Judges 8:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Gideon asks the kings about men they killed at Tabor; they say each looked like a king's son.
What Does Judges 8:18 Mean?
Gideon turns to the captive kings and asks about men they had slain at Tabor. Their answer is striking: those men were like Gideon himself, each one bearing the look of a king's son, a noble and royal bearing.
Unknown to the kings, their words touch a personal wound that the next verse will reveal. The exchange also quietly honors the dignity of the slain, men of princely appearance cut down by Midian's cruelty. It prepares the reader for a moment where public justice and private grief meet, and where the kings unknowingly pronounce upon themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 8:18
What does Judges 8:18 mean?
Gideon asks the kings about men they killed at Tabor; they say each looked like a king's son.