Bible Strands
Judges 8:24
Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Gideon addresses the victorious Israelite soldiers immediately after refusing their offer to establish his dynasty. He makes a final request for a portion of their spoils before they disperse.
The words — The phrase אֶשְׁאֲלָה שׁאֵלָה ('esh'a.lah she'e.lah) literally means "let me ask a petition," while נֶזֶם (Ne.zem) denotes the specific earring demanded from each man's plunder.
The thread — The text explicitly notes the enemies wore gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites, linking the spoils to the lineage described in Genesis 25:13 and the merchant groups in Genesis 37:25 and Genesis 37:28.
Why it lands — The verse records a concrete demand for wealth that follows a declaration of divine sovereignty, requiring the reader to observe how material requests intersect with spiritual claims.
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 Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
Cross-references
- Genesis 25:13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
- Genesis 37:25 And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt.
- Genesis 37:28 So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
- Exodus 32:3 Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron.
- 1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes,
- Genesis 16:10 Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.”
- Genesis 24:22 And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels.
- Genesis 24:53 Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.
- Exodus 12:35 Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing.
- 1 Samuel 25:11 Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”