Judges - 8:4



4 Gideon came to the Jordan, (and) passed over, he, and the three hundred men who were with him, faint, yet pursuing.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Judges 8:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
And when Gedeon was come to the Jordan, he passed over it with the three hundred men, that were with him: who were so weary that they could not pursue after them that fled.
And Gideon cometh in unto the Jordan, passing over, he and the three hundred men who are with him, wearied, and pursuing,
Then Gideon came to Jordan and went over it with his three hundred, overcome with weariness and in need of food.
Gideon came to the Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men who were with him, exhausted and famished.
And when Gideon had arrived at the Jordan, he crossed over it with the three hundred men who were with him. And they were so weary that they were unable to pursue those who were fleeing.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Faint, yet pursuing - The Vulgate paraphrases this, et prae lassitudine, fugientes persequi non poterant; "and, through fatigue, unable to pursue the fugitives."

And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over..... That river; See Gill on Judges 7:25 he and three hundred men that were with him, at the defeat of the Midianites in the valley of Jezreel; so that neither at that nor in the pursuit of them hitherto, had he lost one man:
faint, yet pursuing them: they were faint with being up all night, and continually blowing their trumpets; and had been upon the pursuit of their enemies ever since the defeat; and yet, though they were so faint, they did not leave off the pursuit, but were eager at it.

Gideon's men were faint, yet pursuing; fatigued with what they had done, yet eager to do more against their enemies. It is many a time the true Christian's case, fainting, and yet pursuing. The world knows but little of the persevering and successful struggle the real believer maintains with his sinful heart. But he betakes himself to that Divine strength, in the faith of which he began his conflict, and by the supply of which alone he can finish it in triumph.

Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over--much exhausted, but eager to continue the pursuit till the victory was consummated.

Pursuit and Complete Overthrow of the Midianites. - That the Midianites whom God had delivered into his hand might be utterly destroyed, Gideon pursued those who had escaped across the Jordan, till he overtook them on the eastern boundary of Gilead and smote them there.

Passed over - Or, had passed over.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on Judges 8:4

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.