Lifted up their heads no more, i.e. recovered not their former strength or courage, so as to conquer or oppress others, as they had done. Forty years, i.e. to the fortieth year, from the beginning of the Midianitish oppression: see on Judges 3:11. In the days of Gideon, i.e. as long as Gideon lived.
Related Commentaries of Judges 8:28
Judges 8:28
28 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.