Judges 8:20
New International Version
Turning to Jether, his oldest son, he said, “Kill them!” But Jether did not draw his sword, because he was only a boy and was afraid.

New Living Translation
Turning to Jether, his oldest son, he said, “Kill them!” But Jether did not draw his sword, for he was only a boy and was afraid.

English Standard Version
So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise and kill them!” But the young man did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a young man.

Berean Standard Bible
So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth.

King James Bible
And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

New King James Version
And he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise, kill them!” But the youth would not draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.

New American Standard Bible
So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise, kill them.” But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.

NASB 1995
So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise, kill them.” But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.

NASB 1977
So he said to Jether his first-born, “Rise, kill them.” But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise, kill them.” But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid because he was still a youth.

Amplified Bible
So [to humiliate them] Gideon said to Jether his firstborn, “Stand up, and kill them!” But the youth did not draw his sword, because he was afraid, for he was still [just] a boy.

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” The youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid because he was still a youth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” The youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid because he was still a youth.

American Standard Version
And he said unto Jether his first-born, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword; for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

Contemporary English Version
Gideon turned to Jether, his oldest son. "Kill them!" Gideon said. But Jether was young, and he was too afraid to even pull out his sword.

English Revised Version
And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he told Jether, his firstborn son, "Get up and kill them!" But Jether didn't draw his sword. He was afraid because he was only a young man.

Good News Translation
Then he said to Jether, his oldest son, "Go ahead, kill them!" But the boy did not draw his sword. He hesitated, because he was still only a boy.

International Standard Version
Then he told his firstborn son Jether, "Get up and kill them!" But he was afraid, since he was still only a youngster.

Majority Standard Bible
So he said to Jether, his firstborn, ?Get up and kill them.? But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth.

NET Bible
He ordered Jether his firstborn son, "Come on! Kill them!" But Jether was too afraid to draw his sword, because he was still young.

New Heart English Bible
He said to Jether his firstborn, "Get up, and kill them." But the youth did not draw his sword; for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to Jether his first-born, Arise, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

World English Bible
He said to Jether his firstborn, “Get up and kill them!” But the youth didn’t draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was yet a youth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to his firstborn Jether, “Rise, slay them”; and the young man has not drawn his sword, for he has been afraid, for he [is] yet a youth.

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to Jether his first-born, 'Rise, slay them;' and the young man hath not drawn his sword, for he hath been afraid, for he is yet a youth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to Jether his first-born, Arise, kill them. But the youth drew not his sword, for he was afraid, because he was yet a youth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to Jether his eldest son: Arise, and slay them. But he drew not his sword: for he was afraid, being but yet a boy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to Jether, his firstborn son, “Rise up, and put them to death.” But he did not draw his sword. For he was afraid, being still a boy.

New American Bible
Then he said to his firstborn, Jether, “Go, kill them.” But the boy did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, for he was still a boy.

New Revised Standard Version
So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Go kill them!” But the boy did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a boy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to Jether his firstborn, Arise and slay them. But the youth did not draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to Yathar, his firstborn: “Arise, kill them!” And the boy did not draw his sword because he was afraid, for he was still a boy
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto Jether his first-born: 'Up, and slay them.' But the youth drew not his sword; for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to Jether his first-born, Rise and slay them; but the lad drew not his sword, for he was afraid, for he was yet very young.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna
19“They were my brothers,” Gideon replied, “the sons of my mother! As surely as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.” 20So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth. 21Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Get up and kill us yourself, for as the man is, so is his strength.” So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments from the necks of their camels.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 15:33
But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

1 Kings 2:25
So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.

1 Kings 2:34
So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness.

1 Kings 2:46
Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon.

2 Samuel 1:15-16
Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

2 Samuel 4:12
So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.

1 Samuel 17:51
David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

1 Samuel 31:4-5
Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him.

2 Kings 11:15-16
And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” / So they seized Athaliah as she reached the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.

2 Kings 9:24
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.

Matthew 14:8-10
Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” / The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted / and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.

Mark 6:27-28
So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison. / The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.

Acts 12:2
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

Revelation 6:9-11
And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. / And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” / Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

Joshua 10:24
And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

1 Samuel 15:33
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

Psalm 149:9
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

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Afraid Arise Boy Death Draw Drawn Drew Jether Kill Oldest Rise Slay Sword Turning Young Youth
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














So he said to Jether his firstborn
In this opening phrase, we see Gideon, the judge of Israel, addressing his eldest son, Jether. The name "Jether" in Hebrew means "abundance" or "excellence," which may reflect the expectations placed upon him as the firstborn. In ancient Israelite culture, the firstborn son held a position of prominence and responsibility, often expected to follow in the footsteps of his father. This moment is significant as it highlights the passing of leadership and the weight of responsibility that comes with it.

Rise and kill them!
Gideon's command to Jether is direct and forceful. The Hebrew word for "rise" (קוּם, qum) implies action and readiness, a call to step into one's role with courage. The act of killing, especially in the context of war and justice, was not taken lightly in ancient Israel. It was often seen as a divine mandate to execute judgment on those who opposed God's people. This command also serves as a test of Jether's readiness to assume the mantle of leadership and warrior.

But the youth did not draw his sword
Here, the term "youth" (נַעַר, na'ar) indicates Jether's inexperience and perhaps his immaturity. Despite being the firstborn, he hesitates, revealing his reluctance or fear. This hesitation can be understood in the context of the gravity of taking a life, especially in a culture where honor and bravery were highly valued. It also reflects the human struggle with fear and the challenge of stepping into roles that require great courage.

because he was afraid
Fear (יָרֵא, yare) is a powerful emotion that can paralyze and prevent action. In the biblical narrative, fear is often contrasted with faith. Jether's fear highlights his humanity and the internal conflict between his duty and his emotions. This moment serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on God's strength rather than our own when faced with daunting tasks.

since he was still a youth
The repetition of Jether's youth underscores his inexperience and the expectations placed upon him. In the biblical context, youth is often associated with potential and growth, but also with a lack of wisdom and experience. This phrase invites reflection on the process of maturation and the journey from fear to faith, from inaction to action, as one grows in understanding and reliance on God.

(20) And he said unto Jether.--By the jus talionis. as well as by every other consideration of that time, Gideon, as the last survivor of all his kingly brothers, would hold himself justified in putting his captives to death. Jether also would inherit the duties of goel (Numbers 35:12; 2Samuel 2:22, &c), and Gideon desired both to train the boy to fearlessness against the enemies of Israel (Joshua 10:24-25). to give him prestige, and to add to the disgrace of the Midianite kings. Again. Gideon must only be judged by the standard and the customs of his own day. (Comp. 1Samuel 15:33, Samuel and Agag; 2Samuel 1:15, David and the Amalekite.) The name Jether is another form of Jethro and means "pre-eminence."

Verse 20. - He said unto Jether, etc. These marks of savage life are painful to contemplate in such a man as Gideon. But it is well for us to be made aware how the best and greatest men cannot rise above the manners and received maxims of their age; and it teaches us to make due allowance for the faults of uncivilised men with whom we have to do, whether Afghans, or Zulus, or others.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So he said
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Jether,
לְיֶ֣תֶר (lə·ye·ṯer)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3500: Jether -- Moses' father-in-law, also the name of several Israelites

his firstborn,
בְּכוֹר֔וֹ (bə·ḵō·w·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

“Get up
ק֖וּם (qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and kill them.”
הֲרֹ֣ג (hă·rōḡ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

But the young man
הַנַּ֤עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

did not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

draw
שָׁלַ֨ף (šā·lap̄)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8025: To pull out, up, off

his sword;
חַרְבּוֹ֙ (ḥar·bōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

he was fearful
יָרֵ֔א (yā·rê)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he was still
עוֹדֶ֖נּוּ (‘ō·w·ḏen·nū)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

a youth.
נָֽעַר׃ (nā·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer


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OT History: Judges 8:20 He said to Jether his firstborn Up (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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