Old Testament
Judges 8:27
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Gideon made an ephod from the gold and placed it in his city, Ophrah. All Israel went there and were unfaithful by following it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.
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And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
What Judges 8:27 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Gideon creates an ephod, a religious garment, from gold and places it in his hometown of Ophrah. Instead of serving as a symbol of worship to God, the ephod becomes an object of idolatry. The people of Israel begin to worship the ephod, turning away from God and engaging in unfaithfulness. This act leads to spiritual downfall, not only for the Israelites but also for Gideon and his family, as it becomes a snare or trap for them. The verse highlights the dangers of misplaced faith and the consequences of allowing objects or symbols to take the place of true worship. Gideon's intention may have been good, but the outcome was disastrous, showing how easily people can stray from true devotion to God.
How to apply Judges 8:27 to your life
This verse serves as a warning about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of keeping our focus on God. We should be cautious about what we elevate in our lives, ensuring that our worship and devotion remain directed towards God alone, rather than being distracted by material or symbolic representations.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
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Illustrated scene from Gideon's story: “The LORD Shall Rule Over You” (Judges 8:22–27)
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Gideon
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
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Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
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Keep studying Judges 8:27
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Key themes
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At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 8:27 mean?
Judges 8:27 describes how Gideon made an ephod from gold and placed it in Ophrah, which led the Israelites to worship it instead of God. This act of idolatry resulted in spiritual unfaithfulness and became a trap for Gideon and his family.
What is the significance of the ephod in Judges 8:27?
The ephod in Judges 8:27 was intended as a religious garment, but it became an object of worship for the Israelites. Its significance lies in how it illustrates the dangers of turning symbols of faith into idols, leading to spiritual downfall.
How does Judges 8:27 relate to idolatry?
Judges 8:27 illustrates idolatry by showing how the ephod, meant to honor God, became an object of worship for the Israelites. This shift in focus from God to a created object serves as a warning against the dangers of idolizing material things.
What lessons can we learn from Judges 8:27?
From Judges 8:27, we learn the importance of keeping our worship directed towards God and being cautious about what we elevate in our lives. It serves as a reminder that even good intentions can lead to negative outcomes if they result in misplaced faith.
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