Judges 8:9

Judges 8:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
• New International Version (NIV)So he said to the men of Peniel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he said to the men of Penuel, "When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower."
• New King James Version (NKJV)So he also spoke to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come back in peace, I will tear down this tower!”

Context of Judges 8:9

7Gideon replied, ‘Because you say that, I will return here. When the Lord has put Zebah and Zalmunna under my power, I will come back to punish you. I will beat you with thorn branches that will tear your skin to pieces!’ 8Gideon continued his journey to Peniel. He asked their people for food too. But they gave him the same answer as the men of Succoth. Gideon also warned the men of Peniel, ‘When I have won the fight against my enemies, I will return. Then I will destroy your strong tower.’ 10Zebah and Zalmunna had 15,000 men with them in Karkor. They were the only men left of their great army from the east. 120,000 of their soldiers had died in the battle. 11Gideon went along a road near the desert. It was east of Nobah and Jogbehah. He attacked the enemy's army by surprise.

Judges 8:9 word by word

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר גַּם־לְאַנְשֵׁ֥י פְנוּאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בְּשׁוּבִ֣י בְשָׁל֔וֹם אֶתֹּ֖ץ אֶת־הַמִּגְדָּ֥ל הַזֶּֽה׃ פRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And he spakeאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• also unto the menאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
• of Penuelפְּנוּאֵלpenû'êl penîy'êl · PenielH6439
• When I come againשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• in peaceשָׁלוֹםshâlôm shâlôm · peaceH7965
• I will break downנָתַץnâthats · to tearH5422
• this towerמִגְדָּלmigdâl migdâlâh · towerH4026

Cross-references for Judges 8:9

• 1 Kings 22:27Say to them, “The king commands you to put this man in prison. Feed him with only a little bread and water until I return safely from the battle.” ’
• Judges 8:17He also went to Peniel and he destroyed their tower. He killed the men of that city.

Commentaries on Judges 8:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9I will break down this tower - Probably they had not only denied him, but insultingly pointed to a tower in which their chief defense lay; and intimated to him that he might do his worst, for they could amply defend themselves.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-12Verses 4-12 Gideon's men were faint, yet pursuing; fatigued with what they had done, yet eager to do more against their enemies. It is many a time the true Christian's case, fainting, and yet pursuing. The world knows but little of the persevering and successful struggle the real believer maintains with his sinful heart. But he betakes himself to that Divine strength, in the faith of which he began his conflict, and by the supply of which alone he can…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9this tower: Towers were common during this time. Archaeologists have found them at both Succoth and Shechem (see Judges 9:46–49).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. he spake ..., When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower--Intent on the pursuit, and afraid of losing time, he postponed the merited vengeance till his return. His confident anticipation of a triumphant return evinces the strength of his faith; and his specific threat was probably provoked by some proud and presumptuous boast, that in their lofty watchtower the Penuelites would set him at defiance.Read the comment

Topics related to Judges 8:9

• Gideon
• Israel
• Patriotism
• Penuel
• Tower
• Zalmunna
• Zebah

In the dictionaries

• Gideon
• Penuel
• Request
• Resemble
• Towers
• Zalmunna
• Zebah
• Abdon (1)
• Government
• Israel, History of

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