Bible Strands
Judges 8:16
Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Gideon confronts the elders of Succoth after capturing Zebah and Zalmunna, confronting them for their earlier taunt about refusing to feed his exhausted troops. He then disciplines the men of the city using desert vegetation.
The words — The text highlights וַ/יִּקַּח (va/i.yi.Kach, "he took") and קוֹצֵי הַ/מִּדְבָּר (ko.Tzei ha./mid.Bar, "thorns of the wilderness"), describing the literal instruments used to inflict punishment.
The thread — This action fulfills Gideon’s earlier threat in Judges 8:7 and aligns with the wisdom tradition that mockers receive prepared judgments (Proverbs 19:29) and that correction is reserved for those lacking judgment (Proverbs 10:13).
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition that defiant taunting against God’s agents carries measured consequences, and it requires readers to examine whether they mock divine correction or accept discipline before it escalates.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
Cross-references
- Judges 8:7 “Very well,” Gideon replied, “when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness!”
- Proverbs 10:13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
- Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
- Ezra 2:6 the descendants of Pahath-moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab), 2,812;
- Micah 7:4 The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.