Bible Strands
Judges 8:5
So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Gideon addresses the leaders of Succoth immediately after his exhausted three hundred men cross the Jordan, while he continues his active pursuit of the Midianite kings.
The words — The Hebrew תְּנוּ־ נָא (te.nu- na') issues the literal command "give please," and כִכְּרֹת לֶחֶם (ki.ke.rot le.chem) specifies the exact provision requested as "round loaves of bread."
The thread — The demand for sustenance parallels Genesis 14:18 where bread is presented, while the town of Succoth functions in Genesis 33:17 as a place of temporary settlement and in Psalm 60:6 as territory designated for future division.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to evaluate the practical tension between military urgency and civic obligation when a commander requests supplies before victory is secured.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 33:17 but Jacob went on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth.
- Psalms 60:6 God has spoken from His sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will parcel out Shechem and apportion the Valley of Succoth.
- Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
- Deuteronomy 23:4 For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.
- 1 Samuel 25:18 Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys
- 2 Samuel 17:28 They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,
- 3 John 1:6 They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.