Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “You rise and fall on us; for as the man is, so is his strength.” Gideon arose, and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescents that were on their camels’ necks.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 21. Age. They beg that they may die in a more speedy and noble manner. Tacitus (Hist. iv.) observes, “it was reported that Civilis exposed some of the Roman captives to his little son, in order that he might fix his arrows and javelins in their bodies.”—Ornaments. Most interpreters understand “crescents.” The veneration of the Arabs for the moon, the celestial Venus, or Alilat, is well known. The Turks still make use of this sign, as Christians employ the cross on their standards, temples, and so forth Men and women anciently wore on their necks or forehead ornaments of the same nature, as these camels did. Isaiah 3:18. Latinus adorned his horses in the most splendid manner. Virg. Æn. vii: Aurea pectoribus demissa monilia pendent. Caligula decorated with extravagance his famous horse Incitatus, on which he designed to confer the consulate. Sueton.—In Egypt the camels are sometimes painted yellow, and hung with a variety of little bells. Vaneb.