Judges 8:3

Words and speech Anger Conflict and reconciliation Humility

¹ And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

² And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?

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.

⁴ And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.

⁵ And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, 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 soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Read in context
Judges 7:24–25
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.
Read in context
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Read in context
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Read in context
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Read in context
Proverbs 25:15
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Read in context
Psalms 118:14–16
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Read in context
Psalms 44:3
For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
Read in context