What is the meaning of Judges 8:6?

But the leaders of Succoth asked,

• Succoth was an Israelite town east of the Jordan (Joshua 13:27). Its leaders, fellow covenant people, owed support to Gideon, whom God had clearly raised up (Judges 6:14).

• Their question exposes a heart problem: reluctance to stand with God’s deliverer when risk is involved, echoing Nabal’s refusal to aid David (1 Samuel 25:10-11) and contrasting with the faith of Rahab, who sided with Israel before victory was certain (Joshua 2:9-11).

• Scripture repeatedly commends helping the weary in God’s service—see James 2:15-16 and 1 John 3:17. Succoth’s leaders ignored that call.

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“Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession,

• The phrase “hands … in your possession” means captured and subdued. Gideon had routed Midian’s main force (Judges 7:22-25) and was pursuing the last two kings (Judges 8:4). Faith should have read the signs of God’s victory, yet the leaders demanded proof before acting.

• Their doubt mirrors the cynicism of the officer who scoffed at Elisha’s prophecy (2 Kings 7:2) and the unbelief of Thomas before seeing the risen Christ (John 20:25).

• Gideon, listed among the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:32-34), trusted God’s promise; Succoth trusted only visible results.

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that we should give bread to your army?”

• Bread was a simple, tangible need. Refusing it broke the basic duty of hospitality (Deuteronomy 23:4) and the command to support those fighting the Lord’s battles (Numbers 31:27).

• Their self-preservation trumped brotherly love, opposite of Jesus’ teaching: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40).

• Consequences followed: Gideon later disciplined Succoth’s leaders with desert thorns (Judges 8:16), illustrating Galatians 6:7—“God is not mocked; a man reaps what he sows.”

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summary

Succoth’s leaders knew Gideon’s divine mandate yet withheld help until victory was guaranteed. Their question reveals fear, unbelief, and selfishness. Scripture contrasts their stance with the faith that acts on God’s word before seeing results, the love that meets practical needs, and the blessing that follows courageously aligning with the Lord’s work.