And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

JUDGES 8:20KJV
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Judges 8:20 (KJV)

What does Judges 8:20 mean?

Judges 8:20 shows a tense moment between Gideon and his firstborn son, Jether. Gideon orders Jether to kill two captured kings, but Jether does not draw his sword because he is afraid and still young.

The order comes after Gideon has confronted the kings about the killing of his brothers. Asking Jether to carry out the killing puts the weapon in the hands of a young member of the family. The verse focuses on Jether’s hesitation before any blow is struck.

The Hebrew behind Judges 8:20

  • “youth” — נַעַר (naʿar): This word can refer to a boy or a young man. Here, it describes Jether without giving his exact age.
  • “Up” — קוּם (qum): This word means “rise” or “get up.” Gideon’s command calls Jether to take action immediately, not merely to stand.

Why Judges 8:20 matters

  • Jether’s response is presented as fear, not a refusal to obey. The verse says he did not draw his sword “for he feared.”
  • The captives’ words in the next verse show that the choice of executioner mattered to them. They tell Gideon to kill them himself, rather than wait for the youth.
  • The family connection helps explain the force of Gideon’s order. In verse 19, Gideon identifies the men killed by the kings as his brothers, making them Jether’s uncles.

Where else these words appear

“Jether” Hebrew H3500 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 4:18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
  • 1 Kings 2:32 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:32 And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan: and Jether died without children.

“drew” Hebrew H8025 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
  • Judges 20:15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
  • 1 Samuel 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

“firstborn” Hebrew H1060 · used in 96 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Numbers 3:40 And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.