KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
And he said to Jether his oldest son, 'Get up and kill them.' But the young man did not draw his sword because he was afraid, since he was still just a youth.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Gideon asked his young son to execute prisoners, but the boy was too scared and inexperienced to do it.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after Gideon's victory over the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna, who had killed Gideon's brothers at Tabor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was sometimes considered honorable for a victim's family member to carry out justice against those who had committed murder. Gideon was giving his firstborn son the opportunity to avenge his uncles' deaths.
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