Juges - Caput 8

Juges 8.1 dixeruntque ad eum viri Ephraim quid est hoc quod facere voluisti ut non nos vocares cum ad pugnam pergeres contra Madian iurgantes fortiter et prope vim inferentes Juges 8.2 quibus ille respondit quid enim tale facere potui quale vos fecistis nonne melior est racemus Ephraim vindemiis Abiezer Juges 8.3 in manus vestras tradidit Dominus principes Madian Oreb et Zeb quid tale facere potui quale vos fecistis quod cum locutus esset requievit spiritus eorum quo tumebant contra eum Juges 8.4 cumque venisset Gedeon ad Iordanem transivit eum cum trecentis viris qui secum erant et prae lassitudine fugientes persequi non poterant Juges 8.5 dixitque ad viros Soccoth date obsecro panes populo qui mecum est quia valde defecerunt ut possimus persequi Zebee et Salmana reges Madian Juges 8.6 responderunt principes Soccoth forsitan palmae manuum Zebee et Salmana in manu tua sunt et idcirco postulas ut demus exercitui tuo panes Juges 8.7 quibus ille ait cum ergo tradiderit Dominus Zebee et Salmana in manus meas conteram carnes vestras cum spinis tribulisque deserti Juges 8.8 et inde conscendens venit in Phanuhel locutusque est ad viros eius loci similia cui et illi responderunt sicut responderant viri Soccoth Juges 8.9 dixit itaque et eis cum reversus fuero victor in pace destruam turrem hanc Juges 8.10 Zebee autem et Salmana requiescebant cum omni exercitu suo quindecim milia enim viri remanserant ex omnibus turmis orientalium populorum caesis centum viginti milibus bellatorum et educentium gladium Juges 8.11 ascendensque Gedeon per viam eorum qui in tabernaculis morabantur ad orientalem partem Nobee et Iecbaa percussit castra hostium qui securi erant et nihil adversi suspicabantur Juges 8.12 fugeruntque Zebee et Salmana quos persequens Gedeon conprehendit turbato omni exercitu eorum Juges 8.13 revertensque de bello ante solis ortum Juges 8.14 adprehendit puerum de viris Soccoth interrogavitque eum nomina principum et seniorum Soccoth et descripsit septuaginta septem viros Juges 8.15 venitque ad Soccoth et dixit eis en Zebee et Salmana super quibus exprobrastis mihi dicentes forsitan manus Zebee et Salmana in manibus tuis sunt et idcirco postulas ut demus viris qui lassi sunt et defecerunt panes Juges 8.16 tulit ergo seniores civitatis et spinas deserti ac tribulos et contrivit cum eis atque comminuit viros Soccoth Juges 8.17 turrem quoque Phanuhel subvertit occisis habitatoribus civitatis Juges 8.18 dixitque ad Zebee et Salmana quales fuerunt viri quos occidistis in Thabor qui responderunt similes tui et unus ex eis quasi filius regis Juges 8.19 quibus ille ait fratres mei fuerunt filii matris meae vivit Dominus si servassetis eos non vos occiderem Juges 8.20 dixitque Ietther primogenito suo surge et interfice eos qui non eduxit gladium timebat enim quia adhuc puer erat Juges 8.21 dixeruntque Zebee et Salmana tu surge et inrue in nos quia iuxta aetatem robur est hominis surrexit Gedeon et interfecit Zebee et Salmana et tulit ornamenta ac bullas quibus colla regalium camelorum decorari solent Juges 8.22 dixeruntque omnes viri Israhel ad Gedeon dominare nostri tu et filius tuus et filius filii tui quia liberasti nos de manu Madian Juges 8.23 quibus ille ait non dominabor vestri nec dominabitur in vos filius meus sed dominabitur Dominus Juges 8.24 dixitque ad eos unam petitionem postulo a vobis date mihi inaures ex praeda vestra inaures enim aureas Ismahelitae habere consuerant Juges 8.25 qui responderunt libentissime dabimus expandentesque super terram pallium proiecerunt in eo inaures de praeda Juges 8.26 et fuit pondus postulatarum inaurium mille septingenti auri sicli absque ornamentis et monilibus et veste purpurea quibus Madian reges uti soliti erant et praeter torques aureos camelorum Juges 8.27 fecitque ex eo Gedeon ephod et posuit illud in civitate sua Ephra fornicatusque est omnis Israhel in eo et factum est Gedeoni et omni domui eius in ruinam Juges 8.28 humiliatus est autem Madian coram filiis Israhel nec potuerunt ultra elevare cervices sed quievit terra per quadraginta annos quibus praefuit Gedeon Juges 8.29 abiit itaque Hierobbaal filius Ioas et habitavit in domo sua Juges 8.30 habuitque septuaginta filios qui egressi sunt de femore eius eo quod plures haberet uxores Juges 8.31 concubina autem illius quam habebat in Sychem genuit ei filium nomine Abimelech Juges 8.32 mortuusque est Gedeon filius Ioas in senectute bona et sepultus in sepulchro Ioas patris sui in Ephra de familia Ezri Juges 8.33 postquam autem mortuus est Gedeon aversi sunt filii Israhel et fornicati cum Baalim percusseruntque cum Baal foedus ut esset eis in deum Juges 8.34 nec recordati sunt Domini Dei sui qui eruit eos de manu omnium inimicorum suorum per circuitum Juges 8.35 nec fecerunt misericordiam cum domo Hierobbaal Gedeon iuxta omnia bona quae fecerat Israheli

Juges : Caput 8

Reflections on Judges Chapter 8

Judges chapter 8 represents a poignant conclusion to Gideon's story, revealing the challenges that arise after a decisive victory. This text highlights the final persecution by the Midianite kings, the internal conflicts within Israel, and Gideon's own moral decline. Through this analysis, we discover essential themes such as leadership, temptation, and the consequences of unwise choices.

Major Themes

Gideon's creation of the ephod proves to be a trap for the people of Israel, illustrating how a decision, even one well-intentioned, can lead to disastrous results. As we delve into this complex chapter, we invite you to explore five biblical passages that resonate with the themes of success and temptation.

Revealing Bible Passages

Acts 7:45: "Now our ancestors, under the leadership of Joshua, received the tent and brought it with them when they captured the land from the nations whom God had driven out before them. The tent remained in the land until the time of David." This passage refers to the period of the judges, including the time of Gideon in Judges 8.

Hosea 10:14: "The noise of battle will rise against your people, and all your strongholds will be laid waste, as Shalman laid waste Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers and their children were cut in pieces." Hosea evokes events similar to those in Judges 8:18-21, where Gideon executes judgment on the Midianite kings.

1 Samuel 8:7: "And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Listen to all that the people say to you: They have not rejected you as king, but they have rejected me as their king.'" This verse echoes Judges 8:22-23, where Gideon refuses to be king, affirming that the Lord will be their king.

Deuteronomy 7:16: "You must destroy all the peoples the Lord your God gives you. Do not look with pity on them or worship their gods, for that will be a snare for you." This commandment contrasts with Gideon's actions in Judges 8:24-27, where he makes an idol that becomes a trap for the people.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12: "God said to Solomon, '... since you have not asked for riches, wealth, honor, or the death of your enemies... I will give you wisdom and knowledge...'" This passage contrasts with Judges 8:29-32, where Gideon accumulates wealth and takes many wives, thus straying from the path of divine wisdom.

Conclusion

This chapter of Judges invites us to reflect on our own lives and decisions. It emphasizes the importance of vigilance in the face of temptation and the need to turn to the Lord as our guide and king. In a world where challenges and seductions are omnipresent, may our faith and wisdom lead us on the path of truth.