying,
לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘[Are] the hands
הֲ֠כַף (hă·ḵap̄)
Article | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

of Zebah
זֶ֣בַח (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2078: Zebah -- a Midianite king

and Zalmunna
וְצַלְמֻנָּ֤ע (wə·ṣal·mun·nā‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6759: Zalmunna -- a king of Midian

already
עַתָּה֙ (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

in your possession,
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ (bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we should give
נִתֵּ֛ן (nit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

bread
לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

to your weary
הַיְּעֵפִ֖ים (hay·yə·‘ê·p̄îm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3286: To be weary, faint

men???
לַאֲנָשֶׁ֥יךָ (la·’ă·nā·še·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


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OT History: Judges 8:15 He came to the men of Succoth (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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