King James Version

What Does Judges 8:10 Mean?

Judges 8:10 in the King James Version says “Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. men that: or, every one drawing a sword”

Judges 8:10 · KJV

Context

8

And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

9

And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.

10

Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. men that: or, every one drawing a sword

11

And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

12

And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host. discomfited: Heb. terrified

Read Judges 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

This verse provides crucial military context for Gideon's pursuit. The location Karkor (Qarqor, קַרְקֹר) is uncertain—possibly in the Syrian desert east of the Jordan, a remote refuge where the Midianite kings regrouped. That fifteen thousand men (chamisha-asar elef ish, חֲמִשָּׁה־עָשָׂר אֶלֶף אִישׁ) remained demonstrates the magnitude of God's prior victory. The original force comprised 135,000 warriors (15,000 remaining plus 120,000 casualties equals 135,000 total). Gideon's 300 had routed an army 450 times their size.

The phrase all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east (kol-hannotarim mikkol-machaneh benei-qedem, כָּל־הַנּוֹתָרִים מִכָּל־מַחֲנֵה בְנֵי־קֶדֶם) identifies the enemy coalition. The "children of the east" (benei-qedem, בְּנֵי־קֶדֶם) encompassed Midianites, Amalekites, and other nomadic peoples (Judges 6:3, 33) who periodically raided Israel's harvests. The number an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword (me'ah ve-esrim elef ish sholeif cherev, מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים אֶלֶף אִישׁ שֹׁלֵף חָרֶב) specifies trained warriors (sholeif cherev, "drawing sword"), not including camp followers.

These numbers vindicate God's strategy of reducing Israel's army to 300. Had 32,000 Israelites defeated 135,000 Midianites, they might claim partial credit. But 300 against 135,000 leaves no doubt—this victory was entirely divine. The staggering casualty ratio (400:1) demonstrates supernatural intervention. This foreshadows Christ's victory where one Man defeated all the powers of darkness: "having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The "children of the east" were Bedouin-style nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples inhabiting regions east and southeast of Canaan—the Syrian desert, Arabian desert, and Transjordan wilderness. These groups practiced camel-based pastoralism and raiding, giving them high mobility. The introduction of domesticated camels for military purposes (Judges 6:5 mentions "camels without number") revolutionized desert warfare, allowing rapid strikes deep into settled territory followed by quick withdrawal into desert refuges.

The number 120,000 casualties is extraordinary but not unprecedented in ancient warfare. The Assyrian king Shalmaneser III claimed to have killed 14,000 enemies at Qarqar (853 BCE); Ramesses II claimed tens of thousands killed at Kadesh. While ancient Near Eastern battle accounts often inflated numbers, the biblical account emphasizes divine intervention making the victory possible. Archaeological evidence confirms violent destructions at numerous sites during the Late Bronze-Iron Age transition, though connecting specific destructions to particular biblical battles remains challenging.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 300 versus 135,000 ratio encourage believers facing overwhelming spiritual opposition or life circumstances?
  2. What does God's insistence on reducing Israel's army teach about the danger of attributing divine victories to human strength or wisdom?
  3. How should Christians respond when God's methods seem to make success less likely from human perspective?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְזֶ֨בַח1 of 21

“Now Zebah”

H2078

zebach, a midianitish prince

וְצַלְמֻנָּ֜ע2 of 21

“and Zalmunna”

H6759

tsalmunna, a midianite

בַּקַּרְקֹ֗ר3 of 21

“were in Karkor”

H7174

karkor, a place east of the jordan

מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה4 of 21

“and their hosts”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

עִמָּם֙5 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כַּֽחֲמֵ֤שֶׁת6 of 21

“with them about fifteen”

H2568

five

עָשָׂר֙7 of 21
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

אֶ֛לֶף8 of 21

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

כֹּ֚ל9 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנּ֣וֹתָרִ֔ים10 of 21

“men all that were left”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

מִכֹּ֖ל11 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה12 of 21

“and their hosts”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

בְנֵי13 of 21

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קֶ֑דֶם14 of 21

“of the east”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

וְהַנֹּ֣פְלִ֔ים15 of 21

“for there fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מֵאָ֨ה16 of 21

“an hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים17 of 21

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אֶ֛לֶף18 of 21

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֖ישׁ19 of 21

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

שֹׁ֥לֵֽף20 of 21

“that drew”

H8025

to pull out, up or off

חָֽרֶב׃21 of 21

“sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

Study Guide

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 8:10 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 8:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 7:12Isaiah 9:4Judges 20:25Judges 20:15Judges 20:2Judges 20:35

Places in This Verse

EastRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E18 verses across 10 books
KarkorSettlement · Modern: Al Qarqar · 31.36°N, 37.54°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Judges 8 →

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 8 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes