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 8:18KJVWhat 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.