Judges 8:8

Judges 8:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

From there he went up to Penuel and asked the same from them, but the men of Penuel gave the same response as the men of Succoth.

King James Version KJV

¶ And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

American Standard Version ASV

And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them in like manner; and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.

Bible in Basic English BBE

So he went up from there to Penuel and made the same request to the men of Penuel; but they gave him the same answer as the men of Succoth had given.

Free Bible Version FBV

He left and went to Penuel and asked them the same thing, but the people of Penuel answered the same way as the people of Succoth.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And he went vp thence to Penuel, and spake vnto them likewise, and the men of Penuel answered him, as the men of Succoth answered.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And he goeth up thence [to] Penuel, and speaketh unto them thus; and the men of Penuel answer him as the men of Succoth answered.

World English Bible WEB

He went up there to Penuel, and spoke to them in the same way; and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And he went up thence to Penuel, and spoke to them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him .

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And going up from thence, he came to Phanuel: and he spoke the like things to the men of that place. And they also answered him, as the men of Soccoth had answered.

Translation for Translators T4T

From there, Gideon and his 300 men went to Peniel and asked for food there, but the people gave him the same answer.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 8:8

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 8:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יַּ֤עַל מִ/שָּׁם֙ פְּנוּאֵ֔ל וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם כָּ/זֹ֑את וַ/יַּעֲנ֤וּ אוֹת/וֹ֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י פְנוּאֵ֔ל כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָנ֖וּ אַנְשֵׁ֥י סֻכּֽוֹת

וַ/יַּ֤עַל ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

מִ/שָּׁם֙ shâm H8033 there Prep | Adv

פְּנוּאֵ֔ל Pᵉnûwʼêl H6439 Penuel N-proper

וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר dâbar H1696 to speak Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

כָּ/זֹ֑את zôʼth H2063 this Prep | Pron

וַ/יַּעֲנ֤וּ ʻânâh H6030 to dwell Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

אוֹת/וֹ֙ ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff

אַנְשֵׁ֣י ʼîysh H376 man N-mp

פְנוּאֵ֔ל Pᵉnûwʼêl H6439 Penuel N-proper

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel

עָנ֖וּ ʻânâh H6030 to dwell V-Qal-Perf-3cp

אַנְשֵׁ֥י ʼîysh H376 man N-mp

סֻכּֽוֹת Çukkôwth H5523 Succoth N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 8:8

וַ/יַּ֤עַל ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

מִ/שָּׁם֙ shâm H8033 "there" Prep | Adv

The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.

Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.

פְּנוּאֵ֔ל Pᵉnûwʼêl H6439 "Penuel" N-proper

Penuel is a place in the Bible where Jacob met God, and it means facing God. It's also the name of a few Israelites, like a man from the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned in 1 Chronicles.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.8.25; son of: Shashak (H8349); brother of: Ishpan (H3473), Eber (H5677J), Eliel (H0447I), Abdon (H5658I), Zichri (H2147I), Hanan (H2605), Hananiah (H2608O), Elam (H5867), Anthothijah (H6070) and Iphdeiah (H3301) § Penuel or Peniel = "facing God" 1) a Benjamite, son of Shashak, brother of Iphedeiah of the family of Saul 2) son of Hur, father of Gedor, and a descendant of Judah 3) the place named by Jacob when he wrestled with God and located on the north bank of the Jabbok close to the Jordan

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Peniel, Penuel. See also: Genesis 32:31; Judges 8:17; 1 Chronicles 8:25.

וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.

Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.

אֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

כָּ/זֹ֑את zôʼth H2063 "this" Prep | Pron

This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.

וַ/יַּעֲנ֤וּ ʻânâh H6030 "to dwell" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.

Definition: (Qal) to dwell

Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.

אוֹת/וֹ֙ ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

אַנְשֵׁ֣י ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

פְנוּאֵ֔ל Pᵉnûwʼêl H6439 "Penuel" N-proper

Penuel is a place in the Bible where Jacob met God, and it means facing God. It's also the name of a few Israelites, like a man from the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned in 1 Chronicles.

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Peniel, Penuel. See also: Genesis 32:31; Judges 8:17; 1 Chronicles 8:25.

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

עָנ֖וּ ʻânâh H6030 "to dwell" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

Definition: (Qal) to dwell

אַנְשֵׁ֥י ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp

סֻכּֽוֹת Çukkôwth H5523 "Succoth" N-proper

Succoth means booths, the first stop for Israelites leaving Egypt. It appears in the Bible as a place in Egypt and Palestine.

Definition: § Succoth = "booths" the first stopping place of the Israelites when they left Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Succoth. See also: Genesis 33:17; Judges 8:8; Psalms 60:8.

Study Notes — Judges 8:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Judges 8:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 8:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 8:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 8:8
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 8:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 8:8
Cambridge Bible on Judges 8:8
Barnes' Notes on Judges 8:8
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 8:8
Sermons on Judges 8:8

Context — Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna

6But the leaders of Succoth asked, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your army?” 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!”

8From there he went up to Penuel and asked the same from them, but the men of Penuel gave the same response as the men of Succoth.

9So Gideon told the men of Penuel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower!” 10Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 32:30–31	So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” The sun rose above him as he passed by Penuel, and he was limping because of his hip.
2	1 Kings 12:25	Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And from there he went out and built Penuel.

Judges 8:8 Summary

This verse tells us that Gideon went to the town of Penuel and asked the people there for help, just like he had asked the people of Succoth, but they gave him the same negative response. This shows that the people of Penuel were not willing to trust God's plan or support Gideon's mission, unlike the Israelites who trusted God in Exodus 14:13-14. We can learn from this that it's essential to trust in God's plan and be willing to help those who are doing His work, just as the Bible teaches us in Galatians 6:2. By doing so, we can show our faith and support for God's plan, and trust that He will provide and guide us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the men of Penuel respond the same way as the men of Succoth?

The men of Penuel likely responded the same way as the men of Succoth because they were also fearful of Gideon's intentions and did not want to get involved in his conflict, much like the leaders of Succoth in Judges 8:6. This response shows a lack of faith in God's plan, similar to the Israelites' lack of faith in Numbers 13:31-33.

What was Gideon's goal in asking the men of Penuel for help?

Gideon's goal in asking the men of Penuel for help was to gain their support and provisions for his army, as he had done with the men of Succoth, but ultimately he was relying on God's plan and promise, as seen in Judges 7:2-7.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in Judges 8?

This verse shows Gideon's continued pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna, and the men of Penuel's refusal to help him, which sets the stage for Gideon's eventual victory and the fulfillment of God's promise in Judges 8:10-21, much like God's promise to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 31:6.

What can we learn from the men of Penuel's response to Gideon?

The men of Penuel's response teaches us that we should be careful not to reject or refuse to help those who are doing God's work, lest we face consequences, as seen in the story of the men of Succoth and Penuel, and reminded in Proverbs 24:23-25, which warns against showing partiality and withholding help from those in need.

Reflection Questions

What are some times when I have been like the men of Penuel, refusing to help someone in need, and what can I learn from those experiences?
How can I apply the lesson of Gideon's perseverance and trust in God's plan to my own life, especially in times of uncertainty or challenge?
What are some ways that I can show support and provision to those who are doing God's work, just as Gideon was seeking from the men of Penuel?
How does this verse remind me of the importance of faith and trust in God's plan, even when faced with uncertainty or opposition, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 8:8

And he went up thence to Penuel,.... A place not far from Succoth, and to which also Jacob gave name, from the Lord's appearing to him there face to face, Genesis 32:30 but here was nothing of God in

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 8:8

And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 8:8

Penuel; another city beyond Jordan; of which see .

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 8:8

Judges 8:8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered [him].Ver. 8. And the men of Penuel answered him.] Not the rulers only, as at Succoth: but the common people also.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 8:8

(8) He went up thence to Penuel.—Penuel was also in the tribe of Gad, on the heights above the Jordan valley, on the southern bank of the Jabbok. The name means “face of God,” from Jacob’s vision (Genesis 32:30). It is again mentioned as a fortified town in 1 Kings 12:25, but the site has not been identified.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 8:8

8. Penuel] See on Judges 8:5. A place of some importance, for it was fortified by Jeroboam, 1 Kings 12:25; its tower may have commanded the Jabbok ford. An explanation of the name is given in Genesis 32:30. A different explanation is suggested by the name of the promontory S. of Tripolis, on the Syrian coast, which Strabo (p. 642 ed. Mόller) calls Θεοῦπρόσωπον ‘face of God’; some cliff or boulder near the spot looked like a huge face. When I come again in peace] A similar threat of retaliation for an insult is still used by the Arabs in the same district: ‘By God, when I come again in peace, nowhere but in the breast!’ Schumacher, Mittheil. u. Nachr. D.P.V. 1904, 76.

Barnes' Notes on Judges 8:8

Succoth was in the valley or Ghor of the Jordan Judges 8:5, and Penuel apparently in the mountain. No identification of Penuel has taken place. It was south of the Brook Jabbok, and on Jacob’s way to Succoth.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 8:8

8. Penuel — The place at the fords of the Jabbok (Zurka) where Jacob wrestled with the angel. Genesis 32:30. Its site has not been identified.

Sermons on Judges 8:8

	Sermon	Description
	Genesis 32 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of stirring oneself up in the faith. He references the story of Charles Wesley's hymn, "Come Thou Traveler Unknown," to illus
	Christ, the Secret of God, the Image of God, and the Redeemer and Reconciler by Lance Lambert	In this sermon, the speaker discusses a vision from the book of Revelation where a scroll with seven seals represents the will and inheritance of God. The speaker recalls a persona
	How to Prevail by Chuck Smith	This sermon delves into the story of Jacob from the book of Genesis, highlighting his deceitful nature, his wrestling with God, and the ultimate victory found in surrendering to Go
	(Colossians) the Pre-Eminence of Christ by Brian Brodersen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering that God created the earth and each individual. He suggests that observing a full moon on a clear night can ser
	The Face of God by Watchman Nee	Watchman Nee explores the life of Jacob, emphasizing that God did not rebuke him but instead provided promises and discipline throughout his journey. Jacob's natural strength and s
	Peniel by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches on the story of Jacob at Peniel, emphasizing the importance of faith and prayer in experiencing God's presence and receiving His blessings. Jacob's unwavering fa
	Hosea 12:2 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith explores the life of Jacob, an unlikely candidate for the title 'Power with God.' Despite his deceptive actions and attempts to gain advantage over others, Jacob ultima