Judges 8:2

Judges 8:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi–ezer?
• New International Version (NIV)But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?
• New King James Version (NKJV)So he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

Context of Judges 8:2

1Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently. But Gideon answered them, “Now what have I accomplished compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer? 3God has delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian, into your hand. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided. 4Then Gideon and his three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it, exhausted yet still in pursuit.

Judges 8:2 word by word

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם מֶה־עָשִׂ֥יתִי עַתָּ֖ה כָּכֶ֑ם הֲל֗וֹא ט֛וֹב עֹלְל֥וֹת אֶפְרַ֖יִם מִבְצִ֥יר אֲבִיעֶֽזֶר׃Read the interlinear

• But Gideon answeredאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• themאֶל'êl 'el · to(wards)H413
• Nowעַתָּ֫ה‛attâh · nowH6258
• whatמָהmâh mah mâ ma meh · what?H4100
• have I accomplishedעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• Are notלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• the gleaningsעֹלֵלוֹת‛ôlêlâh · gleaningH5955
• of Ephraimאֶפְרַ֫יִם'ephrayim · EphraimH669
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• than the grape harvestבָּצִירbâtsîyr · vintageH1210
• of Abiezerאֲבִיעֶ֫זֶר'ăbîy‛ezer · AbiezerH44

Cross-references for Judges 8:2

• 1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
• Galatians 5:14The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
• Philippians 2:2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
• James 1:19My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
• James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
• Judges 6:11Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.

Commentaries on Judges 8:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Is not the gleaning, etc. - That is, The Ephraimites have performed more important services than Gideon and his men; and he supports the assertion by observing that it was they who took the two Midianitish generals, having discomfited their hosts at the passes of Jordan.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2A civil war with the great tribe of Ephraim would soon have turned Israel‘s victory into mourning. Gideon therefore soothes their wounded pride by confessing that Ephraim had done more, though they had joined him so late in the day, than he had been able to effect in the whole campaign. The grape-gleaning of Ephraim was better than the whole vintage of Abi-ezer.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-3Ephraim, the leading tribe of the north-central hill country, produced only a minor judge named Tola (Judges 10:1). The Ephraimites felt left out of the battle because they wanted a share of the spoils. When called, they completed the task. Gideon responded with grace and humility, calming Ephraim’s anger (see Proverbs 15:1; compare with Jephthah, Judges 12:1–4). The victories of Gideon and Ephraim over Oreb and Zeeb and their armies became legendary…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-32-3. he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you?--His mild and truly modest answer breathes the spirit of a great as well as good man, who was calm, collected, and self-possessed in the midst of most exciting scenes. It succeeded in throwing oil on the troubled waters (Pr 16:1), and no wonder, for in the height of generous self-denial, it ascribes to his querulous brethren a greater share of merit and glory than belonged to himself (1Co…Read the comment

Topics related to Judges 8:2

• Abiezer
• Flattery
• Gideon
• Gleaning
• Israel
• Meekness
• Tact

In the dictionaries

• Ephraim
• Ephraim, Ephraimite
• Abieezer
• Gideon
• Penuel
• Request
• Resemble
• Zebah
• Abdon (1)
• Gleaning

Commentaries on Judges 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings