Judges 8:26

Judges 8:26 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The weight of the gold earrings he had requested was 1,700 shekels, in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple garments of the kings of Midian, and the chains from the necks of their camels.

King James Version KJV

And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

American Standard Version ASV

And the weight of the golden ear-rings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The weight of the gold ear-rings which he got from them was one thousand, seven hundred shekels of gold; in addition to the moon-ornaments and jewels and the purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and the chains on their camels' necks.

Free Bible Version FBV

The weight of the earrings he'd asked for was 1,700 shekels, not including the ornaments, the pendants, and the purple garments worn by the Midianite kings or the chains that were round their camels' necks.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the weight of the golden earings that he required, was a thousande and seuen hundreth shekels of golde, beside collers and iewels, and purple rayment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the cheynes that were about their camels neckes.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the weight of the rings of gold which he asked is a thousand and seven hundred [shekels] of gold, apart from the round ornaments, and the drops, and the purple garments, which [are] on the kings of Midian, and apart from the chains which [are] on the necks of their camels,

World English Bible WEB

The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, in addition to the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple clothing that was on the kings of Midian, and in addition to the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the weight of the golden ear-rings that he requested, was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; besides ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were about their camels' necks.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the weight of the earlets that he requested, was a thousand seven hundred sicles of gold, besides the ornaments, and jewels, and purple raiment which the kings of Madian were went to use, and besides the golden chains that were about the camels’ necks.

Translation for Translators T4T

The weight of all the earrings was ◄43 pounds/19.4 kg.►. That did not include other things that they gave to Gideon—the other ornaments or the pendants or the clothes that the kings of Midian wore or the gold chains that were on the necks of their camels.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 8:26

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 8:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יְהִ֗י מִשְׁקַ֞ל נִזְמֵ֤י הַ/זָּהָב֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁאָ֔ל אֶ֥לֶף וּ/שְׁבַע מֵא֖וֹת זָהָ֑ב לְ֠/בַד מִן הַ/שַּׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים וְ/הַ/נְּטִפ֜וֹת וּ/בִגְדֵ֣י הָ/אַרְגָּמָ֗ן שֶׁ/עַל֙ מַלְכֵ֣י מִדְיָ֔ן וּ/לְ/בַד֙ מִן הָ֣/עֲנָק֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּ/צַוְּארֵ֥י גְמַלֵּי/הֶֽם

וַ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

מִשְׁקַ֞ל mishqâl H4948 weight N-ms

נִזְמֵ֤י nezem H5141 ring N-mp

הַ/זָּהָב֙ zâhâb H2091 gold Art | N-ms

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

שָׁאָ֔ל shâʼal H7592 to ask V-Qal-Perf-3ms

אֶ֥לֶף ʼeleph H505 thousand Adj

וּ/שְׁבַע shebaʻ H7651 seven Conj | Adj

מֵא֖וֹת mêʼâh H3967 hundred Adj

זָהָ֑ב zâhâb H2091 gold N-ms

לְ֠/בַד bad H905 alone Prep | N-ms

מִן min H4480 from Prep

הַ/שַּׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים sahărôn H7720 crescent Art | N-mp

וְ/הַ/נְּטִפ֜וֹת nᵉṭîyphâh H5188 pendant Conj | Art | N-fp

וּ/בִגְדֵ֣י beged H899 treachery Conj | N-mp

הָ/אַרְגָּמָ֗ן ʼargâmân H713 purple Art | N-ms

שֶׁ/עַל֙ ʻal H5921 upon Rel | Prep

מַלְכֵ֣י melek H4428 King's N-mp

מִדְיָ֔ן Midyân H4080 Midian N-proper

וּ/לְ/בַד֙ bad H905 alone Conj | Prep | N-ms

מִן min H4480 from Prep

הָ֣/עֲנָק֔וֹת ʻânâq H6060 neck Art | N-mp

אֲשֶׁ֖ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

בְּ/צַוְּארֵ֥י tsavvâʼr H6677 neck Prep | N-mp

גְמַלֵּי/הֶֽם gâmâl H1581 camel N-mp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 8:26

וַ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

מִשְׁקַ֞ל mishqâl H4948 "weight" N-ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means weight or heaviness, often referring to a full weight, like in trade or commerce, as seen in Genesis. It represents a standard unit of measurement.

Definition: heaviness, weight

Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (full) weight. See also: Genesis 24:22; 1 Kings 7:47; Jeremiah 52:20.

נִזְמֵ֤י nezem H5141 "ring" N-mp

A nose-ring or earring, this word describes a piece of jewelry worn by both men and women in biblical times. In Isaiah 3:21, it is listed as one of the extravagant items that will be lost. The word is also used in Genesis 24:22 to describe a gift given to Rebekah.

Definition: 1) ring, nose ring, earring 1a) nose ring (woman's ornament) 1b) earring (ornament of men or women)

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: earring, jewel. See also: Genesis 24:22; Judges 8:25; Proverbs 11:22.

הַ/זָּהָב֙ zâhâb H2091 "gold" Art | N-ms

Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.

Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)

Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

שָׁאָ֔ל shâʼal H7592 "to ask" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.

Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)

Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.

אֶ֥לֶף ʼeleph H505 "thousand" Adj

A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.

Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops

Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.

וּ/שְׁבַע shebaʻ H7651 "seven" Conj | Adj

This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.

Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)

Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.

מֵא֖וֹת mêʼâh H3967 "hundred" Adj

Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.

Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.

זָהָ֑ב zâhâb H2091 "gold" N-ms

Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.

Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)

Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.

לְ֠/בַד bad H905 "alone" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.

Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars

Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.

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/שַּׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים sahărôn H7720 "crescent" Art | N-mp

This word describes a round ornament, often shaped like a crescent moon, worn as a necklace, symbolizing beauty and elegance in ancient times, like the ornaments mentioned in Isaiah 3:18-23.

Definition: 1) moon, crescent 1a) as ornament

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: ornament, round tire like the moon. See also: Judges 8:21; Judges 8:26; Isaiah 3:18.

וְ/הַ/נְּטִפ֜וֹת nᵉṭîyphâh H5188 "pendant" Conj | Art | N-fp

A pendant is an ornament that hangs from the ear, like the earrings worn by the Israelite women in the book of Exodus.

Definition: 1) drop 1a) pendant, ornament

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: chain, collar. See also: Judges 8:26; Isaiah 3:19.

וּ/בִגְדֵ֣י beged H899 "treachery" Conj | N-mp

In the Bible, this word refers to clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.

Definition: treachery, deceit

Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe. See also: Genesis 24:53; Judges 17:10; Psalms 22:19.

הָ/אַרְגָּמָ֗ן ʼargâmân H713 "purple" Art | N-ms

The Hebrew word for purple, describing the color or dyed fabric, is used in the Bible to describe royal garments, like those worn by King Solomon. In Exodus 28:5, it is used to describe the priestly robes. The color symbolized wealth and power.

Definition: purple, red-purple

Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: purple. See also: Exodus 25:4; Exodus 39:1; Proverbs 31:22.

שֶׁ/עַל֙ ʻal H5921 "upon" Rel | Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

מַלְכֵ֣י melek H4428 "King's" N-mp

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

מִדְיָ֔ן Midyân H4080 "Midian" N-proper

Refers to Midian, a son of Abraham, his country, and descendants, known for being a tribe that lived in the desert north of the Arabian peninsula.

Definition: § Midian or Midianite = "strife" the tribe descended from Midian inhabitant of the territory of the tribe descended from Midian; located principally in the desert north of the Arabian peninsula; land to which Moses went when he fled from Pharaoh

Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: Midian, Midianite. See also: Genesis 25:2; Judges 7:1; Psalms 83:10.

וּ/לְ/בַד֙ bad H905 "alone" Conj | Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.

Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.

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.

הָ֣/עֲנָק֔וֹת ʻânâq H6060 "neck" Art | N-mp

A necklace or chain, symbolizing adornment or decoration, as mentioned in Song of Solomon 1. This word represents a decorative item worn around the neck.

Definition: (TWOT) neck

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: chain. See also: Judges 8:26; Proverbs 1:9; Song of Solomon 4:9.

אֲשֶׁ֖ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

בְּ/צַוְּארֵ֥י tsavvâʼr H6677 "neck" Prep | N-mp

This term describes a necklace or ornament worn around the neck, signifying beauty and status, as in Ezekiel 23:25. It represents the adornment of God's people.

Definition: 1) neck, back of neck 1a) neck, back of neck (of man) 1b) neck (of animals) Aramaic equivalent: tsav.var (צַוַּאר "neck" H6676)

Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: neck. See also: Genesis 27:16; Song of Solomon 7:5; Psalms 75:6.

גְמַלֵּי/הֶֽם gâmâl H1581 "camel" N-mp | Suff

A camel, used for riding or carrying loads, is mentioned in the Bible as a valuable animal. In the KJV, it is translated simply as 'camel'.

Definition: 1) camel 1a) as property, as beast of burden, for riding, forbidden for food

Usage: Occurs in 51 OT verses. KJV: camel. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:5; Isaiah 21:7.

Study Notes — Judges 8:26

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Context
Cross References
Judges 8:26 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 8:26
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 8:26
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 8:26
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 8:26
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 8:26
Cambridge Bible on Judges 8:26
Barnes' Notes on Judges 8:26
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 8:26
Sermons on Judges 8:26

Context — Gideon’s Ephod

24Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) 25“We will give them gladly,” they replied. So they spread out a garment, and each man threw an earring from his plunder onto it.

26The weight of the gold earrings he had requested was 1,700 shekels, in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple garments of the kings of Midian, and the chains from the necks of their camels.

27From all this Gideon made an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household. 28In this way Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. So the land had rest for forty years in the days of Gideon,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Revelation 18:16	saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!
2	John 19:2	The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe.
3	Revelation 18:12	cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
4	John 19:5	When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
5	Jeremiah 10:9	Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz— the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers.
6	Esther 8:15	Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
7	Revelation 17:4	The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.
8	Ezekiel 27:7	Of embroidered fine linen from Egypt they made your sail, which served as your banner. Of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah they made your awning.
9	Luke 16:19	Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.

Judges 8:26 Summary

This verse is talking about the spoils of war that the Israelites collected from their enemies, the Midianites. They took a lot of gold earrings, as well as other valuable items like crescent ornaments and purple garments. The weight of the gold earrings alone was 1,700 shekels, which is a significant amount. This verse reminds us that even in times of great victory and celebration, we must be careful not to let our focus shift from God to the riches and spoils of this world, as warned in 1 Timothy 6:10, and instead, we should remain humble and grateful, as seen in Psalm 100:4-5, and remember that true rest and peace come from God, as promised in Matthew 11:28-30.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the gold earrings in Judges 8:26?

The gold earrings represent the spoils of war that the Israelites collected from their enemies, the Midianites, as seen in Judges 8:24-25, and they were used to make an ephod, which later became a snare to the Israelites, as mentioned in Judges 8:27, similar to the warnings against idolatry in Deuteronomy 12:3.

What are the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple garments mentioned in this verse?

These items, along with the gold earrings, were part of the plunder taken from the Midianites, and they symbolize the wealth and riches of the enemy, as described in Judges 8:26, and are reminiscent of the riches of the Egyptians that the Israelites took with them when they left Egypt, as seen in Exodus 12:35-36.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of Gideon?

This verse is part of the larger narrative of Gideon's victory over the Midianites, as seen in Judges 8:1-21, and it highlights the wealth and riches that the Israelites gained from their victory, but also sets the stage for the problems that arise from their idolatry, as mentioned in Judges 8:27, and the subsequent rest that the land experiences, as seen in Judges 8:28, similar to the rest promised in Leviticus 26:6.

What can we learn from the Israelites' actions in this verse?

We can learn that even in times of great victory and celebration, we must be careful not to let our focus shift from God to the riches and spoils of this world, as warned in 1 Timothy 6:10, and instead, we should remain humble and grateful, as seen in Psalm 100:4-5, and remember that true rest and peace come from God, as promised in Matthew 11:28-30.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can be tempted to focus on the 'spoils' of my own life, rather than on God, and how can I stay focused on Him, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:2?
How can I use my own 'riches' and 'possessions' to bring glory to God, rather than to myself, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30?
What are some things in my life that could become a 'snare' to me, like the ephod did to the Israelites, and how can I avoid them, as warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12?
What does it mean to 'prostitute' myself to something, as the Israelites did with the ephod, and how can I avoid doing so, as warned in 2 Peter 2:20-22?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 8:26

And the weight of the golden earrings he requested was one thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold,.... Which, as Schcuchzer (e) computes, was eight hundred and ten ounces, five drachms, one

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 8:26

And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 8:26

Judges 8:26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred [shekels] of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that [was] on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that [were] about their camels’ necks.Ver. 26. And collars.] Or golden cabinets; wherein they carried balsam to pour into their wounds. Vatab.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 8:26

(26) A thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold.—About seventy pounds of gold. This would imply a very large number of nose-rings or earrings (Genesis 24:22), and therefore a slaughter of many leading Midianites. It is analogous to the “three bushels of knights’ rings” which Mago carried to Carthage, and emptied upon the floor of the Carthaginian Senate, after the massacre of the Romans at Cannae (Liv. xxiii. 12). Beside ornaments.—Rather, beside the golden crescents (Judges 8:21). Gideon seems to have gratified his love of vengeance, as goel, before he thought of booty. And collars.—Marg., sweet jewels. Rather, and the eardrops (netiphoth, Isaiah 3:19). Wellsted, in his Travels in Arabia, says that the Arab women are accustomed to load themselves and their children with earrings and ornaments, of which he sometimes counted as many as fifteen on each side. Purple raiment.—Comp. Exodus 25:4.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 8:26

Verse 26. The weight of the golden ear-rings - was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold] Taking the shekel at half an ounce weight, the sum of the gold collected in ear-rings was seventy pounds ten ounces; and worth, as gold now rates, about £3,100 sterling. This computation of the weight of the golden ear-rings, taken from the slaughtered Ishmaelites, will bring to the reader's mind the slaughter of the Roman knights by the Carthaginians at the battle of Cannae, from whose spoils Hannibal sent three bushels of gold rings to the city of Carthage!

Cambridge Bible on Judges 8:26

26. And the weight etc.] 1700 shekels of gold by the heavy standard = nearly 75 lbs. Troy = £3485, or by the light standard = nearly 37½ lbs. Troy = 742 10s. A single ring might weigh half a shekel, Genesis 24:22. beside the crescents … necks] The sentence interrupts the account of the ephod, and looks like a later addition. Pendants (Heb. neṭ ?îfôth from naṭ ?af ‘to drop’) were perhaps single beads or gems attached to the lobe of the ear, cf. Arab. naṭ ?afat ‘a small clear pearl’; the Verss. understood some kind of necklace, so AV. collars; some Jewish interpreters think of small boxes containing fragrant gum (nâṭ ?âf ‘stacte,’ Exodus 30:34), hence AVm. sweet jewels. For chains render necklaces, Son 4:9, Proverbs 1:9, contrast the crescents in Judges 8:21.

Barnes' Notes on Judges 8:26

If the Ishmaelite nose-rings were half a shekel in weight, then 1,700 shekels weight of gold implied that 3,400 persons wearing, gold rings had been slain. The “collars” were rather “ear-drops.”

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 8:26

26. A thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold — About seventy pounds, Troy weight. Ornaments — Note, Judges 8:21. Collars — Rather, pendants; probably some sort of drops suspended from the earrings.

Sermons on Judges 8:26

	Sermon	Description
	(Demonology) the Devil Against Christ - Part 2 by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging in spiritual warfare against the devil and his dark forces. He mentions the charismatic movemen
	4. the Place Where This Epistle Was Written by Daniel Steele	Daniel Steele discusses the historical significance of John's residence in Ephesus, a major center of influence in the Orient during the early days of Christianity. The city was vi
	When Darkness Fails to Comprehend the Light by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the speaker encourages the listeners to not lose hope in the face of failure and to press on towards God. He references a scripture from Isaiah, urging the audience
	Behold the Emperor of Woe! by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon invites believers to behold Jesus, the 'Emperor of Woe,' emphasizing that true joy and comfort come from understanding His profound suffering. He paints a vivid pictu
	"Behold the Man!" by J.R. Miller	J.R. Miller reflects on Pilate's poignant presentation of Jesus, urging the crowd to 'Behold the man!' as He stands adorned with a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Despite the cr
	Wine for Gospel wantons... by Thomas Shepard	Thomas Shepard preaches on the consequences of spiritual drunkenness as described in Jeremiah 13:12-15, where God fills the inhabitants of the land with a spirit of drunkenness, le
	Hell No Exits by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Revelation and highlights three aspects of it: Majesty, mystery, and misery. He encourages the audience to seek inspiration from