Judges 8:30
Judges 8:30 in Multiple Translations
Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives.
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten; for he had many wives.
Gideon had seventy sons, the offspring of his body; for he had a number of wives.
Gideon had seventy sons, all his own, because he had many wives.
And Gideon had seuentie sonnes begotten of his body: for he had many wiues.
and to Gideon there have been seventy sons, coming out of his loin, for he had many wives;
Gideon had seventy sons conceived from his body, for he had many wives.
And Gideon had seventy sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
And he had seventy sons, who came out of his thigh, for he had many wives.
He had many wives, and they bore him seventy sons.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 8:30
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 8:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/לְ/גִדְע֗וֹן
הָיוּ֙
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
בָּנִ֔ים
יֹצְאֵ֖י
יְרֵכ֑/וֹ
כִּֽי
נָשִׁ֥ים
רַבּ֖וֹת
הָ֥יוּ
לֽ/וֹ
וּ/לְ/גִדְע֗וֹן
Gidʻôwn
H1439
Gideon
Conj | Prep | N-proper
הָיוּ֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Adj
בָּנִ֔ים
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יֹצְאֵ֖י
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal
יְרֵכ֑/וֹ
yârêk
H3409
thigh
N-fs | Suff
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
נָשִׁ֥ים
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fp
רַבּ֖וֹת
rab
H7227
many
Adj
הָ֥יוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 8:30
וּ/לְ/גִדְע֗וֹן
Gidʻôwn
H1439
"Gideon"
Conj | Prep | N-proper
Gideon was a judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites. His name means 'hewer' and he is also called Jerubbaal.
Definition: A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.6.11; son of: Joash (H3101); father of: Jether (H3500), Abimelech (H0040H) and Jotham (H3147); also called Jerubbaal at Jdg.6.32; 7.1; 8.29,35; 9.1,2,5,16,19,24,28,57; 1xJerubbesheth at 2Sa.11.21; § Gideon = "hewer" youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Gideon. See also: Judges 6:11; Judges 7:18; Judges 8:35.
הָיוּ֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
בָּנִ֔ים
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יֹצְאֵ֖י
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
יְרֵכ֑/וֹ
yârêk
H3409
"thigh"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to the thigh or the side of something, and can also symbolize strength or power. It is used to describe where a sword is worn, and also represents the loins as the seat of procreative power.
Definition: 1) thigh, side, loin, base 1a) thigh 1a1) outside of thigh (where sword was worn) 1a2) loins (as the seat of procreative power) 1b) side (flank) (of object) 1c) base
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] body, loins, shaft, side, thigh. See also: Genesis 24:2; Numbers 3:35; Psalms 45:4.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
נָשִׁ֥ים
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
רַבּ֖וֹת
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
הָ֥יוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Judges 8:30
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 8:30 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 8:30
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 8:30
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 8:30
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 8:30
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 8:30
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 8:30
- Sermons on Judges 8:30
Context — Forty Years of Peace
28In this way Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. So the land had rest for forty years in the days of Gideon,
29and he—Jerubbaal son of Joash—returned home and settled down.
30Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives.
31His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. 32Later, Gideon son of Joash died at a ripe old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 9:5 | He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. |
| 2 | Judges 9:2 | “Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.” |
| 3 | 1 Kings 11:3 | He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 17:17 | He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold. |
| 5 | Judges 12:9 | He had thirty sons, as well as thirty daughters whom he gave in marriage to men outside his clan; and for his sons he brought back thirty wives from elsewhere. Ibzan judged Israel seven years. |
| 6 | Malachi 2:15 | Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. |
| 7 | Judges 12:14 | He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. And he judged Israel eight years. |
| 8 | Genesis 2:24 | For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. |
| 9 | Judges 10:4 | He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair. |
| 10 | Ephesians 5:31–33 | “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. |
Judges 8:30 Summary
[Gideon had seventy sons, which means he had a very big family with many wives, as was common in ancient Israel. This was not necessarily what God intended for marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:24, where it says that a man should leave his father and mother and be united to his wife. Despite his imperfections, Gideon was still used by God to bring victory and rest to Israel, as seen in Judges 8:28. We can learn from Gideon's story that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or family situation, to accomplish great things.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gideon have so many wives?
Gideon had many wives, which was a common practice among leaders in ancient Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 21:15 and Judges 8:30. This practice often led to complex family relationships and conflicts, as seen in the story of Gideon's son Abimelech in Judges 9.
Is having many wives biblical?
While the Bible records instances of polygamy, such as in the cases of Abraham, Jacob, and David, it does not necessarily condone the practice. In fact, Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31 suggest that monogamy is the ideal marital arrangement.
What can we learn from Gideon's family life?
Gideon's family life, including his many wives and sons, serves as a reminder that even leaders in the Bible were not perfect and often struggled with sin and its consequences, as seen in Judges 8:30 and 9:1-57.
How does Gideon's family impact the rest of the story?
Gideon's family, particularly his son Abimelech, plays a significant role in the subsequent events in Judges, as Abimelech's actions lead to further conflict and instability in Israel, as seen in Judges 9:1-57.
Reflection Questions
- What does Gideon's decision to have many wives reveal about his character, and what can we learn from his example?
- How might Gideon's family life have affected his relationship with God, and what can we learn from his experiences?
- In what ways can we apply the principles of biblical leadership and family values, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33 and 6:1-4, to our own lives and relationships?
- What does the fact that Gideon had seventy sons suggest about his influence and legacy, and how can we strive to leave a similar legacy of faithfulness and integrity?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 8:30
And Gideon had seventy sons of his body begotten,.... Not after his victories, for it is plain he had children before; mention is made of Jether, his firstborn, as a youth able to draw a sword, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 8:30
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 8:30
Judges 8:30 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.Ver. 30. Of his body begotten.] Heb., Going out of his thigh, in which there are veins, say anatomists, that go along to the genitals, and convey thither the matter for the seed of generation. Hence that expression of Abraham to his servant, "Put thine hand under my thigh," out of which is to come the Messiah, "and swear," &c. So Genesis 47:29; Genesis 46:26.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 8:30
(30) Threescore and ten sons.—According to Oriental fashion, no account is taken of his daughters. He had many wives.—It is clear that Gideon was a king in all but name. This is the most magnificent, but the least honourable, period of his career. In Deuteronomy 17:17 it had been said of the future king, “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself. . . . neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.” Polygamy was only adopted on a large scale by rulers (Judges 10:4; Judges 12:9).
Cambridge Bible on Judges 8:30
30. of his body begotten] Only again in Genesis 46:26 (‘which came out of his loins’) and Exodus 1:5 P, cf. Genesis 35:11 P. The more sons a man had, the greater his importance, cf. Judges 10:4, Judges 12:9.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 8:30
30. Many wives — So to the crime of sacrilege he added that of polygamy.
Sermons on Judges 8:30
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Proverbs) ch.6:12 - 8:21 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of young people not realizing their need for God. He emphasizes the importance of humility and acknowledging one's need for God's gu |
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Beware of a Satanic Set-Up by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the urgency of the times, stating that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. He urges the listeners to cast off the work |
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And David Took Him More Wives Out of Jerusalem. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the troubling decision of King David to take more wives in Jerusalem, contrasting this with the biblical law that cautions against such actions to prevent th |
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(Godly Home) Part 1 - the Holy Art of Training Children by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a green thumb and the art of polishing stones. He compares these skills to the art of preaching and teaching the wor |
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The Healing of the Home by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of using a soft answer to turn away wrath and bring healing to the home. He criticizes those who rely on loudness as a badge |
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(Godly Home) Part 24 - Godly Men Have Radiant Wives by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the power of love and its importance in marriage. He emphasizes that love is an unexplainable force that cannot be quenched or drowned. The p |
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(Pdf Book) Divine Principles for a Happy Married Life by Bakht Singh | Bro. Bakht Singh emphasizes that marriage is a sacred relationship ordained by God, designed to bring joy and happiness when aligned with His divine principles. He outlines eight f |