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.