26 The weight of the gold earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, apart from the crescent amulets, the ear pendants, and the purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and apart from the neck chains that were on their camels’ necks. 27 Gideon made it into (A)an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah; but all Israel [a]committed infidelity with it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household.

Forty Years of Peace

28 So Midian was subdued before the sons of Israel, and they did not lift up their heads anymore. And the land was undisturbed for forty years in the days of Gideon.

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 8:27 I.e., against God

26 The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels,[a] not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains(A) that were on their camels’ necks. 27 Gideon made the gold into an ephod,(B) which he placed in Ophrah,(C) his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare(D) to Gideon and his family.(E)

Gideon’s Death

28 Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head(F) again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace(G) forty years.

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 8:26 That is, about 43 pounds or about 20 kilograms