Judges 8:30
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
Original Language Analysis
הָיוּ֙
H1961
הָיוּ֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּנִ֔ים
sons
H1121
בָּנִ֔ים
sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֹֽצְאֵ֖י
begotten
H3318
יֹֽצְאֵ֖י
begotten
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְרֵכ֑וֹ
of his body
H3409
יְרֵכ֑וֹ
of his body
Strong's:
H3409
Word #:
6 of 11
the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רַבּ֖וֹת
for he had many
H7227
רַבּ֖וֹת
for he had many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
9 of 11
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Cross References
Judges 9:2Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.Judges 9:5And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
Historical Context
Polygamy, while practiced by the patriarchs and later kings, was never God's ideal, which He established as monogamy in Genesis 2:24. Ancient Near Eastern kings commonly maintained large harems as displays of wealth, power, and diplomatic alliances. Gideon's seventy sons recall Gideon's seventy brothers murdered by Abimelech (9:5) and the seventy sons of Ahab later killed (2 Kings 10:1-7)—large families became targets in succession disputes.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you rationalize behaviors that contradict biblical standards because of cultural acceptance?
- In what ways do violations of God's design for sexuality and family affect future generations?
- Where are you living like the world while claiming to follow Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten—seventy sons, an extraordinary number indicating numerous wives. The phrase of his body begotten (יֹצְאֵי יְרֵכוֹ, yotze'ei yerecho, 'going forth from his thigh') is a Hebrew euphemism emphasizing biological paternity. For he had many wives (נָשִׁים רַבּוֹת, nashim rabot)—the explanation comes as an indictment, not justification.
This directly violates Deuteronomy 17:17's command that Israel's future king 'shall not multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away.' Though Gideon refused the title of king, he lived as one, accumulating the very things forbidden to kingship. Polygamy invariably produced rivalry, jealousy, and violence—as the subsequent Abimelech narrative demonstrates (chapter 9). When leaders ignore God's design for marriage and family, they sow seeds of destruction that germinate in the next generation. Sexual ethics and spiritual integrity cannot be separated.