Judges 8:25

And they answered, We will willingly giue them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein, euery man the earerings of his pray.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

They said, "We will surely give {them.} So they spread out a garment, and every one of them threw an earring there from his spoil."
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the ear-rings of his spoil.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And they gave answer, We will gladly give them. So they put down a robe, every man dropping into it the ear-rings he had taken.
- Basic English Bible

And they said, We will willingly give [them]. And they spread a garment, and cast therein every man the earrings of his booty.
- Darby Bible

And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and cast into it every man the ear-rings of his prey.
- Webster's Bible

They answered, "We will willingly give them." They spread a garment, and every man threw the earrings of his spoil into it.
- World English Bible

And they say, `We certainly give;' and they spread out the garment, and cast thither each the ring of his prey;
- Youngs Literal Bible

And they answered: 'We will willingly give them.' And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the ear-rings of his spoil.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Judges 8:25

8:23 I will not rule - As a king. The Lord shall rule - In a special manner, as he hath hitherto done, by judges, whom God particularly appointed and directed, even by Urim and Thummim, and assisted upon all occasions; whereas Kings had only a general dependance upon God.

8:24 Ishmaelites - A mixture of people all called by one general name, Ishmaelites or Arabians, who used to wear ear - rings; but the greatest, and the ruling part of them were Midianites.

8:27 Thereof - Not of all of it; for then it would have been too heavy for use; but of part of it, the rest being probably employed about other things appertaining to it; which elsewhere are comprehended under the name of the ephod, as chap.#17:5|. Put it - Not as a monument of the victory, for such monuments were neither proper nor usual; but for religious use, for which alone the ephod was appointed. The case seems to be this; Gideon having by God's command erected an altar in his own city, Ophrah, ch.#6:24|, for an extraordinary time and occasion, thought it might be continued for ordinary use; and therefore as he intended to procure priests, so he designed to make priestly garments, and especially an ephod, which was the chief and most costly; which besides its use in sacred ministrations, was also the instrument by which the mind of God was enquired and discovered, #1Sam 26:6|,9, and it might seen necessary for the judge to have this at hand, that he might consult with God upon all occasions. Went a whoring - Committed idolatry with it; or went thither to enquire the will of God; whereby they were drawn from the true ephod, instituted by God for this end, which was to be worn by the high - priest only. A snare - An occasion of sin and ruin to him and his, as the next chapter sheweth. Though Gideon was a good man, and did this with an honest mind, and a desire to set up religion in his own city and family; yet here seem to be many sins in it; Superstition and will - worship, worshipping God by a device of his own, which was expressly forbidden. Presumption, in wearing or causing other priests to wear this kind of ephod, which was peculiar to the high - priest. Transgression of a plain command, of worshipping God ordinarily but at one place, and one altar, #Deut 12:5|,11,14. Making a division among the people. Laying a stumbling - block, or an occasion of idolatry before that people, whom he knew to be too prone to it.