BibleWord.ai› Bible› Judges› Chapter 8› Verse 12

Judges 8:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 8:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Zebah and Zalmunna fled; and he pursued after them; and he took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Zebah and Zalmunna fled; and he pursued after them; and he took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
Judges 8:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
10Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the host of the children of the east; for there fell a hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
11And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure.
12And Zebah and Zalmunna fled; and he pursued after them; and he took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
13And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.
14And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, seventy and seven men.
15And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
← Judges 8:11Judges 8:13 →
← Full Chapter 8 Judges Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, etc.] Their host being smitten and thrown into confusion by the sudden approach of Gideon’s army; and who probably attacked them in somewhat like manner as before, blowing their trumpets, and calling out the sword of the Lord and of Gideon; which were such terrifying sounds to them, that they fled at once: he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host; or terrified them, so that they fled some one way and some another, and the kings being left alone were easily taken.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them--A third conflict took place. His arrival at their last quarters, which was by an unwonted path, took the fugitives by surprise, and the conquest of the Midianite horde was there completed.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“took: Jos 10:16-18, Jos 10:22-25; Job 12:16-21, Job 34:19; Psa 83:11; Amo 2:14; Rev 6:15, Rev 6:16, Rev 19:19-21 discomfited: Heb. terrified Judges 8:13”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Judges 8 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification