The interpretation timeline

Judg 8:19

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

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Catholic · 1 Reformed

Judg 8:19 · Douay-Rheims

“He answered them: They were my brethren, the sons of my mother. As the Lord liveth, if you had saved them, I would not kill you.”

Post-Reformation c. 1650 – 1900

1849

A.D.

George Leo Haydock Catholic

1774–1849

“Kill you. They were not included in the number of the seven devoted nations, (Worthington) and the precept for destroying the Madianites no longer subsisted, Numbers xxxi. 17. (Menochius) — The laws of war permitted the Hebrews to kill their prisoners, if they thought proper. No public executioner was necessary. Samuel killed Agag, 1 Kings xv. 32. See 3 Kings ii. 25., and 2 Kings i. 15. (Calmet) — Gedeon had a mind to make his son partake in the victory, and punish these kings for an unjust murder of his relations. He would also inure him to fight against the enemies of God, &c. (Menochius)”

Source

1871

A.D.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Reformed

1871

“They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother--That is, uterine brothers; but, in all countries where polygamy prevails, "the son of my mother" implies a closeness of relationship and a warmth of affection never awakened by the looser term, "brother."”

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.