Judges 8:24
And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
Original Language Analysis
אֶשְׁאֲלָ֤ה
unto them I would desire
H7592
אֶשְׁאֲלָ֤ה
unto them I would desire
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
4 of 18
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
מִכֶּם֙
H4480
מִכֶּם֙
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וּתְנוּ
of you that ye would give
H5414
וּתְנוּ
of you that ye would give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אִ֖ישׁ
me every man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
me every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זָהָב֙
For they had golden
H2091
זָהָב֙
For they had golden
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
14 of 18
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Genesis 25:13And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,Genesis 37:28Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.Genesis 37:25And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
Historical Context
Ishmaelites and Midianites were often used interchangeably for nomadic desert peoples descended from Abraham (Genesis 25:1-4, 12-18). Their wealth in gold jewelry was legendary, derived from caravan trade routes. The practice of warriors collecting spoils (שָׁלָל, shalal) was customary in ancient warfare, but Israel's laws regarding devoted things (חֵרֶם, herem) placed restrictions on such plunder (Numbers 31:50-54).
Questions for Reflection
- How do seemingly innocent requests or desires in your life potentially lead to spiritual compromise?
- In what ways might you be accepting rewards or recognition that subtly usurp God's glory?
- What safeguards can prevent victorious seasons from becoming occasions for spiritual decline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey—Gideon's seemingly modest request marks the beginning of his spiritual decline. The nezem (נֶזֶם, 'nose ring' or 'earring') were golden ornaments plundered from the Ishmaelites/Midianites. The parenthetical note for they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites connects these nomadic raiders to Abraham's lineage through Hagar, descendants who retained cultural practices of wearing abundant gold jewelry.
What appears as innocent compensation for military service becomes a snare. Gideon had just refused kingship (v. 23), declaring 'the LORD shall rule over you'—yet now he makes a 'request' (שְׁאֵלָה, she'elah) that will lead to idolatry. The irony is profound: the man who destroyed his father's Baal altar (6:25-32) will soon create an idolatrous object that ensnares his own house. This illustrates how spiritual compromise often begins with seemingly reasonable requests that subtly usurp God's glory.