Judges 8:24

22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.

23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

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
Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)
KJV
And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
WEB
Gideon said to them, “I do have a request: that you would each give me the earrings of his plunder.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
ASV
And Gideon said unto them, I would make a request of you, that ye would give me every man the ear-rings of his spoil. (For they had golden ear-rings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
DARBY
And Gideon said to them, I would desire a request of you: give me every man the earrings of his booty; for they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.
BLB
And Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you⁺, that would give to me, each of you, the rings from his plunder.” (For gold rings [were] unto them, because they [were] Ishmaelites.)
ÅB
Og Gideon sa til dem: Jeg vil be dere om noe: at dere alle vil gi meg de ringer dere har tatt til bytte! For midianittene gikk med gullringer; de var ismaelitter.
OTB
Gideon sa: «Jeg har én forespørsel, at hver av dere gir meg en ørering fra deres andel av byttet.» (Det var skikken blant ismaelittene å bære gulløreringer.)
B1930
Og Gideon sa til dem: Jeg vil be eder om noget: at I alle vil gi mig de ringer I har tatt til bytte! For midianittene gikk med gullringer; de var ismaelitter.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 25:13

    And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

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  • Exodus 32:3

    And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

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  • Genesis 37:25

    And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

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  • Genesis 37:28

    Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

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  • 1 Peter 3:3–5

    Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

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  • 1 Kings 20:11

    And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

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  • Genesis 24:53

    And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 12:35

    And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

    Read in context