The interpretation timeline

Judg 8:18

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Jewish · 1 Catholic · 1 Reformed

Judg 8:18 · Douay-Rheims
“And he said to Zebee and Salmana: What manner of men were they whom you slew in Thabor? They answered: They were like thee, and one of them as the son of a king.”
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1105
A.D.
Rashi Jewish
1040–1105
“Singular, of princely appearance. Yonasan explains that one of them was of princely appearance. However, this may be interpreted as, "They were exactly like you, all of singular appearance, for they were of princely appearance."”
744 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Post-Reformation c. 1650 – 1900
1849
A.D.
1774–1849
“Thabor. Some of the relations or brothers of Gedeon had retired thither, as to a place of safety; and the latter wished to know what was become of them, that he might redeem them, if alive. (Calmet) — King. They answer with flattery, insinuating that Gedeon had the air of a king. (Menochius)”
1871
A.D.
1871
“Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor?--This was one of the countless atrocities which the Midianite chiefs had perpetrated during their seven years' lawless occupancy. It is noticed now for the first time when their fate was about to be determined. each one resembled the children of a king--An Orientalism for great beauty, majesty of appearance, uncommon strength, and grandeur of form.”
Source
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.