8:2 better than the grape harvest of Abiezer Gideon diplomatically concedes that the men of Ephraim are superior (in numbers and ability) to those in his own region (i.e., the Abiezrites; see 6:24, 34).

8:3 What have I been able to do in comparison with you? Gideon’s gracious answer to Ephraim turns away their anger; they have captured and killed two princes of Midian, whereas he has currently captured and killed no one. They should be happy with their accomplishment, and he recognizes its significance.

8:4 three hundred men See 7:6.

8:5 Succoth Located in the territory of Gad, north of the Jabbok River. This was the location where Jacob wrestled with the “man” who turned out to be a divine being (Gen 32).

they are weary Gideon’s army is not well provisioned, carrying only what they needed for their surprise evening assault (see Judg 7:8). Gideon apparently assumed he would be able to receive supplies from fellow Israelites, but he was wrong (see v. 6 and note).

8:6 we should give bread to your army Succoth refuses to choose sides until Gideon and his band have completely defeated the Midianites. At this point, the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, are still a threat. The response of the officials of Succoth demonstrates a lack of tribal unity and patriotism among the Israelites. Some sort of ruling city council has made this decision, since Gideon later takes 77 names from a captured man from Succoth (v. 13).

8:7 I will trample your flesh Gideon promises to retaliate against what he rightly views as their betrayal of fellow Israelites. See v. 16.

8:9 I will tear down this tower Gideon vows retaliation against Penuel (see v. 17) similar to that against Succoth.

8:10 the people of the east See 6:3 and note.

one hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen Most of this number would have died in the mass confusion of 7:22.

8:11 Nobah and Jogbehah The former site is unknown; Jogbehah is roughly 15 miles from Penuel.

those who dwell in tents Refers to a caravan route.

when it was off its guard Once out of Canaan, the Midianites assume that the Israelites will be content that their land is free; they do not expect the Israelites to pursue them into the Transjordan.

8:12 he routed the entire army Precisely what Gideon did to ambush this much larger force is unclear.

8:14 the commanders of Succoth and its elders See vv. 5–7 for the reason for Gideon’s grudge against Succoth.

8:17 He broke down the tower of Penuel See v. 9. Gideon carries out his promised retaliation for their refusal to provide for his army, their countrymen.

8:18 What type were the men whom you killed at Tabor? Gideon had focused on delivering his countrymen from Midianite oppression (6:1–10), but he now shifts attention to revenge.

the appearance of the sons of the king Rather than denying the charge, Zebah and Zalmunna praise their victims as fine men, befitting royalty—and, by inference, they praise the man who will now decide their fate.

8:19 I would not kill you To exact blood vengeance; see Judg 8:18 and note.

8:20 kill them Gideon gives his son the honor of killing the kings. This scene presumably occurs in Gideon’s home region, as his son was not likely accompanying him in battle.

he was still a boy Gideon’s son is afraid to carry out the execution.

8:21 he took the crescent ornaments Perhaps insignia marking the camels as belonging to the kings.

8:22 Rule over us A request for Gideon to become their king and begin dynastic rule in Israel.

8:23 Yahweh will rule over you Similar pressures to stave off oppression in the days of Samuel would result in the rise of King Saul (see 1 Sam 8). Here, Gideon insists that Yahweh should be the sole king in Israel. What follows through ch. 9 concerning Abimelech, Gideon’s son by a concubine, calls the sincerity of Gideon’s refusal into question (Abimelech means “my father is king”). Despite his refusal, Gideon seems to have ruled as a de facto king (compare 9:2).

8:26 crescents, pendants While Gideon may be seeking payment for his military service by asking for gold, the use of it to make an ephod suggests that Gideon is setting himself up as the highest authority in the land.

8:27 Gideon made an ephod An ephod was a type of sacred object used in divination—attempts to discern the will of God (1 Sam 23:6–12). Gideon’s ephod was gold. An ephod made of silver plays a part in the events of Judg 17–18. That ephod was set up in a shrine next to household idols (17:5; compare Hos 3:4).

all Israel prostituted themselves to it there The same language is used to describe idolatry in Judg 8:33 (compare 2:17).

8:28 the land rested for forty years No foreign nation oppressed Israel for 40 years.

8:29 Jerub-Baal son of Joash Gideon. See 6:32 and note.

8:30 he had many wives Gideon multiplies his harem, effectively creating a regional dynastic household.

8:31 he named him Abimelech Though Gideon refused Israel’s request that he rule them as a king, he gave a son a name that means “my father is king” (compare v. 23 and note).

8:33 the Baals The Hebrew text here is plural, indicating multiple Baals; this is likely a reference to multiple idols and worship sites (compare note on 2:11). Baal can mean “lord” or refer directly to the Canaanite storm god.

they made for themselves Baal-Berith as god This god’s name means “Baal (or lord) of the covenant.” In 9:46, there is a reference to the god El-Berith, meaning “El (or god) of the covenant.” The connection between these two references suggests that the Israelites had made a covenant with Baal and El (or with one god whom they referenced with both titles)—their covenant was supposed to be with Yahweh. El was the creator god and chief deity of the Canaanite pantheon, who fathered Baal.

8:35 nor did they show favor The Israelites lack respect even for Gideon’s heroism of the recent past.