Judges 8:3

Words and speech Anger Conflict and reconciliation Humility

¹ Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently.

² But Gideon answered them, “Now what have I accomplished compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?

God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, into your hand. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided.

⁴ Then Gideon and his three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it, exhausted yet still in pursuit.

⁵ So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, into your hand. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided.
KJV: God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
WEB: God has delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb! What was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger was abated toward him when he had said that.
ASV: God hath delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison with you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
DARBY: Into your hands hath God delivered the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and what was I able to do in comparison with you? Then their spirit was appeased toward him, when he said that word.
BLB: Into your⁺ hands God has delivered the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do compared to you⁺?” Then their spirit subsided toward him when he said this word.

ÅB: I deres hånd gav Gud midianittenes fyrster, Oreb og Se'eb, og hva har jeg maktet å gjøre som kan lignes med det dere har gjort? Da han talte slik, la deres vrede seg, og de lot ham være i fred.
OTB: Gud overga Oreb og Seeb, lederne av Midjan, i deres hender. Hva kunne jeg gjøre i sammenligning med dere?» Da stilnet deres vrede mot ham.
B1930: I eders hånd gav Gud midianittenes fyrster, Oreb og Se'eb, og hvad har jeg maktet å gjøre som kan lignes med det I har gjort? Da han talte således, la deres vrede sig, og de lot ham være i fred.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Read in context
Judges 7:24–25
Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim to say, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth-barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth-barah.
Read in context
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
Read in context
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Read in context
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
Read in context
Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Read in context
Psalms 118:14–16
The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.
Read in context
Psalms 44:3
For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.
Read in context