King James Version
What Does Judges 12:14 Mean?
“And he had forty sons and thirty nephews , that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. nephews: Heb. sons' sons”
Context
12
And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.
13
And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.
14
And he had forty sons and thirty nephews , that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. nephews: Heb. sons' sons
15
And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(14) **Thirty nephews.**—The Hebrew has “sons of sons” (*benî bhanîm*)*, *and the word *nephews *in our version always means “grandsons” (*nepoles*)*, e.g., *in Job 18:19, Isaiah 14:22, 1Timothy 5:4, as in old English generally; similarly *nieces *means “granddaughters” in Wiclif’s Bible (Genesis 31:43, &c). “The Emperor Augustus . . . saw ere he died the *nephew *of his *niece, *that is to say, *his progenie to the fourth degree of lineal descent*” (Holland’s *Pliny, *vii. 13; *Bible Word Book*)*.*
**That rode on threescore and ten ass colts.**—Riding on asses’ foals in trappings of state implies that they were all wealthy and distinguished persons (Judges 10:4)—perhaps, like the Turkish pennon on the horsetail, that they commanded a division (Ewald, 2:38, 39). Again the LXX. euphemise the ass-colts into the grand and poetic word *pōlous. *Josephus says that Abdon used to ride in state with his seventy sons and grandsons, “who were all very skilful in riding horses.”
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Judges 12:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Judges 12:14
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge