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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:5

Give , I pray you , loaves of bread - As Gideon was engaged in the common cause of Israel, he had a right to expect succor from the people at large. His request to the men of Succoth and Penuel was both just and reasonable. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:6

Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand - They feared to help Gideon, lest, if he should be overpowered, the Midianites would revenge it upon them; and they dared not trust God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:7

I will tear your flesh - What this punishment consisted in I cannot say; it must mean a severe punishment: as if he had said, I will thresh your flesh with briers and thorns, as corn is threshed out with threshing instruments; or, Ye shall be trodden down under the feet of my victorious army, as the corn is trodden out with the feet of the ox. Succoth was beyond Jordan, in the tribe of Gad. Penuel was also in the same tribe, and not far distant from Succoth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:9

I will break down this tower - Probably they had not only denied him, but insultingly pointed to a tower in which their chief defense lay; and intimated to him that he might do his worst, for they could amply defend themselves. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:10

Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor - If this were a place, it is nowhere else mentioned in Scripture. Some contend that קרקר karkor signifies rest; and thus the Vulgate understood it: Zebah and Zalmunna requiescebant , rested, with all their army. And this seems the most likely, for it is said, Judges 8:11 , that Gideon smote the host, for the host was secure. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:5

Succoth was in the tribe of Gad which was entirely trans-Jordanic Joshua 13:27; and the ruins are at Sukkot, on the east of Jordan, a little south of Bethshan.Give, I pray you etc. - Gideon might fairly expect so much aid from the trans-Jordanic tribes, and from so considerable a town as Succoth Judges 8:14. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:6

The number of the followers of Zebah and Zalmunna was still so formidable, and Gideon’s enterprise still so doubtful, that the men of Succoth (being on the same side of the Jordan) would not risk the vengeance of the Midianites by giving supplies to Gideon’s men. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:8

Succoth was in the valley or Ghor of the Jordan Judges 8:5, and Penuel apparently in the mountain. No identification of Penuel has taken place. It was south of the Brook Jabbok, and on Jacob’s way to Succoth. Gideon, journeying in the opposite direction to Jacob, comes from Succoth to Penuel. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:10

Zebah and Zalmunna seem to have fled nearly due east to Karkor, which was probably an enclosure of some kind (perhaps a walled sheepfold, compare Numbers 31:32 note). Its site is unknown; but it was near Nobah, in the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead Numbers 32:40, and Jogbehah was in the tribe of Gad Numbers 32:34-35. Gideon, perhaps taking a circuit so as to come upon them from the east, fell suddenly upon them, apparently at night, surprised them, and smote them. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 8:4

Judges 8:4. Gideon came to Jordan and passed over Or rather, had passed over, for he went over Jordan before Oreb and Zeeb were taken; but this is not mentioned till now, that what concerned the Ephraimites might be related all together, without interruption. And the three hundred men with him Who here show the same noble spirit, fortitude, contempt of ease, and regard to what they were engaged in, which Gideon manifested; for though they were faint with hunger, and much fatigued through... read more

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