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 8:6KJV
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Judges 8:6 (KJV)

What does Judges 8:6 mean?

Judges 8:6 describes how the leaders of Succoth refused to help Gideon by questioning whether he had already captured Zebah and Zalmunna, the enemy kings, before they would give bread to his weary soldiers. The verse shows their reluctance to support Gideon without proof of his victory.

Gideon, leading his army in pursuit of the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna, asked the princes of Succoth for food for his tired men. The leaders (called "princes" in the verse) responded skeptically, essentially saying, "Do you already have these kings in your hand that we should risk helping you?" Their answer reveals both doubt in Gideon's success and fear of possible retaliation if he failed.

The Hebrew behind Judges 8:6

  • "Princes" (שָׂרֵי, saré): This word refers to the leading men or officials of Succoth, highlighting that it was the town's authorities making the decision, not just ordinary people.
  • "Hands" (כַּף, kaf) and "hand" (יָד, yad): The verse uses two different Hebrew words for "hand." "Kaf" often means the palm or grasp, while "yad" is a more general term for hand or power. The princes are asking if Gideon truly has control or power over the enemy kings, not just physically but in terms of victory.
  • "Bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem): This word simply means bread or food, but in this context, it represents basic support or sustenance for Gideon's army.
  • "Army" (צָבָא, tsava): This term refers to a military force, emphasizing that Gideon was not alone but leading a group of exhausted soldiers in need of help.

Why Judges 8:6 matters

  • This verse highlights the lack of faith and courage among the leaders of Succoth, who were unwilling to support Gideon without guaranteed success.
  • The response of Succoth's leaders sets up the tension for what follows in the story, where Gideon remembers their refusal and later returns to confront them.
  • The verse shows the real risks and fears faced by people living under threat from powerful enemies, explaining why the leaders hesitated to help Gideon.

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 8:10 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 8:5 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 8:10 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.