Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 8:17
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
17. Gideon’s revenge strikes us as vindictive. In return for some jeering words he treated these towns, which no doubt contained many of his own countrymen, with a barbarity which is altogether absent from his execution of the Midianite kings, who had murdered his brothers and plundered his home. We must allow for the rough and passionate temper of the age, and for the exasperating lack of patriotism in the two towns; cf. Jdg 5:23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The men of the city – Perhaps the rulers; who, it is likely, had possession of the tower or citadel, and so could tyrannize over the people. Gideon killed the great men, and beat down their towers, but did not injure the inhabitants.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And he beat down the tower of Penuel,…. As he threatened he would, Jud 8:9 whether this was before or after he had chastised the elders of Succoth, is not clear; one would think by the course he steered going from Succoth to Penuel, as he went, he should come to Penuel first at his return; however, he demolished their tower in which they trusted:
and slew the men of the city; perhaps they might, as Kimchi conjectures, resist when he went about to beat down their tower; on which a fray might ensue, in which they were slain; or they might upon his approach, sensible of the offence they had given him, fly to their tower for safety, and were killed in it when that was beaten down about them. In what manner this was done is not said; no doubt they had instruments in those days for demolishing such edifices.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(17) Beat down the tower.The importance of the place led to its re-fortification by Jeroboam (1Ki. 12:25).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. Tower of Penuel Penuel seems to have been an important stronghold commanding the ordinary route of travel to the far East; hence this tower, which may have served the double purpose of a watchtower and a fortress.
Slew the men The men of Penuel seem to have heard of Gideon’s dealing with the elders of Succoth, and had the folly to resist him. Hence their punishment with death, while the men of Succoth were only scourged. Some have thought the punishment of the men of Penuel and Succoth was much greater than the offence. But, according to the theocratic spirit of that age, their offence could only be construed as treachery of heart and open contempt towards a divinely chosen judge and conqueror, and, by consequence, contempt of Jehovah himself, who was leading Israel on to victory; and in the Hebrew mind no punishment was too severe for such a crime against Jehovah and his people.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And he broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.’
Penuel was a fortified city and thus had less excuse for their cowardice and breach of covenant, so he destroyed their fortifications and slew their chief men, ‘the men of the city’. This latter interpretation is probable because he was clearly carefully meting out blame to those who were blameworthy. However it may be that the city defended itself against him and he thus had to deal with all in fierce battle.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 8:17 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
Ver. 17. And he beat down the tower of Penuel. ] Which Jeroboam rebuilt and made it a garrison. 1Ki 12:25
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 8:9, 1Ki 12:25
Reciprocal: Gen 32:30 – Peniel 1Ch 20:3 – with saws