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Judges 8:24
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Gideon’s Ephod

22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, a“Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have bdelivered us from the hand of Midian.”  
23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; athe Lord shall rule over you.”  
24 Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to1 make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, abecause they were Ishmaelites.  
25 So they answered, “We will gladly give them.” And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder.
26 Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks.
27 Then Gideon amade it into an ephod and set it up in his city, bOphrah. And all Israel cplayed the harlot with it there. It became da snare to Gideon and to his house.  
28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. aAnd the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.  

Death of Gideon

29 Then aJerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.  
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Judges 8:23   Judges 8:25 >>


Judges 8:24

In this desire for gold Gideon falls to the level of ordinary men, and we may see in it the first decline of his glory, leading to a sad tarnishing of the luster of his bright name. The idolatrous honor paid to Gideon' s ephod was probably a source of revenue to his house. Contrast the conduct of Abraham Genesis 14:21-23, and of Elisha II Kings 5:16, II Kings 5:26.

The "ear-ring" here mentioned is properly a "nose-ring" (compare Genesis 24:22 note). The custom of wearing nose-rings prevails in Eastern countries to the present day. The circumstance of Job' s friends each contributing a nose-ring of gold (Job 42:11 note) is a remarkable parallel to the incident in Gideon' s history. Rings of gold were also used as money in Egypt, as appears on several early monuments, and by the Celts.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Judges 8:24:

Numbers 31:32
Judges 6:1
Judges 6:1
1 Samuel 30:20
Job 42:11

 

<< Judges 8:23   Judges 8:25 >>

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