Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 8:22-28

Here is, I. Gideon's laudable modesty, after his great victory, in refusing the government which the people offered him. 1. It was honest in them to offer it: Rule thou over us, for thou hast delivered us, Jdg. 7:22. They thought it very reasonable that he who had gone through the toils and perils of their deliverance should enjoy the honour and power of commanding them ever afterwards, and very desirable that he who in this great and critical juncture had had such manifest tokens of God's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 8:24

And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you ,.... Which he thought they would scarcely deny, and it was now a fair opportunity to make it, since they had offered him a crown, or to be king over them: and the favour he asked was: that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey ; or, "an earring of his prey"; for it is in the singular number; every man one earring, as Abarbinel interprets it; for though they might have more, yet only one ear ring of every man is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 8:25

And they answered, we will willingly give them ,.... Or, "in giving we will give" F4 נתון נתן "dando dabimus", Pagninus, Montanus. ; give them with all their hearts, most freely and cheerfully: and they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey ; every man one, which would amount to no more than three hundred; though perhaps those who joined in the pursuit might take many more, or otherwise the weight of them would not amount to what in the next... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 8:26

And the weight of the golden earrings he requested was one thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold ,.... Which, as Schcuchzer F5 Physica Sacra, vol. 3. p. 468. computes, was eight hundred and ten ounces, five drachms, one scruple, and ten grains, of the weight of physicians; but as reckoned by Moatanus F6 Tubal Cain, p. 15. amounted to eight hundred and fifty ounces, and were of the value of 6800 crowns of gold; and, according to Waserus F7 De Numis. Heb. l. 2. c. 10. ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 8:27

And Gideon made an ephod thereof ,.... That is, of some of this gold; for such a quantity could never have been expanded on an ephod only, even taking it not for a linen ephod, but such an one as the high priest wore, made of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with curious work, together with a curious girdle of the same work; unless we suppose such a breastplate with it, of twelve precious stones, as Aaron had; and with little images of teraphim or cherubim in it, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:24

Give me every man the ear-rings of his prey - The spoils taken from their enemies in this warfare. This is a transaction very like to that of the Israelites and Aaron; when they brought him their golden ear-rings, out of which he made the molten calf, Exodus 32:2 , etc. Whether Gideon designed this ephod for an instrument of worship, or merely as a trophy, is not very clear. It is most likely that he had intended to establish a place of worship at Ophrah; and he took this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:26

The weight of the golden ear-rings - was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold - Taking the shekel at half an ounce weight, the sum of the gold collected in ear-rings was seventy pounds ten ounces; and worth, as gold now rates, about £3,100 sterling. This computation of the weight of the golden ear-rings, taken from the slaughtered Ishmaelites, will bring to the reader's mind the slaughter of the Roman knights by the Carthaginians at the battle of Cannae,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:27

Gideon made an ephod thereof - That is, he made an ephod out of this mass of gold; but he could not employ it all in making this one garment, for it is not likely that any man could wear a coat of nearly one hundred pounds weight. It is likely that he made a whole tabernacle service in miniature out of this gold. All Israel went thither a whoring after it - This form of speech often occurs, and has been often explained. The whole Jewish nation is represented as... 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

Group of Brands