Judges 8:21 net — Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon,“Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength.” So Gideon killed Zebah…

NET Bible

"Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon,“Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength.” So Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent-shaped ornaments which were on the necks of their camels."

— Judges 8:21, NET Bible

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Judges 8:21 in Other Translations

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Judges 8 — Context

18

He said to Zebah and Zalmunna,“Describe for me the men you killed at Tabor.” They said,“They were like you. Each one looked like a king’s son.”

19

He said,“They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. I swear, as surely as the LORD is alive, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”

20

He ordered Jether his firstborn son,“Come on! Kill them!” But Jether was too afraid to draw his sword, because he was still young.

21

Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon,“Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength.” So Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent-shaped ornaments which were on the necks of their camels.

22

Gideon Rejects a Crown but Makes an Ephod The men of Israel said to Gideon,“Rule over us– you, your son, and your grandson. For you have delivered us from Midian’s power.”

23

Gideon said to them,“I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.”

24

Gideon continued,“I would like to make one request. Each of you give me an earring from the plunder you have taken.”(The Midianites had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)

Judges 8:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Judges 8:21 say?
Judges 8:21 in the NET Bible reads: “Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon,“Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength.” So Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent-shaped ornaments which were on the necks of their camels.”
Where is Judges 8:21 in the Bible?
Judges 8:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Judges, chapter 8, verse 21.
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 8:21.
What translation should I read Judges 8:21 in?
Judges 8:21 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 8:21?
Judges 8:21 reads (NET): “Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon,“Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength.” So Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent-shaped ornaments which were on the necks of their camels.” 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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