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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:32

Gideon - died in a good old age - Supposed to have been A.M. 2799; b.c. 1205. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:24

In this desire for gold Gideon falls to the level of ordinary men, and we may see in it the first decline of his glory, leading to a sad tarnishing of the luster of his bright name. The idolatrous honor paid to Gideon’s ephod was probably a source of revenue to his house. Contrast the conduct of Abraham Genesis 14:21-23, and of Elisha 2Ki 5:16, 2 Kings 5:26.The “ear-ring” here mentioned is properly a “nose-ring” (compare Genesis 24:22 note). The custom of wearing nose-rings prevails in Eastern... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:25

They spread ... - The Septuagint reads “He spread his garment.” read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:26

If the Ishmaelite nose-rings were half a shekel in weight, then 1,700 shekels weight of gold implied that 3,400 persons wearing, gold rings had been slain. The “collars” were rather “ear-drops.” read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:27

The ephod was that particular part of the high priest’s dress which was necessary to be worst when he inquired of God by Urim and Thummim. It seems that Gideon being now the civil ruler, desired to have an ephod of his own, kept in his own city, to he worn by the priest whenever Gideon might summon him to inquire of the Lord for him. His relations with the tribe of Ephraim probably made him unwilling to resort to Shiloh. Compare the act of Jeroboam 1 Kings 12:28. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:31

Abimelech’s mother was not reckoned among the wives, being, probably, one of the Canaanite population in Shechem Judges 9:28 : neither was Abimelech himself reckoned with the 70 other sons of Jerubbaal (Judges 9:24. Compare Judges 11:1-2). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 8:22

Judges 8:22. Rule thou over us Not as a judge, for as such he already ruled over them, but as a king; both thou and thy son, &c. Let the kingdom be hereditary to thee and to thy family. For thou hast delivered us This miraculous and extraordinary deliverance by thy hands deserves no less from us. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 8:23

Judges 8:23. I will not rule over you As a king. He rejected their offer, because he looked upon God as their king, who appointed what deputy he pleased to govern them; and because he considered this proposal as an effort, or at least as tending to alter that form of government which God had instituted and had given them no authority to change. The Lord shall rule over you In a special manner, as he hath hitherto done by judges. These God particularly appointed and directed in all the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 8:24

Judges 8:24. Because they were Ishmaelites A mixture of people all called by one general name, Ishmaelites or Arabians, who used to wear ear-rings; but the greatest and the ruling part of them were Midianites. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 8:27

Judges 8:27 . Gideon made an ephod thereof Not of all of it; for then it would have been too heavy for use; but of part of it, the rest being probably employed about other things appertaining to it; which elsewhere are comprehended under the name of the ephod, as Judges 17:5. Put it in his city Not as a monument of the victory, for such monuments were neither proper nor usual; but for religious use, for which alone the ephod was appointed. The case seems to be this: Gideon having by God’s... read more

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