So Gideon told the men of Penuel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower!”
Parallel translations
- WEB He spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”
- KJV And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
- NKJV So he also spoke to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come back in peace, I will tear down this tower!”
- NASB So he said also to the men of Penuel, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower.”
- NLT So he said to the people of Peniel, “After I return in victory, I will tear down this tower.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Gideon warns Penuel he will tear down their tower when he returns victorious.
Overview
The tower symbolized Penuel's pride and presumed security, in which they trusted instead of aiding God's cause. Gideon's promised demolition exposes the folly of such misplaced confidence. His assurance of returning 'in peace' again reflects faith that God will grant the victory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- 1 Kgs 22:27–28and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”
- Judg 8:17He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Israel's cycle of sin and rescue through flawed deliverers cries out for a Savior who never fails — the true and final Judge and Deliverer who saves his people not for a season but forever.
How Judges 8:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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