Judges 8:6
The men of Succoth display an attitude of doubt toward Gideon when *“The leaders of Succoth said, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hands, that we should give bread to your army?’” (v.6)*. Succoth was a town east of the Jordan River, located in the region later occupied by the tribe of Gad. During approximately the 12th century BC, Gideon was called by God as a judge to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. In this moment, he requests aid for his weary soldiers while continuing his pursuit of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. The leaders of Succoth, however, respond with skepticism, implying that Gideon’s victory was not yet certain enough to merit their support.
The doubt from Succoth’s leaders demonstrates a lack of faith in the Lord’s power working through Gideon. These leaders effectively tell Gideon that they will wait to see if he actually captures Zebah and Zalmunna before offering any help. Their distrust speaks to the broader themes found throughout the book of Judges, where Israel struggles to remain faithful and to trust God’s deliverance. Gideon’s role as a judge points forward to the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ, who calls His followers to trust in Him fully (Matthew 11:28-29 NASB-95) rather than rely on human certainty or control.
Their refusal reflects a common human tendency to store up provision and withhold help until victory is assured.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 5:6-8 meaning. The second segment of the song to the Lord in Judges 5 reflects the turmoil and oppression that Israel faced before the victory led by Deborah and Barak. The people had been living in fear and desolation. Yet, through Deborah’s faithfulness, God began to restore Israel, leading to the defeat of their enemies.
- 1 Samuel 8:6-9 meaning. Samuel is unhappy that Israel wants a king, so he prays to God for guidance. God assures Samuel that Israel is rejecting Him, not Samuel. He explains that this is how the Israelites have always behaved. God will grant Israel a human king, but first they must be warned of the consequences that will bring.
- Judges 2:6-10 meaning. This passage from Judges provides a snapshot of the transition from Joshua’s leadership to the period of the judges, highlighting both continuity and change in Israel’s spiritual and societal landscape.