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Judges 8:23

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 8:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: Jehovah shall rule over you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: Jehovah shall rule over you.
Judges 8:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20And he said unto Jether his first-born, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword; for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
21Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us; for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescents that were on their camels` necks.
22Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son`s son also; for thou hast saved us out of the hand of Midian.
23And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: Jehovah shall rule over you.
24And Gideon said unto them, I would make a request of you, that ye would give me every man the ear-rings of his spoil. (For they had golden ear-rings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
25And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the ear-rings of his spoil.
26And the weight of the golden ear-rings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred [shekels] of gold, besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were about their camels` necks.
← Judges 8:22Judges 8:24 →
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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 Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, etc.] Not that he declined the government of them as a judge, to which he was raised of God, but as a king, for which he had no authority and call from God; the choice of a king belonging to him, and not to the people: neither shall my son rule over you; which Abarbinel thinks he spake as a prophet, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; for after his death neither Jether his eldest son, nor any of the rest of his legitimate sons, ruled over them; for they were all slain by Abimelech, the son of his concubine, who was made king: the Lord shall rule over you; as he did; their government was a theocracy, which they would have changed,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I will not rule - As a king. The Lord shall rule - In a special manner, as he hath hitherto done, by judges, whom God particularly appointed and directed, even by Urim and Thummim, and assisted upon all occasions; whereas Kings had only a general dependance upon God. Judges 8:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will: Jdg 2:18, Jdg 10:18, Jdg 11:9-11; Luk 22:24-27; Co2 1:24; Pe1 5:3 the Lord: Sa1 8:6, Sa1 8:7, Sa1 10:19, Sa1 12:12; Isa 33:22, Isa 63:19 Judges 8:24”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification