Judges 8:3 Meaning and Explanation
“God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Gideon credits Ephraim with capturing Midian's princes, and their anger cools at his gracious words.
What Does Judges 8:3 Mean?
Gideon names the deed that mattered: Ephraim seized Oreb and Zeeb, the fleeing Midianite chiefs, as told in the previous chapter. He frames their success as God's doing and asks what his own efforts could be by comparison. The result is immediate: their fury subsides.
Words have power to kindle or to quench. Gideon chooses the words that heal, and a feud dissolves before it can spread. He also points past himself to God as the true Deliverer. The peacemaker here is the one who gives credit away freely and keeps the glory where it belongs, teaching that gentleness joined to honesty can disarm even justified anger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 8:3
What does Judges 8:3 mean?
Gideon credits Ephraim with capturing Midian's princes, and their anger cools at his gracious words.