Judges 8:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The leaders of Succoth refuse, mocking Gideon because he has not yet captured the Midianite kings.
What Does Judges 8:6 Mean?
The princes of Succoth answer with a sneer. They will not give bread until the victory is already secure, taunting Gideon that the kings are not yet in his grasp. Their refusal is not caution but contempt, hedging their bets against their own kinsman.
This is faithlessness dressed as prudence. They saw the small, tired band and judged by appearances, unwilling to risk Midianite reprisal by helping. To withhold bread from one's own people in their need is to side, in effect, with the oppressor. The verse warns against the cold calculation that waits to see who wins before it will do right.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 8:6
What does Judges 8:6 mean?
The leaders of Succoth refuse, mocking Gideon because he has not yet captured the Midianite kings.