King James Version

What Does Judges 8:35 Mean?

Judges 8:35 in the King James Version says “Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewe... — study this verse from Judges chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.

Judges 8:35 · KJV


Context

33

And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

34

And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

35

Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideonchesed (חֶסֶד), the great covenant word meaning 'loyal love, steadfast kindness,' appears here in its absence. According to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel—despite Gideon's deliverance of the nation from Midianite oppression, Israel failed to show gratitude or protect his descendants. This ingratitude foreshadows Abimelech's murder of Gideon's seventy sons (9:5).

The double failure—forgetting God (v. 34) and betraying Gideon's house (v. 35)—demonstrates that those who fail in vertical relationship with God inevitably fail in horizontal relationships with others. Love for God and love for neighbor cannot be separated (Matthew 22:37-40). Israel's treatment of Gideon's family mirrors their treatment of God: both received their benefits gladly but betrayed them afterward. This chapter concludes on a note of tragic irony: the man who wouldn't be king dies peacefully, but his family receives no honor, and the nation for which he fought immediately abandons God. Victory without transformation leads to greater tragedy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gratitude toward deliverers and protection of their families was expected in ancient Near Eastern culture. The brutal treatment of Gideon's sons by Abimelech, aided by Shechemites (chapter 9), represents a shocking violation of honor codes. This ingratitude parallels Israel's later rejection of Samuel's leadership and his sons (1 Samuel 8), and ultimately their crucifixion of Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your relationship with God affect your treatment of others who have served you?
  2. In what ways do you receive benefits from God and others but fail to show loyal love in return?
  3. What does biblical <em>chesed</em> (covenant loyalty) require in your relationships with spiritual leaders and their families?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָשָׂ֖ה2 of 13

Neither shewed

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֶ֔סֶד3 of 13

they kindness

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

עִם4 of 13
H5973

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

בֵּ֥ית5 of 13

to the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְרֻבַּ֖עַל6 of 13

of Jerubbaal

H3378

jerubbaal, a symbolic name of gideon

גִּדְע֑וֹן7 of 13

namely Gideon

H1439

gidon, an israelite

כְּכָל8 of 13
H3605

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

הַטּוֹבָ֔ה9 of 13

according to all the goodness

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֖ה11 of 13

Neither shewed

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עִם12 of 13
H5973

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃13 of 13

unto Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 8:35 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 8:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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