Judges 8:18

16 Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth.

17 He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Next, Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?” “Men like you,” they answered, “each one resembling the son of a king.”

19 “They were my brothers,” Gideon replied, “the sons of my mother! As surely as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”

20 So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Next, Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?” “Men like you,” they answered, “each one resembling the son of a king.”
KJV
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
WEB
Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. They all resembled the children of a king.”
ASV
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
DARBY
Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna, What sort of men were they that ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the sons of a king.
BLB
And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men [were they] whom you⁺ killed at Tabor?” And they answered, “As you [are], so [were] they; each one resembled the son of a king.”
ÅB
Og han sa til Sebah Og Salmunna: Hvordan så de ut de menn som dere slo ihjel på Tabor? Og de sa: De var som du, hver av dem som en kongesønn å se til.
OTB
Så spurte han Sebah og Salmunna: «Hva slags menn drepte dere på Tabor?» De svarte: «Menn som deg, hver og en med en prins’ holdning.»
B1930
Og han sa til Sebah Og Salmunna: Hvordan så de ut de menn som I slo ihjel på Tabor? Og de sa: De var som du, hver av dem som en kongesønn å se til.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Judges 4:6

    She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Surely the LORD, the God of Israel, is commanding you: ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, taking with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun.

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:16

    These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 89:12

    North and south You created; Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 12:2

    They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

    Read in context