Judges 8:17
New International Version
He also pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the town.

New Living Translation
He also tore down the tower of Peniel and killed all the men in the town.

English Standard Version
And he broke down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Berean Standard Bible
He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

King James Bible
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

New King James Version
Then he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

New American Standard Bible
And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

NASB 1995
He tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

NASB 1977
And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Amplified Bible
He tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Christian Standard Bible
He also tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He also tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

American Standard Version
And he brake down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

Contemporary English Version
Afterwards he went to Penuel, where he tore down the tower and killed all the town officials.

English Revised Version
And he brake down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of that city.

Good News Translation
He also tore down the tower at Penuel and killed the men of that city.

International Standard Version
He also demolished the tower in Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Majority Standard Bible
He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

NET Bible
He also tore down the tower of Penuel and executed the city's men.

New Heart English Bible
He broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

World English Bible
He broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he has broken down the Tower of Penuel, and slays the men of the city.

Young's Literal Translation
and the tower of Penuel he hath broken down, and slayeth the men of the city.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he brake down the tower of Penuel, and he will kill the men of the city.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he demolished the tower of Phanuel, and slew the men of the city.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He also overturned the tower of Penuel, and he killed the men of the city.

New American Bible
He also demolished the tower of Penuel and killed the people of the city.

New Revised Standard Version
He also broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he broke down the Tower of Phanuyel and he killed the men of the city
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he overthrew the tower of Phanuel, and slew the men of the city.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna
16Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth. 17 He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city. 18Next, Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?” “Men like you,” they answered, “each one resembling the son of a king.”…

Cross References
2 Kings 18:13
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.

Isaiah 37:12
Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?

Hosea 10:14
the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.

Amos 1:4-5
So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. / I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.

2 Kings 19:12
Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?

Isaiah 10:9
“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

2 Chronicles 32:1
After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.

Jeremiah 49:23-27
Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed. / Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor. / How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town that brings Me joy? ...

Matthew 11:21-24
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ...

Luke 10:13-15
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!

Isaiah 17:1-3
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. / The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear. / The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

2 Kings 16:9
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.

Isaiah 9:8-12
The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has fallen upon Israel. / All the people will know it—Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say: / “The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” ...

2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.

Isaiah 7:8
For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people.


Treasury of Scripture

And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

Judges 8:9
And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.

1 Kings 12:25
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.

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Beat Brake Broke Broken City Death Killed Peniel Penuel Penu'el Pulled Slayeth Slew Tore Tower
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Beat Brake Broke Broken City Death Killed Peniel Penuel Penu'el Pulled Slayeth Slew Tore Tower
Judges 8
1. Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites
4. Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army
10. Zebah and Zalmunna are taken
13. Succoth and Penuel are destroyed
17. Gideon revenges his brothers's death on Zebah and Zalmunna
22. He refuses government
24. His ephod the cause of idolatry
28. Midian subdued
29. Gideon's children, and death
33. The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude














He also tore down
The phrase "He also tore down" indicates a decisive and forceful action taken by Gideon. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "נָתַץ" (natats), which means to break down or destroy. This action reflects Gideon's commitment to eradicating idolatry and rebellion against God. Historically, tearing down a structure was a symbolic act of judgment and purification, often associated with removing false worship or disobedience. Gideon's actions here are consistent with his earlier destruction of the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25-27), demonstrating his zeal for the Lord and his role as a judge to lead Israel back to faithfulness.

the tower of Penuel
The "tower of Penuel" was a significant structure within the city, likely serving as a fortress or place of refuge. Penuel, or Peniel, is a location with historical and spiritual significance, as it is where Jacob wrestled with God and saw Him face to face (Genesis 32:30). The tower's destruction symbolizes the removal of false security and reliance on human strength rather than on God. In a broader biblical context, towers often represent human pride and self-reliance, as seen in the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). Gideon's act serves as a reminder that true security and strength come from the Lord alone.

and killed the men of the city
This phrase highlights the severe judgment executed by Gideon upon the men of Penuel. The Hebrew verb "הָרַג" (harag) means to kill or slay, indicating a complete and final judgment. The men of Penuel had refused to support Gideon and his men during their pursuit of the Midianite kings, an act of defiance against God's chosen leader and, by extension, against God Himself. In the context of the Book of Judges, such actions often led to divine retribution. This harsh consequence underscores the seriousness of opposing God's purposes and the importance of aligning with His will. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of disobedience and the necessity of supporting God's work and His appointed leaders.

(17) Beat down the tower.--The importance of the place led to its re-fortification by Jeroboam (1Kings 12:25).

Verse 17. - He slew the men of the city. This makes it probable that the threshing of the men of Succoth was a capital punishment, as there is no reason why the men of Penuel should be more severely punished than the men of Succoth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He also pulled down
נָתָ֑ץ (nā·ṯāṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5422: To pull down, break down

the tower
מִגְדַּ֥ל (miḡ·dal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers

of Penuel
פְּנוּאֵ֖ל (pə·nū·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6439: Penuel -- 'face of God', a place East of the Jordan, also two Israelites

and killed
וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֖ג (way·ya·hă·rōḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

the men
אַנְשֵׁ֥י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of the city.
הָעִֽיר׃ (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT History: Judges 8:17 He broke down the tower of Penuel (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 8:16
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