Judges 8:21-24

8:21 Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon, ¹  “Come on, ²  you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength.” ³  So Gideon killed ⁴  Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent-shaped ornaments which were on the necks of their camels.

Gideon Rejects a Crown but Makes an Ephod

8:22 The men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son, and your grandson. For you have delivered us from Midian’s power.” ⁵  8:23 Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” 8:24 Gideon continued, ⁶  “I would like to make one request. Each of you give me an earring from the plunder you have taken.” ⁷  (The Midianites ⁸  had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)

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¹ tn The words “to Gideon” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

² tn Or “Arise.”

³ tn Heb “for as the man is his strength.”

⁴ tn Heb “arose and killed.”

⁵ tn Heb “hand.”

⁶ tn Heb “said to them.”

⁷ tn Heb “Give to me, each one, an earring from his plunder.”

⁸ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the Midianites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.