About Judges

Judges describes the dark period between Joshua and Samuel, showing repeated cycles of sin, oppression, crying out, and deliverance.

Author: Samuel (traditionally)Written: c. 1050-1000 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 25
Cycle of SinDeliveranceApostasyGod's GraceHuman FailureLeadership

King James Version

Judges 7

25 verses with commentary

Gideon's Army Reduced

Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

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KJV Study Commentary

Jerubbaal (Gideon) and his army camp at the spring of Harod, while the Midianites camp in the valley north of them by the hill of Moreh. The geographical positioning is strategic—Israel holds high ground near a water source while the enemy masses in the valley below. The name Harod (<em>charod</em>, חֲרֹד) derives from <em>charad</em> (חָרַד, 'to tremble'), foreshadowing verse 3's test. That Gideo...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **Jerubbaal, who is Gideon.**—Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Esther, Daniel, St. Paul, &c, are other instances of Scriptural characters who have two names. **Beside.**—Rather, *above. *It would have been foolish and dangerous to encamp on the plain. **The well of Harod.**—The name “Harod” means “trembling,” with an obvious allusion to the timidity of the people (*chareed, *Judges 7:3), to whic...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.</strong><br><br>God's counterintuitive strategy—reducing Gideon's army—directly addresses human pride. The phrase 'too many' (<em>rav ha'am</em>, רַב הָעָם) reverses normal military logic valu...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **The people that are with thee are too many for me.**—This must have put the faith of Gideon to a severe trial, since the Midianites were 135,000 in number (Judges 8:10), and Gideon’s forces only 32,000 (Judges 7:4). **Lest Israel vaunt themselves.**—See Deuteronomy 8:17.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 24 Jos 24:1. Joshua Assembling the Tribes. **1. Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem--**Another and final opportunity of dissuading the people against idolatry is here described as taken by the aged leader, whose solicitude on this account arose from his knowledge of the extreme readiness of the people to conform to the manners of the surrounding nations. This address was m...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.

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KJV Study Commentary

God commands Gideon to dismiss anyone who is 'fearful and afraid' (<em>yare vechared</em>, יָרֵא וְחָרֵד). This echoes Deuteronomy 20:8's provision allowing fearful soldiers to return home lest they discourage others. The result: 22,000 depart, leaving only 10,000. This massive reduction (68% loss) demonstrates that many who initially responded lacked genuine faith for combat. The Hebrew <em>yashu...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Whosoever is fearful and afraid.**—This proclamation is in exact accordance with Deuteronomy 20:8 (and the other general directions in that chapter). It is there founded on the psychological observation that cowardice is exceedingly contagious, so that the presence of timid men in an army is a source of direct danger. The same rule was rigidly observed by the faithful Judas Maccabæus (1 Macc...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 24:2-13. Relates God's Benefits. **2. Joshua said unto all the people--**His address briefly recapitulated the principal proofs of the divine goodness to Israel from the call of Abraham to their happy establishment in the land of promise; it showed them that they were indebted for their national existence as well as their peculiar privileges, not to any merits of their own, but to the free gr...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

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KJV Study Commentary

Despite losing 68% of troops, God says the army is still too large: 'The people are yet too many.' This shocking statement reveals God's purpose—demonstrating His power, not Israel's. Ten thousand faithful warriors could plausibly defeat 135,000 through superior strategy or morale, allowing Israel to claim credit. God wants the victory so obviously miraculous that only divine intervention explains...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **The people are yet too many.**—A fresh trial of faith; but small numbers were essential for the method of victory by which God intended that the deliverance should be achieved. **Unto the water.**—i.e., to the spring of Harod. **I will try them.**—The LXX. render it (*Cod. Vat.*)*, *“I will *purge *them,” as gold from dross, and this is the literal sense of the word (Isaiah 1:25; Isaiah 48:1...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan--**It was an irresistible impulse of divine grace which led the patriarch to leave his country and relatives, to migrate to Canaan, and live a "stranger and pilgrim" in that land.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

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KJV Study Commentary

God instructs Gideon to observe how soldiers drink from the water: 'every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.' The test distinguishes drinking methods—lapping water quickly with hands to mouth while standing alert versus kneeling to drink directly from the water. The dog compari...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue.**—Josephus (*Antt. v.* 6, § 4) says that Gideon led them down to the spring in the fiercest heat of the noonday, and that he judged those to be the bravest who flung themselves down and drank, and those to be the cowards who lapped the water hastily and tumultuously. Theodoret also thinks that the Divine aid was shown by the fact that the ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. I gave unto Esau mount Seir--**(See on Ge 36:8). In order that he might be no obstacle to Jacob and his posterity being the exclusive heirs of Canaan.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

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KJV Study Commentary

The test results: 300 lapped water with hands to mouth, while all the rest knelt to drink. This tiny fraction—3% of the already-reduced army, less than 1% of the original 32,000—will constitute Gideon's fighting force. The Hebrew specifies 'the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth' emphasizing the precise method. That so few maintained vigilance while drinking reveals how ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **That lapped, putting their hand to their mouth.**—Literally, *licked with their hand to their mouth.* **All the rest of the people**—*i.e., *9,700 men.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

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KJV Study Commentary

God's reduction of Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men stands as one of Scripture's most dramatic demonstrations of divine power perfected in human weakness. The phrase "By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you" (<em>bishlosh meot ha'ish hamaleqim oshia etkhem</em>) emphasizes God's sovereign choice of unlikely means to achieve victory. The Hebrew verb <em>yoshia</em> (יוֹשִׁיעַ, "sav...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **Every man unto his place.**—i.e., home, as in Numbers 24:11.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

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KJV Study Commentary

After the 9,700 are sent home to their tents, the 300 retain the people's provisions and trumpets. This logistical detail is strategically significant—the 300 now possess food supplies for the entire original army and 300 trumpets (or potentially 10,000 if all were collected). The abundance of supplies and trumpets will enable the psychological warfare strategy revealed in verses 16-22. The statem...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets.**—The E.V. here differs from most of the ancient versions (*e.g., *the LXX., the Chaldee, the Vulgate, &c.), which render it, “And they (the 300) took the provisions and trumpets of the people (the 9,700) in their hands.” This is also the explanation of Rabbi Kimchi, Levi Ben Gerson, &c. Provisions would be scarce in the neighbou...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline Gideon's army reduced.(1-8) Gideon is encouraged.(9-15) The defeat of the Midianites.(16-22) The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.(23-25) **Verses 1-8** God provides that the praise of victory may be wholly to himself, by appointing only three hundred men to be employed. Activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for help in our lawful under...
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The Dream of the Barley Loaf

And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.

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KJV Study Commentary

That same night, God commands Gideon to attack the enemy camp: 'Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.' The present perfect 'I have delivered' (<em>netativ</em>, נְתַתִּיו) declares the victory already accomplished in divine decree, though not yet in human experience. This is God's first direct promise of victory—previous confirmations answered Gideon's reques...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **I have delivered it into thine hand.**—Comp. Judges 4:14.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-15** The dream seemed to have little meaning in it; but the interpretation evidently proved the whole to be from the Lord, and discovered that the name of Gideon had filled the Midianites with terror. Gideon took this as a sure pledge of success; without delay he worshipped and praised God, and returned with confidence to his three hundred men. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, ...
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But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:

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KJV Study Commentary

God knows Gideon still harbors fear: 'But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host.' This gracious accommodation reveals God's perfect knowledge of human hearts and His patience with weakness. Rather than rebuking Gideon's lingering fear or demanding blind obedience, God provides a way to strengthen Gideon's courage through reconnaissance. The offer to take Phurah ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **To go down.**—If thou fear to make the attack at once, without still further encouragement. Let it be borne in mind that the courage required by Gideon and his men was in many respects far beyond that of the much more vaunted 300 at Thermopylæ—(1) because they were to *attack, *not to defend; (2) because they were to attack a host in the plain, not to hold a narrow valley; (3) because they ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-15** The dream seemed to have little meaning in it; but the interpretation evidently proved the whole to be from the Lord, and discovered that the name of Gideon had filled the Midianites with terror. Gideon took this as a sure pledge of success; without delay he worshipped and praised God, and returned with confidence to his three hundred men. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, ...
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And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host. armed men: or, ranks by five

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KJV Study Commentary

Gideon and Phurah descend to the 'armed men that were in the host'—literally the 'extremity of the armed men' (<em>qetseh hachamushim</em>, קְצֵה הַחֲמֻשִׁים), suggesting they approached the outer perimeter where guards were posted. This was the most dangerous position—nearest to sentries and fighting men. Their willingness to approach this close demonstrates growing courage despite fear. The posi...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11)**And thou shalt hear what they say.**—This was the kind of omen known by the Jews as the Bath Kol, or “Daughter of a Voice.” For a similar instance see 1Samuel 14:6 (Jonathan and his armour-bearer). The word is used in slightly different senses. Sometimes it means a voice from heaven (Matthew 3:17, &c): such voices from heaven are described in the Talmud; sometimes it means the first chance w...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-15** The dream seemed to have little meaning in it; but the interpretation evidently proved the whole to be from the Lord, and discovered that the name of Gideon had filled the Midianites with terror. Gideon took this as a sure pledge of success; without delay he worshipped and praised God, and returned with confidence to his three hundred men. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, ...
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And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

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KJV Study Commentary

The overwhelming scope of the enemy force is described: Midianites, Amalekites, and all the eastern peoples settled in the valley 'like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea shore for multitude.' The grasshopper comparison evokes Israel's fearful spies describing themselves before the Canaanites (Numbers 13:33)—ironic reversal as now the enemies a...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Like grasshoppers.**—Comp. Judges 6:5; Numbers 22:4-5. **Their camels.**—Which constitute the chief wealth of Arab tribes. “The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah” (Isaiah 60:6). **As the sand.**—See Joshua 11:4, and frequently in the Bible. (See Genesis 22:17; Isaiah 48:19, &c.)

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-15** The dream seemed to have little meaning in it; but the interpretation evidently proved the whole to be from the Lord, and discovered that the name of Gideon had filled the Midianites with terror. Gideon took this as a sure pledge of success; without delay he worshipped and praised God, and returned with confidence to his three hundred men. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, ...
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And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

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KJV Study Commentary

Providentially, Gideon arrives precisely when a Midianite soldier is telling his dream to a companion: 'Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.' The dream's imagery is rich with meaning—barley bread (the poorest grain, eaten by Israel's poor) represents I...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **Behold, I dreamed a dream.**—Since dreams, no less than the Bath Kol, were recognised channels for Divine intimations (Genesis 41:12; Numbers 12:6; 1Samuel 28:6; Joel 2:28, &c.), Gideon would feel doubly assured. **A cake.**—The Hebrew word *tsalol *(or *tselil *in the Keri, or margin) is a word which occurs nowhere else. Rabbis Kimchi and Tanchun derive it from *tsalal, *“he tinkled” (as i...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. I sent the hornet before you--**a particular species of wasp which swarms in warm countries and sometimes assumes the scourging character of a plague; or, as many think, it is a figurative expression for uncontrollable terror (see on Ex 23:28).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-15** The dream seemed to have little meaning in it; but the interpretation evidently proved the whole to be from the Lord, and discovered that the name of Gideon had filled the Midianites with terror. Gideon took this as a sure pledge of success; without delay he worshipped and praised God, and returned with confidence to his three hundred men. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, ...
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And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.

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KJV Study Commentary

The companion immediately interprets the dream: 'This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.' The interpretation's specificity is remarkable—not merely 'Israel will win' but naming Gideon specifically and attributing victory to divine agency ('God delivered'). That pagans recognize Yahweh's power an...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon.**—The sort of dread which revealed itself by this instant interpretation of the dream shows that Israel Was formidable even in its depression, doubtless because the nations around were well aware of the Divine aid by which they had so often struck terror into their enemies. The fact that this Bath Kol echoed the promise which Gideon had already...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-15** The dream seemed to have little meaning in it; but the interpretation evidently proved the whole to be from the Lord, and discovered that the name of Gideon had filled the Midianites with terror. Gideon took this as a sure pledge of success; without delay he worshipped and praised God, and returned with confidence to his three hundred men. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, ...
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And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. interpretation: Heb. breaking

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KJV Study Commentary

Hearing this providential dream and interpretation, Gideon worships: 'he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.' His worship response demonstrates transformed faith—from fearful thresher requesting signs to confident leader worshiping before battle. The Hebrew <em>vayishtachu</em> (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ, 'and he wo...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **The interpretation thereof.**—Literally, *its breaking. *The word is a metaphor from breaking a nut—*enucleation.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-15** The dream seemed to have little meaning in it; but the interpretation evidently proved the whole to be from the Lord, and discovered that the name of Gideon had filled the Midianites with terror. Gideon took this as a sure pledge of success; without delay he worshipped and praised God, and returned with confidence to his three hundred men. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, ...
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The Victory Over Midian

And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. a trumpet: Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them lamps: or, firebrands, or, torches

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KJV Study Commentary

Gideon divides the 300 into three companies and equips each man with a trumpet and an empty pitcher with torch inside. This unconventional armament—no swords, spears, or shields mentioned—reveals the coming strategy's psychological nature. Three companies allowed coordinated attacks from multiple directions, creating impression of encirclement. The empty pitchers concealing torches enabled simulta...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Into three companies.**—See Judges 9:43. This division of the attacking force was a common stratagem. We find it in Job 1:17—“the Chaldæans made out three bands “—and it was adopted by Saul against the Ammonites (1Samuel 11:11), and by David against Absalom (2Samuel 18:2). (Comp. Genesis 14:15.) **A trumpet.**—Hearing the sound of three hundred rams’ horns, the Midianites would naturally su...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 16-22** This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co 4:6, 7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a bar...
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And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.

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KJV Study Commentary

Gideon instructs his men: 'Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.' Leadership by example—'look on me'—demonstrates authentic authority. Gideon won't send his men where he won't go first. His command to watch him and imitate his actions ensured coordinated timing despite lack of modern communications. This princip...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(17) **Look on me.**—He showed all the three hundred the way in which he wished them, at a given signal, to break the pitchers, wave the torches, and shout. The signal would be given by the one hundred whom he himself headed.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 16-22** This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co 4:6, 7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a bar...
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When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

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KJV Study Commentary

Gideon continues his instructions: 'When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.' The battle cry 'The sword of the LORD and of Gideon' attributes victory to divine power primarily (the LORD first) while acknowledging human instrumentality (Gideon second). This order reflects prop...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18) **The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.**—Literally, *for Jehovah and for Gideon *(LXX., Τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ τῷ Γεδεων; Vulg., *clangite et conclamate Domino et Gedeoni*)*, *but the particle *le *often has the meaning *of*, as in “a Psalm to David,” which is found at the beginning of many Psalms. Our version here understands the word “sword” (*chereb*) from Judges 6:20, as is also done in some MSS. ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 16-22** This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co 4:6, 7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a bar...
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So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

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KJV Study Commentary

The timing was precise: 'the beginning of the middle watch' (around midnight), just after the guard change. The freshly posted sentries would be most alert but also most isolated from the sleeping main camp. Gideon's company approached the camp edge, then 'blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.' The simultaneous actions—trumpet blasts and shattering pottery revealing t...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) **The middle watch.**—The Jews anciently divided the night, from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M., into three watches (Exodus 14:24; 1Samuel 11:11). The subsequent division into four watches of three hours each was borrowed from the Romans (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48). At the beginning of the middle watch—*i.e., *soon after 10 at night—would be the time at which the host would be buried in their first sleep. *...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 16-22** This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co 4:6, 7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a bar...
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And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

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KJV Study Commentary

All three companies executed the plan simultaneously: 'the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.' The coordination across separated units surrounding the camp demonstrated the discipline of Gideon's 300. Holding torches in left han...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **The trumpets in their right hands . . .**—Thus they were comparatively defenceless, though, if they had any armour at all, doubtless they could still hold the shield on the left arm, while the sword was girded on the thigh. The effect of the sudden crash and glare and shout upon the vast unwieldy host of the Bedouins may be imagined. Startled from sleep in a camp which, like Oriental camps,...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 16-22** This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co 4:6, 7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a bar...
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And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled .

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KJV Study Commentary

The 300 maintained their positions: 'they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.' The Israelites didn't even need to fight—they simply stood with their torches and trumpets while the enemy self-destructed. The Midianite camp erupted in chaos—'ran, and cried, and fled'—describing panic-driven confusion. The threefold verbs emphasize the complet...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(21) **Ran, and cried, and fled.**—They ran about to discover the meaning of the trumpet-blast. Their “cries” were either the wail of despair (Vulg., *ululantes*)*, *or a number of confused shouts and words of command (LXX., *esêmainan*)*; *their flight would be a natural result of the hopeless terror and confusion which prevailed. The word, however, in the Kethibh, or written text, is *yanîsoo, *...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 16-22** This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co 4:6, 7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a bar...
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And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. in: or, toward border: Heb. lip

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KJV Study Commentary

While the 300 continued blowing trumpets, 'the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host.' God induced the Midianites to attack each other in the darkness and confusion—friendly fire on massive scale. The fleeing remnant headed east toward their homelands: 'unto Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.' These place names trace the...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(22) **Blew the trumpets.**—They continued to blow incessantly, to add to the panic. **The Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow.**—We have an exact parallel to this in the mutual slaughter of the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites, when stricken with a similar panic before the army of Jehoshaphat, in 2Chronicles 20:21-22; and on a smaller scale in the camp of the Philistines at Gibeah (1 S...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 16-22** This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co 4:6, 7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a bar...
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And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

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KJV Study Commentary

Following the initial rout, 'the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.' The previously dismissed soldiers (or other tribal members) now join the chase. This is human nature—willing to join victorious pursuit but not to risk dangerous initial assault. Yet God graciously allows their participation in c...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(23) **Out of Naphtali.**—Doubtless these pursuers were some of those who had left Gideon’s camp before the victory. Those of Naphtali and Asher might pursue the flying Midianites northwards (if Beth-shittah is the same Shultah), and those of Manasseh might pursue those who fled southwards to the lower fords.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 23-25** Two chief commanders of the host of Midian were taken and slain by the men of Ephraim. It were to be wished that we all did as these did, and that where help is needed, that it were willingly and readily performed by another. And that if there were any excellent and profitable matter begun, we were willing to have fellow-labourers to the finishing and perfecting the same, and ...
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And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.

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KJV Study Commentary

Gideon sends messengers throughout Ephraim's hill country, calling them to seize the Jordan River fords and cut off Midianite retreat. The strategic instruction: 'Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.' Ephraim responds, seizing the water crossing points and capturing two Midianite princes, Oreb ('raven') and Zeeb ('wolf'). Their execution at ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(24) **Throughout all mount Ephraim.**—He had not ventured to summon these haughty clansmen before his victory was assured. **Take before them the waters.**—i.e., “intercept their flight unto Beth-barah and Jordan.” The “waters” are probably the marshes formed by streams which flow from the watershed of the hills of Ephraim into the Jordan. **Beth-barah.**—“House of the waste,” not, as Jerome says...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 23-25** Two chief commanders of the host of Midian were taken and slain by the men of Ephraim. It were to be wished that we all did as these did, and that where help is needed, that it were willingly and readily performed by another. And that if there were any excellent and profitable matter begun, we were willing to have fellow-labourers to the finishing and perfecting the same, and ...
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And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

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KJV Study Commentary

The chapter concludes with Ephraimite complaint: they 'pursued after the Midianites' and captured the princes Oreb and Zeeb, then 'brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.' This detail sets up chapter 8's conflict where Ephraim angrily questions why they weren't summoned initially (8:1). Their pride in capturing the princes and subsequent offense at their secondary ro...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(25) **Oreb and Zeeb.**—The names mean “raven” and “wolf”: but these are common names for warriors among rude tribes, and there is no reason to look on them as names given in scorn by the Israelites. Such names are common among nomads. The capture of these two powerful sheykhs was the result of the second part of the battle, and was not accomplished without a terrible slaughter. See Psalm 73:9-12,...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14-28. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth--**After having enumerated so many grounds for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 23-25** Two chief commanders of the host of Midian were taken and slain by the men of Ephraim. It were to be wished that we all did as these did, and that where help is needed, that it were willingly and readily performed by another. And that if there were any excellent and profitable matter begun, we were willing to have fellow-labourers to the finishing and perfecting the same, and ...
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