Judges 8:23 kjv — And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.

King James Version

"And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you."

— Judges 8:23, King James Version

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Judges 8:23 in Other Translations

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Judges 8 — Context

20

And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

21

Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.

22

Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.

23

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.

24

And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

25

And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

26

And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

Judges 8:23 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Judges 8:23 say?
Judges 8:23 in the King James Version reads: “And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.”
Where is Judges 8:23 in the Bible?
Judges 8:23 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Judges, chapter 8, verse 23.
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 8:23.
What translation should I read Judges 8:23 in?
Judges 8:23 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 8:23?
Judges 8:23 reads (KJV): “And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.” 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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