And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

JUDGES 8:23KJV
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Judges 8:23 (KJV)

What does Judges 8:23 mean?

Judges 8:23 records Gideon’s answer when the Israelites ask him to become their ruler. He refuses to establish a ruling family and says that the LORD, Israel’s God, is the one who will rule over them.

The request follows Gideon’s victory over Midian in the preceding verse. Gideon’s answer names both himself and his son, addressing the offer of leadership passing from one generation to the next.

The Hebrew behind Judges 8:23

  • “rule” — מָשַׁל (mashal): This word means to govern or exercise authority. The same Hebrew word stands behind all three uses of “rule” in Gideon’s answer, drawing a direct contrast between his family’s rule and the LORD’s rule.
  • “LORD” — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God. The KJV prints it as “LORD” in capital letters, distinguishing the name from an ordinary title.

Why Judges 8:23 matters

  • Gideon’s answer responds to more than an offer of personal leadership. In verse 22, the Israelites ask Gideon, his son, and his grandson to rule, showing that they have a lasting family line in mind.
  • The reason for the request is Gideon’s victory: the people say he has delivered them from Midian. Gideon’s reply redirects their attention from the man who led them to the LORD.
  • Gideon’s later actions complicate the picture of his leadership. Judges 8:27 says that an object he made became a snare to him and his household, even after his refusal to rule.

Where else these words appear

“Gideon” Hebrew H1439 · used in 37 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • Judges 7:4 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
  • 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.

“rule” Hebrew H4910 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
  • Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.