Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Gideon came and said to the men of Sukkoth, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me by saying, ‘Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your exhausted men?’” New Living Translation Gideon then returned to Succoth and said to the leaders, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. When we were here before, you taunted me, saying, ‘Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your exhausted army.’” English Standard Version And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are exhausted?’” Berean Standard Bible And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’” Berean Literal Bible And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you⁺ taunted me, saying, ‘Is the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” King James Bible And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary? New King James Version Then he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you ridiculed me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men?’ ” New American Standard Bible And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” NASB 1995 He came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” NASB 1977 And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” Legacy Standard Bible Then he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you reproached me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” Amplified Bible He came to the men of Succoth and said, “Look here, Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are exhausted?’” Berean Annotated Bible And Gideon went to the men of Succoth (booths) and said, “Here are Zebah (deprived of protection) and Zalmunna, about whom you⁺ taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men? Christian Standard Bible Then he went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. You taunted me about them, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your power that we should give bread to your exhausted men? ’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then he went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. You taunted me about them, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your power that we should give bread to your exhausted men?” American Standard Version And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary? Contemporary English Version Gideon went to the town officials and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. Remember how you made fun of me? You said, 'We don't know if you really will defeat those two Midianite kings. So why should we feed your worn-out army?'" English Revised Version And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary? GOD'S WORD® Translation Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna! You insulted me when you said, 'We shouldn't give your exhausted men food before you've captured Zebah and Zalmunna.'" Good News Translation Then Gideon went to the men of Sukkoth and said, "Remember when you refused to help me? You said that you couldn't give any food to my exhausted army because I hadn't captured Zebah and Zalmunna yet. Well, here they are!" International Standard Version Then Gideon approached the men of Succoth and announced, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. You criticized me about them when you said, 'Do you have Zebah and Zalmunna in custody already, so that we should give food to your weary army?'" NET Bible He approached the men of Succoth and said, "Look what I have! Zebah and Zalmunna! You insulted me, saying, 'You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give bread to your exhausted men?'" New Heart English Bible He came to the men of Succoth, and said, "Look Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?" Webster's Bible Translation And he came to the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye upbraided me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread to thy men that are weary? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’” World English Bible He came to the men of Succoth, and said, “See Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he comes to the men of Succoth and says, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you reproached me, saying, Is the hand of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand that we give bread to your men who [are] wearied?” Berean Literal Bible And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you⁺ taunted me, saying, ‘Is the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” Young's Literal Translation And he cometh in unto the men of Succoth, and saith, 'Lo Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye reproached me, saying, Is the hand of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand that we give to thy men who are wearied bread?' Smith's Literal Translation And he will come to the men of Succoth, and he will say, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna with whom ye reproached me, saying, Is the hand of Zebah and. Zalmunna now in thine hand to give bread to thy men being weary? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he came to Soccoth and said to them: Behold Zebee and Salmana, concerning whom you upbraided me, saying: Peradventure the hands of Zebee and Salmana, are in thy hands, and therefore thou demandest that we should give bread to the men that are weary and faint. Catholic Public Domain Version And he went to Succoth, and he said to them: “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, over whom you rebuked me, saying: ‘Perhaps the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna are in your hands, and for this reason, you request that we give bread to men who are languishing and weakened.’ ” New American Bible So he went to the princes of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you taunted me, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give food to your weary men?’ ” New Revised Standard Version Then he came to the people of Succoth, and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Do you already have in your possession the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna, that we should give bread to your troops who are exhausted?’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he came to the men of Succoth and said to them, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you upbraided me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hands, that we should give bread to your servants who are faint from hunger? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he came to the men of Saquth and said to them: “Behold, Zebakh and Tsalmenna about whom you reproached me and you said to me, ‘Are Zebakh and Tsalmenna tied up in your hands, that we should give bread to your Servants who grow faint!’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said: 'Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying: Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy power, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Gedeon came to the princes of Socchoth, and said, Behold Zebee and Salmana, about whom ye reproached me, saying, Are the hands of Zebee and Salmana now in thy hand, that we should give bread to thy men that are faint? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna…14There he captured a young man of Succoth and interrogated him. The young man wrote down for him the names of the seventy-seven leaders and elders of Succoth. 15And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’” 16Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth.… Cross References And Gideon went to the men of Succoth Genesis 33:17 but Jacob went on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth. Joshua 13:27 and in the valley, Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, with the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon (the territory on the east side of the Jordan up to the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth). 1 Kings 7:46 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan. and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, Psalm 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 1 Samuel 15:32-33 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” / But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal. 1 Samuel 17:50-51 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. / David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. about whom you taunted me, 1 Samuel 17:43-44 “Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. / “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 1 Samuel 25:10-11 But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. / Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?” Isaiah 37:22-23 this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you. / Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, Joshua 10:8 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you.” 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” 1 Samuel 24:18 And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. that we should give bread to your weary men?’” 1 Samuel 25:11 Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?” 2 Samuel 17:27-29 When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. / They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, / honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.” Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Judges 7:2-7 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” … Treasury of Scripture And he came to the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men that are weary? upbraid Judges 8:6,7 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? … Jump to Previous Bread Hand Hands Power Succoth Taunt Upbraid Upbraided Weary Zalmunna ZebahJump to Next Bread Hand Hands Power Succoth Taunt Upbraid Upbraided Weary Zalmunna ZebahJudges 8 1. Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites4. Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army 10. Zebah and Zalmunna are taken 13. Succoth and Penuel are destroyed 17. Gideon revenges his brothers's death on Zebah and Zalmunna 22. He refuses government 24. His ephod the cause of idolatry 28. Midian subdued 29. Gideon's children, and death 33. The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude And Gideon went to the men of Succoth Gideon, a judge of Israel, is returning to Succoth, a city east of the Jordan River. Succoth was a significant location during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land (Genesis 33:17). The men of Succoth had previously refused to assist Gideon and his men, showing a lack of faith and support for God's chosen leader. This reflects a broader theme of Israel's struggle with faithfulness and unity. and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’” Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his faith and leadership, yet also for his human flaws. 2. Men of Succoth Inhabitants of a city in the territory of Gad, who refused to assist Gideon and his men by providing them with bread during their pursuit of the Midianite kings. 3. Zebah and Zalmunna Kings of Midian who were pursued and captured by Gideon. Their defeat was crucial in liberating Israel from Midianite oppression. 4. Succoth A city east of the Jordan River, significant in this account for its refusal to support Gideon, which led to Gideon's rebuke and subsequent punishment of its leaders. 5. Midianites A nomadic people who oppressed Israel for seven years, leading to the rise of Gideon as a judge and deliverer. Teaching Points Faith and ObedienceGideon's journey underscores the importance of trusting in God's guidance and acting in obedience, even when facing overwhelming odds. Consequences of Inaction The men of Succoth serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of failing to support God's work and His chosen leaders. Leadership and Accountability Gideon's response to the men of Succoth illustrates the need for leaders to hold others accountable while also reflecting on their own actions and motivations. God's Deliverance The capture of Zebah and Zalmunna is a testament to God's power to deliver His people through unlikely means and individuals. Community Support The account highlights the importance of community support and unity in achieving God's purposes, reminding believers to support one another in their spiritual journeys. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 8:15?2. How does Gideon's confrontation in Judges 8:15 demonstrate accountability in leadership? 3. What does Gideon's response reveal about justice according to biblical principles? 4. How can we apply Gideon's courage in confronting wrongdoing in our lives? 5. What scriptural connections highlight the importance of truth in Judges 8:15? 6. How does Gideon's leadership reflect God's expectations for leaders today? 7. What does Judges 8:15 reveal about Gideon's leadership and character? 8. How does Judges 8:15 reflect the theme of accountability in leadership? 9. What historical context is essential to understand Judges 8:15? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 8? 11. What happened to Zebah and Zalmunna in the Bible? 12. Judges 8:4-5: Could 300 men realistically pursue thousands of Midianites without proper resources or logistical support? 13. Did Jesus judge others? (John 8:15 vs. John 5:22) 14. Judges 8:20: Why would Gideon command his young son to kill captives, and is there any historical precedent for such practices? What Does Judges 8:15 Mean And Gideon went to the men of SuccothGideon follows through on his earlier promise (Judges 8:7) by revisiting Succoth after pursuing the Midianite kings all the way to Karkor (Judges 8:10–12). • The scene shows a leader who keeps his word, echoing Joshua’s decisive follow-up against Ai (Joshua 8:18–22). • Succoth lay in the territory of Gad east of the Jordan, a place that should have welcomed fellow Israelites in need (Deuteronomy 15:7–8). • Gideon’s return also reminds us that God’s servants are accountable, not only to enemies outside but to covenant community inside (1 Peter 4:17). and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna” Gideon produces living proof of victory. • His action parallels David holding up Goliath’s head at Jerusalem (1 Samuel 17:54), a physical sign that God’s deliverance is real and complete. • What Israel’s elders could not see by faith earlier (Judges 8:6) is now undeniable. • The moment anticipates Christ’s open triumph over His foes (Colossians 2:15), showing that God publicly vindicates those who trust Him. about whom you taunted me Gideon calls out their earlier ridicule (Judges 8:6). • Taunting God’s servant equals taunting God’s plan (Exodus 16:8; Numbers 14:11). • Proverbs 3:34 warns that the Lord “mocks the mockers,” and here the scorn boomerangs on Succoth. • Their words exposed hearts lacking faith, like Israel’s grumbling at Rephidim (Exodus 17:2–3). saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, The elders’ question had implied, “Prove first, then we’ll help.” • Faithless pragmatism waits for visible success before investing in God’s mission (Hebrews 11:1). • Compare Thomas’s demand for proof (John 20:25). God graciously provides evidence, yet blesses those who believe before seeing (John 20:29). • Gideon’s swift capture of the kings underscores that God’s promise in Judges 7:9–15 was sufficient from the start. that we should give bread to your weary men?’ Their refusal to share bread contrasts with Abraham’s hospitality toward strangers (Genesis 18:5) and foreshadows Nabal’s selfishness toward David (1 Samuel 25:11). • Scripture consistently links meeting physical need with honoring God’s work (Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35; Galatians 6:10). • Gideon’s troops were “weary yet pursuing” (Judges 8:4), a picture of perseverance that deserves support (Romans 15:27). • Succoth missed the blessing of partnership; they will now taste discipline (Judges 8:16). summary Judges 8:15 records Gideon’s return to Succoth with the captured Midianite kings, exposing the town’s earlier unbelief and selfishness. The verse demonstrates the certainty of God’s deliverance, the accountability of His people, and the folly of withholding support from His work. Faith responds with generosity before victories are visible; disbelief ends in shame when God’s promises are openly fulfilled. (15) That are weary.--The addition of these words enhances the guilt of these elders, though the exhaustion of Gideon's force may have seemed to them a reason for alarm, lest their pursuit should end in rout.Verse 15. - The men of Succoth. Meaning the princes and elders.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And [Gideon] wentוַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the men אַנְשֵׁ֣י (’an·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Succoth סֻכּ֔וֹת (suk·kō·wṯ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5523: Succoth -- a city East of the Jordan, also a place in Egypt and said, וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Here הִנֵּ֖ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! are Zebah זֶ֣בַח (ze·ḇaḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2078: Zebah -- a Midianite king and Zalmunna, וְצַלְמֻנָּ֑ע (wə·ṣal·mun·nā‘) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6759: Zalmunna -- a king of Midian about whom אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you taunted חֵרַפְתֶּ֨ם (ḥê·rap̄·tem) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 2778: To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter me, אוֹתִ֜י (’ō·w·ṯî) Direct object marker | first person common singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case saying, לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘[Are] the hands הֲ֠כַף (hă·ḵap̄) Article | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan of Zebah זֶ֣בַח (ze·ḇaḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2078: Zebah -- a Midianite king and Zalmunna וְצַלְמֻנָּ֤ע (wə·ṣal·mun·nā‘) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6759: Zalmunna -- a king of Midian already עַתָּה֙ (‘at·tāh) Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time in your possession, בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ (bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand that כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction we should give נִתֵּ֛ן (nit·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set bread לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain to your weary הַיְּעֵפִ֖ים (hay·yə·‘ê·p̄îm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 3286: To be weary, faint men?’” לַאֲנָשֶׁ֥יךָ (la·’ă·nā·še·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Links Judges 8:15 NIVJudges 8:15 NLT Judges 8:15 ESV Judges 8:15 NASB Judges 8:15 KJV Judges 8:15 BibleApps.com Judges 8:15 Biblia Paralela Judges 8:15 Chinese Bible Judges 8:15 French Bible Judges 8:15 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 8:15 He came to the men of Succoth (Jd Judg. 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