Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.

JUDGES 8:18KJV
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Judges 8:18 (KJV)

What does Judges 8:18 mean?

Judges 8:18 describes Gideon questioning Zebah and Zalmunna about the men they killed at Tabor, and the two captured kings reply that the men looked like Gideon himself—each one resembling the children of a king. This exchange reveals that the slain men were distinguished in appearance, suggesting nobility or royal bearing.

Gideon is speaking to Zebah and Zalmunna, two Midianite kings he has captured after a battle. He asks them about the identity of men they killed earlier at Mount Tabor. Their answer, that the men looked like Gideon and had the appearance of royal sons, hints that these were likely Gideon's own relatives, which sets up Gideon's next actions in the story.

The Hebrew behind Judges 8:18

  • "Resembled" (תָּאַר, ta'ar): This word means to have the form or appearance of something. Here, it emphasizes that the men at Tabor looked outwardly impressive, like sons of a king, not just ordinary people.
  • "Children" (בֵּן, ben): While often translated as "sons," in this context it points to lineage or descent, highlighting the noble status of the men who were killed.
  • "King" (מֶלֶךְ, melek): The use of "king" underlines the high status or dignity of the men, making it clear why their deaths would have been especially significant to Gideon.

Why Judges 8:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies why Gideon is personally invested in confronting Zebah and Zalmunna, as it suggests a family connection to the men killed at Tabor.
  • The description of the slain men as resembling "children of a king" shows that the conflict was not just military but also personal and tied to issues of honor and lineage.
  • Understanding this exchange helps explain Gideon's actions in the following verses, as it provides the motive for his response to the Midianite kings.

Where else these words appear

“Zebah” Hebrew H2078 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 8:5 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.
  • Judges 8:7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
  • Judges 8:15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

“Zalmunna” Hebrew H6759 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 8:5 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.
  • Judges 8:7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
  • Judges 8:15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

“What” Hebrew H375 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 37:16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
  • 2 Samuel 9:4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
  • Isaiah 49:21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?

“Tabor” Hebrew H8396 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 19:22 And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.
  • Judges 4:14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
  • Psalms 89:12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.