And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
And he said, 'They were my brothers, my own mother's sons. As surely as the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.'
Gideon is telling the men of Penuel that he's about to execute them because they killed his actual brothers, and he's making a solemn oath that he wouldn't harm them if they had spared his family.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Judges, Gideon was a judge raised by God to lead Israel against the Midianite oppressors, and after his victory in battle, he sought retribution from cities like Succoth that had refused to aid him. In Judges 8:19, Gideon is confronting the leaders of these cities, revealing that the Midianite kings he defeated had killed his own brothers, which fueled his demand for justice and highlighted the ancient Israelite value of family loyalty and vengeance. This episode reflects the chaotic period of the judges, where tribal alliances and personal honor played key roles in maintaining order.
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