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 8:5KJV
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Judges 8:5 (KJV)

What does Judges 8:5 mean?

Judges 8:5 shows Gideon asking the men of Succoth to give bread to his weary soldiers as they continue to pursue the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. Gideon is not making a demand but a humble request for help, explaining that his men are exhausted from battle.

Gideon, the leader of Israel’s army, is speaking to the leaders of Succoth, a town east of the Jordan River. His soldiers have been fighting the Midianites and are physically worn out. Gideon’s request highlights both the urgency of his mission and the need for support from fellow Israelites as he chases down the enemy kings.

The Hebrew behind Judges 8:5

  • "Give" (נָתַן, natan): This word is often used for giving or granting something, and here it shows Gideon is politely asking, not commanding, for bread.
  • "Loaves" (כִּכָּר, kikkar) and "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem): "Kikkar" refers to round loaves or portions, while "lechem" is the general word for bread or food. This makes it clear Gideon is asking for basic sustenance, not luxury.
  • "Faint" (עָיֵף, ayeph): This word means weary or exhausted, emphasizing the physical state of Gideon’s men and the seriousness of their need.

Why Judges 8:5 matters

  • This verse shows Gideon’s humility and the real hardships faced by his men, rather than just focusing on victory or heroics.
  • It sets up the tension that follows, as the people of Succoth refuse to help, which becomes a key turning point in the story.
  • The request for bread connects to a larger biblical theme of hospitality and mutual support among God’s people, highlighting what is expected in times of need.

Where else these words appear

“Zebah” Hebrew H2078 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 8:6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
  • Judges 8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
  • Judges 8:18 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.

“Zalmunna” Hebrew H6759 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 8:6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
  • Judges 8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
  • Judges 8:18 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.

“Succoth” Hebrew H5523 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
  • Joshua 13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
  • Judges 8:16 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

“faint” Hebrew H5889 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 25:29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
  • 2 Samuel 17:29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
  • Isaiah 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: