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Judges 8:13

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Judges 8:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

After this, Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle along the Ascent of Heres.

King James Version KJV

¶ And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,

American Standard Version ASV

And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then Gideon, the son of Joash, went back from the fight:

Free Bible Version FBV

Then Gideon, son of Joash, returned from the battle through the Heres Pass.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So Gideon the sonne of Ioash returned from battel, the sunne being yet hie,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Gideon son of Joash turneth back from the battle, at the going up of the sun,

World English Bible WEB

Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun had risen ,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And returning from the battle before the sun rising,

Translation for Translators T4T

After that, Gideon and his men took Zebah and Zalmunna with them and started to return, going through Heres Pass.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 8:13

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 8:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יָּ֛שָׁב גִּדְע֥וֹן בֶּן יוֹאָ֖שׁ מִן הַ/מִּלְחָמָ֑ה מִֽ/לְ/מַעֲלֵ֖ה הֶ/חָֽרֶס
וַ/יָּ֛שָׁב shûwb H7725 to return Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
גִּדְע֥וֹן Gidʻôwn H1439 Gideon N-proper
בֶּן bên H1121 son N-ms
יוֹאָ֖שׁ Yôwʼâsh H3101 Joash N-proper
מִן min H4480 from Prep
הַ/מִּלְחָמָ֑ה milchâmâh H4421 battle Art | N-fs
מִֽ/לְ/מַעֲלֵ֖ה maʻăleh H4608 ascent Prep | Prep | N-ms
הֶ/חָֽרֶס chereç H2775 sun Art | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 8:13

וַ/יָּ֛שָׁב shûwb H7725 "to return" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
גִּדְע֥וֹן Gidʻôwn H1439 "Gideon" N-proper
Gideon was a judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites. His name means 'hewer' and he is also called Jerubbaal.
Definition: A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.6.11; son of: Joash (H3101); father of: Jether (H3500), Abimelech (H0040H) and Jotham (H3147); also called Jerubbaal at Jdg.6.32; 7.1; 8.29,35; 9.1,2,5,16,19,24,28,57; 1xJerubbesheth at 2Sa.11.21; § Gideon = "hewer" youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Gideon. See also: Judges 6:11; Judges 7:18; Judges 8:35.
בֶּן bên H1121 "son" N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יוֹאָ֖שׁ Yôwʼâsh H3101 "Joash" N-proper
Joash means given by the Lord, the name of several Israelites, including a king of Judah and a king of Israel, mentioned in 1 Chronicles and other books.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.3; son of: Shemaah (H8094); brother of: Ahiezer (H0295H) § Joash = "given by the Lord" 1) son of king Ahaziah and the 8th king of Judah 2) son of king Jehoahaz and the 12th king of the northern kingdom of Israel 3) father of Gideon 4) a son of king Ahab 5) a descendant of Shelah the son of Judah; either the son of Shelah or the son of Jokim 6) son of Shemaah of Gibeah who resorted to David at Ziklag
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: Joash. See also: Judges 6:11; 2 Kings 14:3; Amos 1:1.
מִן min H4480 "from" Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/מִּלְחָמָ֑ה milchâmâh H4421 "battle" Art | N-fs
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
מִֽ/לְ/מַעֲלֵ֖ה maʻăleh H4608 "ascent" Prep | Prep | N-ms
Means an upward movement, like climbing a hill or stairs, as in Exodus 20:26, where the Israelites are instructed not to climb the altar by steps. It can also represent spiritual growth.
Definition: ascent, incline
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: ascent, before, chiefest, cliff, that goeth up, going up, hill, mounting up, stairs. See also: Joshua 15:7; 2 Chronicles 32:33; Isaiah 15:5.
הֶ/חָֽרֶס chereç H2775 "sun" Art | N-proper
The Hebrew word 'chereç' can mean 'itch' or 'sun', referring to a skin disease or the sun in the sky. It is translated as 'itch' or 'sun' in the KJV Bible.
Definition: sun
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: itch, sun. See also: Deuteronomy 28:27; Judges 14:18; Job 9:7.

Study Notes — Judges 8:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Judges 8:13 Summary

Judges 8:13 tells us that after a big battle, Gideon returned from the fight along the Ascent of Heres. This verse reminds us that even after we face challenges and come out on top, we still have responsibilities to attend to, just like Gideon did. As Christians, we can learn from Gideon's example of leadership and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Romans 8:28, and remember that God is always with us, guiding and directing us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11. By following Gideon's example, we can be good stewards of what God has given us and trust Him to use us for His glory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ascent of Heres and why is it significant in Judges 8:13?

The Ascent of Heres is a location where Gideon returned from battle, its significance is not fully known but it may be a strategic location or a place of refuge, similar to how God provided for the Israelites in Exodus 33:12-14 when they were traveling through the wilderness.

Why does the verse mention Gideon's father, Joash, in Judges 8:13?

Gideon is referred to as the son of Joash to remind us of his humble beginnings and to highlight God's choice of him as a leader, despite his family background, as seen in Judges 6:15 where Gideon says he is the least in his family.

What can we learn from Gideon's actions after the battle in Judges 8:13?

Gideon's return from battle along the Ascent of Heres shows that he is a man of action and a leader who takes care of his responsibilities, similar to how Jesus taught us to be good stewards in Luke 12:42-48.

How does Judges 8:13 fit into the larger story of Gideon's life and the book of Judges?

Judges 8:13 is a pivotal moment in Gideon's story as it marks a turning point in his journey from being a humble farmer to becoming a leader of the Israelites, and it sets the stage for the events that unfold in the rest of the chapter, ultimately pointing to God's faithfulness and sovereignty as seen in Judges 7:2-7.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can apply Gideon's example of leadership and responsibility to my own life?
  2. How can I trust God to use me, despite my own weaknesses and limitations, just like He used Gideon?
  3. What are some 'battles' I am facing in my own life, and how can I trust God to give me victory, just as He did for Gideon?
  4. In what ways can I, like Gideon, be a good steward of the resources and opportunities God has given me?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 8:13

And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle,.... To Penuel and Succoth, to chastise them for their ill treatment of him and his men: before the sun was up; by which it appears that it was in the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 8:13

And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up, Gideon ... returned from battle before the sun was up.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 8:13

By which it may be gathered that he came upon them in the night, which was most convenient for him, who had so small a number with him; and most likely both to surprise and terrify them by the remembrance of the last night’ s sad work, and the expectation of another like it.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 8:13

Judges 8:13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun [was up],Ver. 13. Before the sun was up.] Still he set upon them in the night, because of the weakness of his army, which by night appeared not. Julius Caesar, indeed, held the night unfit for battle, Lucem enim pudorem oculis militum afferre. But I cannot think with Vatablus and others, that this war here was begun and ended in one night. Hoc bellum una nocte fuit incaeptum et confectum: quod refertur ad laudem Dei. - Vat.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 8:13

(13) Before the sun was up.—If the rendering were certain, it would prove that he had made a night attack on Karkor; but it seems more probable that the words should be rendered “from the ascent of Heres,” or “of Hechares,” as in the LXX., Peshito, and Arabic. If so, it implies that he came round by some other road to attack Succoth. The word for “going up” is maaleh, as in Maaleh Ahrabbim, “the ascent of scorpions” (see Note on Judges 1:36), which is also applied to sunrise. (Genesis 19:15.) It cannot possibly mean “before sunset” (ehe die Sonne heraufgekommen war), as Luther renders it, following the Chaldee and various Rabbis. The ordinary word for “sun” is shemesh, not cheres; but the latter word occurs in various names (see on Judges 1:35; Judges 2:9), which makes it perhaps more probable that this also is the name of some place. It might, indeed, be prudent for Gideon to desist from further pursuit when the dawn revealed the paucity and exhaustion of his followers; and in poetic style (Job 9:7) cheres may mean “sun,” so that here the phrase might be an archaism, as cheresah is in Judges 14:18; but the preposition used (min) cannot mean “before.” Aquila renders it “from the ascent of the groves” and Symmachus “of the mountains;” but this is only due to a defective reading.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 8:13

Verse 13. Returned from battle before the sun was up] This does not appear to be a proper translation of מלמעלה החרס milmaaleh hechares. It should be rendered from the ascent of Chares: this is the reading of the Septuagint, the Syriac, and the Arabic.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 8:13

13. from the ascent of Heres] So LXX. A and Luc., with a slight correction of the text; or upwards to Heres, with further corrections. The word Ḥ ?eres = ‘the sun’ lends itself to various experiments, which are to be seen in the Versions. The general sense of the verse seems to be that Gideon returned from the battle by some different way.

Barnes' Notes on Judges 8:13

Before the sun was up - The translation of the words is doubtful, because of the rarity of the word rendered “sun” (חרס cheres). Many suppose it to be the name of a mountain pass, and render it from the ascent of Heres.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 8:13

OF SUCCOTH AND PENUEL, Judges 8:13-17. 13. Before the sun was up — Thus the Vulgate, Luther, and others.
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