King James Version

What Does Judges 8:5 Mean?

Judges 8:5 in the King James Version says “And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.”

Judges 8:5 · KJV

Prayer

Context

3

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. anger: Heb. spirit

4

And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.

5

And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

6

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?

7

And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers. tear: Heb. thresh

Read Judges 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

Gideon's request to Succoth was reasonable and urgent. The phrase Give, I pray you, loaves of bread (tenu-na kikkrot-lechem, תְּנוּ־נָא כִּכְּרֹת־לֶחֶם) uses the particle na (נָא, "please, I pray") indicating courteous request, not demand. The term kikkrot (כִּכְּרֹת, "loaves, round cakes") refers to basic bread rations for soldiers. Gideon explicitly stated his men be faint (ayefim, עֲיֵפִים)—physically exhausted and requiring sustenance to continue. The pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian justified the urgency; capturing these kings would decisively end the Midianite threat.

Succoth's location east of the Jordan placed it in Israelite territory (given to Gad, Joshua 13:27), making its inhabitants covenant brothers obligated to support Gideon's divinely appointed mission. Deuteronomy 23:3-4 condemned Moab and Ammon for refusing Israel bread and water during the Exodus. Similarly, Succoth's refusal (verse 6) violated covenant solidarity. The city's name (meaning "booths" or "tabernacles") ironically evoked Israel's wilderness wandering when God provided manna—a provision Succoth now refused to emulate.

Theologically, Succoth's refusal illustrates the tragedy of God's people refusing to support His work. Jesus warned: "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me... And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matthew 10:40, 42). Conversely, refusing support for God's servants brings judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Succoth (modern Tell Deir Alla) was located in the Jordan Valley north of the Jabbok River, approximately 20-25 miles east of the Jordan. The city controlled agricultural lowlands and trade routes, making it relatively prosperous. Its Gadite inhabitants should have recognized Gideon's authority and supported Israel's campaign against the oppressors who had ravaged their lands for seven years (Judges 6:1).

The request for bread was standard in ancient Near Eastern hospitality and military cooperation. Allies provided food, water, and supplies for armies passing through their territory. David later received such support from Barzillai during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:27-29). Refusing such requests indicated either hostility or fear—Succoth evidently doubted Gideon's ability to defeat the Midianite kings and feared reprisal if they supported him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Succoth's refusal to support God's work despite being covenant people mirror modern believers who withhold resources from kingdom advance?
  2. What fears or doubts cause Christians to refuse supporting God's servants or ministries?
  3. How should the church balance wisdom in stewardship with generosity toward those serving in God's mission?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְאַנְשֵׁ֣י2 of 20

“unto the men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

סֻכּ֔וֹת3 of 20

“of Succoth”

H5523

succoth, the name of a place in egypt and of three in palestine

תְּנוּ4 of 20

“Give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

נָא֙5 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

כִּכְּר֣וֹת6 of 20

“I pray you loaves”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

לֶ֔חֶם7 of 20

“of bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

לָעָ֖ם8 of 20

“unto the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 20
H834

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

בְּרַגְלָ֑י10 of 20

“that follow”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

כִּֽי11 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עֲיֵפִ֣ים12 of 20

“me for they be faint”

H5889

languid

הֵ֔ם13 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְאָֽנֹכִ֗י14 of 20
H595

i

רֹדֵ֛ף15 of 20

“and I am pursuing”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אַֽחֲרֵ֛י16 of 20

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

זֶ֥בַח17 of 20

“Zebah”

H2078

zebach, a midianitish prince

וְצַלְמֻנָּ֖ע18 of 20

“and Zalmunna”

H6759

tsalmunna, a midianite

מַלְכֵ֥י19 of 20

“kings”

H4428

a king

מִדְיָֽן׃20 of 20

“of Midian”

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

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 8:5 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 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 33:17Psalms 60:62 Samuel 17:28-291 Samuel 25:18Genesis 14:183 John 1:6-8

Places in This Verse

MidianRegion · Modern: Al Bad · 28.49°N, 35.01°E51 verses across 11 books
Succoth 1Settlement · Modern: Tell Deir Alla · 32.20°N, 35.62°E10 verses across 5 books
View all places in Judges 8 →

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