Old Testament

Judges 8:2

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Gideon is responding to the men of Ephraim who are upset that they were not called to fight earlier in the battle against the Midianites.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

Gideon replied, "What have I accomplished compared to you? Even the leftover grapes of Ephraim are worth more than the entire harvest of Abiezer!"

KJVKing James Version

And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Gideon is responding to the men of Ephraim who are upset that they were not called to fight earlier in the battle against the Midianites. He humbly compares his own achievements to theirs, suggesting that even the small leftovers from their harvest are more significant than his entire success. This reflects Gideon's humility and recognition of the contributions of others. He acknowledges that the Ephraimites, with their greater resources and victories, have accomplished more than he has. This moment highlights the importance of valuing the efforts of others and understanding that success is often a collective achievement rather than an individual one. Gideon's response serves to diffuse tension and promote unity among the tribes of Israel, emphasizing that every contribution, no matter how small, is valuable in the larger picture of God's work.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 8:2 to your life

In our interactions, we should practice humility and recognize the contributions of others. Acknowledging the efforts of those around us fosters unity and strengthens relationships. Instead of seeking personal glory, we can celebrate collective achievements and work together towards common goals, just as Gideon did.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Judges 8:2 mean?

Judges 8:2 shows Gideon humbly acknowledging the greater achievements of the Ephraimites compared to his own. He emphasizes that even their minor contributions are more significant than his entire success, highlighting the importance of recognizing others' efforts.

What is the significance of Gideon's response in Judges 8:2?

Gideon's response in Judges 8:2 reflects his humility and leadership style. By valuing the contributions of the Ephraimites, he promotes unity among the tribes and diffuses potential conflict, illustrating the importance of collaboration.

What does the phrase 'gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim' mean in Judges 8:2?

The phrase 'gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim' refers to the small leftover harvest that is still more valuable than Gideon's achievements. It symbolizes how even minor successes of others can outweigh one's own accomplishments.

How does Judges 8:2 relate to teamwork?

Judges 8:2 emphasizes the value of teamwork by showing that individual achievements are often less significant than collective efforts. Gideon's acknowledgment of the Ephraimites' contributions highlights the importance of working together towards common goals.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

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