New American Standard Bible 1995

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Judges

Note Journal Prayer

8

:

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.

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Hebrew: Transliteration:
So Midian a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his desc. and the region where they settled Noun H4080 מִדְיָ֗ן mid·yan
Analysis:
Read more about: So, Midian
was subdued to be humble Verb H3665 וַיִּכָּנַ֣ע vai·yik·ka·na
before face, faces Noun H6440 לִפְנֵי֙ lif·nei
the sons son Noun H1121 בְּנֵ֣י be·nei
of Israel, "God strives," another name of Jacob and his desc. Noun H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל yis·ra·'el,
Analysis:
Read more about: Israel
and they did not lift to lift, carry, take Verb H5375 לָשֵׂ֣את la·set
up their heads head Noun H7218 רֹאשָׁ֑ם ro·sham;
anymore. to add Verb H3254 יָסְפ֖וּ ya·se·fu
And the land earth, land Noun H776 הָאָ֛רֶץ ha·'a·retz
was undisturbed to be quiet or undisturbed Verb H8252 וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט vat·tish·kot
for forty forty Noun H705 אַרְבָּעִ֥ים ar·ba·'im
Analysis:

Forty: Transition or change

Often people will speak of the number forty as a generational number. There is no evidence for such an interpretation from the Scripture. The number 40 expresses a change or transition. The examples for such a view are seen throughout both the Old and New Covenants. 

  • It rained for 40 days in the days of Noah (see Genesis 7:12). These rains brought about a transition; HaShem would begin the world again with the family of Noah. 
  • Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (see Exodus 34:28). Although this was the second time Moses went up to the mountain, it was this time that the Law was actually given to the Children of Israel and a transition was made to Israel being commanded to observe the Law.
  • Yeshua was tested in the mountains of Judah for 40 days and 40 nights (see Matthew 4:2) and afterwards He began His ministry. Hence, a transition was made from when Yeshua did not minister to the time when He began to fulfill His Father's will in a formal way.
  • After the resurrection, Yeshua appeared for 40 days (Acts 1:3) and He ascended into the heavens. Yeshua's earthly ministry had finished and there was a transition to His disciples carrying on His work.
  • In the account of Absalom, the reader is told that at the end of 40 years (see 2 Samuel 15:7), Absalom requested permission to go to Hebron from his father. Although he said that he wanted to pay his vows, this was said so he could depart and begin his rebellion against David, his father. Why is 40 years mentioned? To what does the 40 years refer? Some commentaries say the 40 years was from when Saul began the monarchy. Whether this is true or not is undetermined. However, what is for sure is that there was a transition in the leadership of Israel. The number 40 appears in verse 7 to assist the reader in identifying this change in leadership.

Numerous other examples could be provided, but these few sufficiently demonstrate the meaning and use of the number 40 in the Scriptures. 

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years a year Noun H8141 שָׁנָ֖ה sha·nah
in the days day Noun H3117 בִּימֵ֥י bi·mei
of Gideon. a judge of Isr. Noun H1439 גִדְעֹֽון׃ gid·'o·vn.

Locations

Israel

ISRAEL, KINGDOM OF" I. THE FIRST PERIOD1. The Two Kingdoms2. The Ist Dynasty3. The IInd Dynasty4. Civil WarII. PERIOD OF THE SYRIAN WARS1. The IIIrd Dynasty2. World-Politics3. Battle of Karkar4. Loss of Territory5. Reform of Religion6. Revolution7. The IVth Dynasty8. Renewed Prosperity9. AnarchyIII. DECLINE AND FALL1. Loss of Independence2. Decline3. Extinct... View Details

Midian

MIDIAN; MIDIANITESmid'-i-an, mid'-i-an-its (midhyan, midhyanim; Madiam, Madienaioi):1. The See d of Abraham to the Time of the Judges:Midian was a son of Abraham by his concubine Keturah. To him were born 5 sons, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah (Genesis 25:2, 4 1 Chronicles 1:32 f). Bearing gifts from Abraham, he and his brothers, each with his own ho... View Details

Parallel Verses

Removed text
Added text
New American Standard Bible 1995 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.
King James Bible So Thus was Midian was subdued before the sons children of Israel, and so that they did not lift lifted up their heads anymore. no more. And the land country was undisturbed for in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
Hebrew Greek English 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.