Definition: And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, [even] threescore and seventeen men.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 8:14. It's a bit cryptic at first, but here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us about a confrontation with a group of people called the “men of Succoth.” It’s essentially saying that God sent a team to investigate these individuals and learn about them. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Judges 8:14” : This is the verse itself – it's a specific event recorded in the Book of Judges. “And caught a young man…” : This describes the action taken - someone was apprehended or captured. “…of the men of Succoth” : We know this refers to a group called the “men of Succoth.” The name “Succoth” (meaning "the valley" in Hebrew) is important – it's a specific place in Israel. It’s likely a significant location for these people. “and inquired of him…” : This shows that the person who caught the man was asking questions. “…and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, [even] threescore and seventeen men.” This is the crucial part – it’s a detailed description: “princes of Succoth” : This suggests they were a ruling group or leadership. “…and the elders thereof…” : "The elders" means older, wiser, and more experienced members of the group. “[even] threescore and seventeen men” : This is the most important part – it gives us a number! They were described as having exactly three-score and seventeen individuals. So, what does this all mean? This verse suggests that God sent a team to investigate these men of Succoth. The fact that they were asked detailed questions about them implies they were important people with a significant role in the community. The number 30+17 is a significant detail – it could represent a significant number of people or a specific status within the group. Possible Interpretations (without going into deep theological debate): A Ruling Group: They might have been leaders, priests, or important figures in the community. A Significant Threat? : The number 30+17 could be significant – perhaps it represented a threshold, a level of power, or something that needed to be addressed. In short, this verse is a snapshot of a situation where God initiated an investigation into a group of people in Succoth. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible passage? Discuss the significance of the place "Succoth"? Explore the possible meaning behind the number 30+17?