Judges 8:22-23
שופטים ח׳:כ״ב-כ״ג
Judges 8:22-23
The Israelites ask Gideon to rule over them and establish a dynasty, but Gideon refuses, saying that Hashem will rule over them. This passage is central for discussions of political leadership and the rejection of monarchy-like power in favor of divine sovereignty.
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶל־גִּדְע֔וֹן מְשָׁל־בָּ֙נוּ֙ גַּם־אַתָּ֔ה גַּם־בִּנְךָ֖ גַּ֣ם בֶּן־בְּנֶ֑ךָ כִּ֥י הוֹשַׁעְתָּ֖נוּ מִיַּ֥ד מִדְיָֽן׃ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ גִּדְע֔וֹן לֹֽא־אֶמְשֹׁ֤ל אֲנִי֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וְלֹא־יִמְשֹׁ֥ל בְּנִ֖י בָּכֶ֑ם יְהֹוָ֖ה יִמְשֹׁ֥ל בָּכֶֽם׃
Then those [who fought] on Israel’s side said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son, and your grandson as well; for you have saved us from the Midianites.” But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you myself, nor shall my son rule over you; GOD alone shall rule over you.”