Judges 8:13
New International Version
Gideon son of Joash then returned from the battle by the Pass of Heres.

New Living Translation
After this, Gideon returned from the battle by way of Heres Pass.

English Standard Version
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.

Berean Standard Bible
After this, Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle along the Ascent of Heres.

King James Bible
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,

New King James Version
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle, from the Ascent of Heres.

New American Standard Bible
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.

NASB 1995
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.

NASB 1977
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.

Amplified Bible
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.

Christian Standard Bible
Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by the Ascent of Heres.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by the Ascent of Heres.

American Standard Version
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

Contemporary English Version
After the battle, Gideon set out for home. As he was going through Heres Pass,

English Revised Version
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Gideon, son of Joash, returned from the battle through the Heres Pass

Good News Translation
When Gideon was returning from the battle by way of Heres Pass,

International Standard Version
Then Joash's son Gideon returned from the battle along the Heres Ascent.

Majority Standard Bible
After this, Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle along the Ascent of Heres.

NET Bible
Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by the pass of Heres.

New Heart English Bible
Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun had risen,

World English Bible
Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Gideon son of Joash turns back from the battle, at the going up of the sun,

Young's Literal Translation
And Gideon son of Joash turneth back from the battle, at the going up of the sun,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gideon son of Joash, will turn back from the war from the cliff of the sun.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And returning from the battle before the sun rising,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And returning from the war before sunrise,

New American Bible
Then Gideon, son of Joash, returned from battle by the pass of Heres.

New Revised Standard Version
When Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle at the slope of Hadas.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Gedun son of Yoash returned from war from the ascent of Khadess
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Gedeon the son of Joas returned from the battle, down from the battle of Ares.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna
12When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, Gideon pursued and captured these two kings of Midian, routing their entire army. 13After this, Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle along the Ascent of Heres. 14There he captured a young man of Succoth and interrogated him. The young man wrote down for him the names of the seventy-seven leaders and elders of Succoth.…

Cross References
Judges 7:25
They also captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian; and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. So they pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.

Judges 6:33-35
Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. / So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who blew the ram’s horn and rallied the Abiezrites behind him. / Calling them to arms, Gideon sent messengers throughout Manasseh, as well as Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, so that they came up to meet him.

Judges 7:24
Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim to say, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth-barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth-barah.

Judges 8:4-5
Then Gideon and his three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it, exhausted yet still in pursuit. / So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

Judges 8:10-12
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen. / And Gideon went up by way of the caravan route east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and he attacked their army, taking them by surprise. / When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, Gideon pursued and captured these two kings of Midian, routing their entire army.

1 Samuel 17:51-54
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. / Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. / When the Israelites returned from their pursuit of the Philistines, they plundered their camps. ...

1 Samuel 30:1-2
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

2 Samuel 8:13-14
And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. / He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

2 Kings 3:18-19
This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. / And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”

Psalm 60:12
With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.

Psalm 108:13
With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.

Isaiah 41:10-13
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. / Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing. ...

Isaiah 42:13
The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:

Matthew 12:20
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.

Luke 1:51-52
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. / He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.


Treasury of Scripture

And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,

before.

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Ascent Battle Heres Joash Jo'ash Risen Sun Turneth
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Ascent Battle Heres Joash Jo'ash Risen Sun Turneth
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














After this
This phrase indicates a continuation of events, suggesting that the actions described are part of a larger narrative. In the context of Judges, it follows Gideon's pursuit of the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna. The phrase implies a transition from one significant event to another, highlighting the ongoing nature of Gideon's mission and the unfolding of God's plan through him. It serves as a reminder of the relentless pursuit of justice and deliverance that characterizes Gideon's leadership.

Gideon son of Joash
Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is a central figure in the Book of Judges. His designation as "son of Joash" roots him in his family lineage, emphasizing the importance of heritage and identity in the biblical narrative. Gideon's account is one of transformation from a hesitant leader to a mighty warrior, chosen by God to deliver Israel from oppression. His journey reflects the theme of divine empowerment and the potential for greatness when one is obedient to God's call.

returned from the battle
The act of returning from battle signifies a moment of transition from conflict to resolution. It suggests a successful campaign, as Gideon is able to return, implying victory over his enemies. This phrase underscores the cyclical nature of the Judges' narratives, where periods of peace follow divine intervention and deliverance. It also highlights the importance of rest and reflection after the trials of warfare, a time to regroup and prepare for future challenges.

by the Ascent of Heres
The "Ascent of Heres" is a geographical reference, possibly indicating a specific route or location known to the original audience. The term "Heres" can be translated as "sun" or "sunrise," suggesting a place associated with light or a new beginning. This ascent may symbolize a spiritual or physical elevation, marking a point of transition in Gideon's journey. It serves as a metaphor for the rising hope and renewed strength that comes from trusting in God's guidance and provision.

(13) Before the sun was up.--If the rendering were certain, it would prove that he had made a night attack on Karkor; but it seems more probable that the words should be rendered "from the ascent of Heres," or "of Hechares," as in the LXX., Peshito, and Arabic. If so, it implies that he came round by some other road to attack Succoth. The word for "going up" is maaleh, as in Maaleh Ahrabbim, "the ascent of scorpions" (see Note on Judges 1:36), which is also applied to sunrise. (Genesis 19:15.) It cannot possibly mean "before sunset" (ehe die Sonne heraufgekommen war), as Luther renders it, following the Chaldee and various Rabbis. The ordinary word for "sun" is shemesh, not cheres; but the latter word occurs in various names (see on Judges 1:35; Judges 2:9), which makes it perhaps more probable that this also is the name of some place. It might, indeed, be prudent for Gideon to desist from further pursuit when the dawn revealed the paucity and exhaustion of his followers; and in poetic style (Job 9:7) cheres may mean "sun," so that here the phrase might be an archaism, as cheresah is in Judges 14:18; but the preposition used (min) cannot mean "before." Aquila renders it "from the ascent of the groves" and Symmachus "of the mountains;" but this is only due to a defective reading. . . . Verse 13. - Before the sun was up. There is a wonderful diversity in the renderings of this verse. Some of the old versions and Jewish Rabbis interpret it before sunset. Many of the best Jewish commentators, however, understand the phrase as the A.V. does - "Before the going up of the sun," i.e. before sunrise; supposing Gideon's attack on the Midianitish camp to have been a night attack, and Succoth to have been so near to Karkor that he was able to reach it by sunrise. But others say that the word here rendered sun (heres) is only used in poetry, and that the word rendered up is never used of sunrise, but, as, in the phrase "the going up of Akrabbim" (Judges 1:36), of an ascent up a hill. They therefore take heres as a proper name, and translate "from the going up of Hems." Others again, by an almost imperceptible change in the last letter, read "the mountains" instead of Heres. But the A.V. may be well defended, and gives an excellent sense. In Judges 14:18 the same word for the sun is used in the very similar phrase, "before the sun went down." In Genesis 19:15 the phrase, "the morning arose," has the verb from which the word here rendered up is derived; and a note of time here exactly suits the context. It marks the celerity of Gideon's move. ments that he was actually on his way back to Succoth at sunrise, after having routed the Midianites and taken their two kings prisoners.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After this, Gideon
גִּדְע֥וֹן (giḏ·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1439: Gideon -- a judge of Israel

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Joash
יוֹאָ֖שׁ (yō·w·’āš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3101: Joash

returned
וַיָּ֛שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the battle
הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (ham·mil·ḥā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

along the Ascent of
מִֽלְמַעֲלֵ֖ה (mil·ma·‘ă·lêh)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4608: An elevation, acclivity, platform, a rise, priority

Heres.
הֶחָֽרֶס׃ (he·ḥā·res)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2775: The itch, the sun


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OT History: Judges 8:13 Gideon the son of Joash returned (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 8:12
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