Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
The Avenger of Blood
Commentators unanimously explain that Gideon was not acting out of mere personal vengeance. He was fulfilling the recognized legal and cultural role of the 'goel' or 'avenger of blood' (Numbers 35:12). As the next of kin to his murdered brothers, it was his duty to execute justice upon their killers, an action understood as righteous within his cultural context.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Judges
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
5
Albert Barnes
On Judges 8:20
18th Century
Theologian
It was Gideon’s place to act the part of the “avenger of blood” (Numbers 35:12; Deuteronomy 19:6). The fierce manners of th…
Charles Ellicott
On Judges 8:20
19th Century
Bishop
And he said to Jether. — By the jus talionis, as well as by every other consideration of that time, Gideon, as the last s…
Charles Spurgeon
On Judges 8:20–22
19th Century
Preacher
There was always an itching among the Israelites to have a king, an earthly monarch to rule over them; but God did not design it that way.
It…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
John Gill
On Judges 8:20
17th Century
Pastor
And he said unto Jether, his firstborn, up, and slay them ,
Being the near kinsman of his father's brethren, whom th…
Matthew Henry
On Judges 8:18–21
17th Century
Minister
The kings of Midian must be reckoned with. As they confessed themselves guilty of murder, Gideon acted as the avenger of blood, being the next of k…