What Does Judges 8:5 Mean?

(5) **Unto the men of Succoth.**—The name Succoth means “booths,” and the place was so named, or re-named, because of the “booths” which had been erected there by Jacob on his return from Padanaram (Genesis 33:17; Joshua 13:27). It was situated in the tribe of Gad, and is probably the *Sukkot *mentioned by Burckhardt as on the east of Jordan, south wards from Bethshean. The “valley of Succoth” is mentioned in Psalm 60:6; Psalm 108:7. **Loaves of bread.**—The loaves are round cakes (*ciccar*)*. *His request was a very modest and considerate one. He did not “requisition” them for forces, or for intelligence, or for any active assistance, because he might bear in mind that they on the east of Jordan would, in case of any reverse or incomplete victory, be the first to feel the vengeance of the neighbouring-Midianites. But to supply bread to their own hungry countrymen, who were fighting their battles, was an act of common humanity which even the Midianites could not greatly resent. **Unto the people that follow me.**—Literally, *which is at my feet, *as in Judges 4:10. **Zebah and Zalmunna.**—These were Emîrs of higher rank than the Sheykhs Oreb and Zeeb, though Josephus calls them only “leaders,” while he calls Oreb and Zeeb “kings.” *Zebah *means “a sacrifice,” perhaps one who had been consecrated by his parents to the gods of Midian. *Zalmunna *seems to mean “shadow of an exile,” or, according to Gesenius, “shelter is denied him”—an unintelligible name, but perhaps due to some unknown incident. They are called “kings of Midian” (*malkai Midian*)*, *as in Numbers 31:8. Oreb and Zeeb are only called *Sarim, *the same title as that given to Sisera (Judges 4:2), and in the next verse to the elders of Succoth.