Judges 8:20 nasb — So he said to Jether his firstborn, "Rise, kill them." But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because…

NASB

"So he said to Jether his firstborn, "Rise, kill them." But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth."

— Judges 8:20, NASB

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Judges 8:20 in Other Translations

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Judges 8 — Context

17

He tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

18

Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?" And they said, "They were like you, each one resembling the son of a king."

19

He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you."

20

So he said to Jether his firstborn, "Rise, kill them." But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.

21

Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, "Rise up yourself, and fall on us; for as the man, so is his strength." So Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescent ornaments which were on their camels' necks.

22

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, both you and your son, also your son's son, for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian."

23

But Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you."

Judges 8:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Judges 8:20 say?
Judges 8:20 in the NASB reads: “So he said to Jether his firstborn, "Rise, kill them." But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.”
Where is Judges 8:20 in the Bible?
Judges 8:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Judges, chapter 8, verse 20.
Who wrote Judges?
Judges is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel). It was written c. 1050–1000 BC.
What is the book of Judges about?
Judges chronicles the cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that defined Israel between Joshua and Samuel. Through twelve raised-up deliverers — including Deborah, Gideon, and Samson — God repeatedly rescues a people who keep doing what is right in their own eyes.
What are the major themes of Judges?
Judges explores themes including Apostasy, Deliverance, Cycles of Sin, Need for a King, Mercy. These themes shape the meaning and context of Judges 8:20.
What translation should I read Judges 8:20 in?
Judges 8:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Judges 8:20?
Judges 8:20 reads (NASB): “So he said to Jether his firstborn, "Rise, kill them." But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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