King James Version

What Does Judges 6:4 Mean?

Judges 6:4 in the King James Version says “And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenanc...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. sheep: or goat”

Judges 6:4 · KJV

Context

2

And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. prevailed: Heb. was strong

3

And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;

4

And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. sheep: or goat

5

For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

6

And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

Read Judges 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.

The Midianite-Amalekite coalition's agricultural devastation represents economic warfare—systematically destroying Israel's crops and livestock to create famine and dependence. The phrase 'destroyed the increase of the earth' (vayashchitu et-yevul ha'aretz, וַיַּשְׁחִיתוּ אֶת־יְבוּל הָאָרֶץ) indicates complete crop destruction from germination to harvest. Their reach 'till thou come unto Gaza' shows extensive operations across Israel's breadth—from Jezreel Valley to southern coastal plain. The threefold emphasis 'neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass' emphasizes totality—no livestock survived their predations.

This scorched-earth strategy aimed not at territorial conquest but at population subjugation through starvation. Midianites wanted living tribute-payers, not dead enemies or empty territories. Economic oppression proved more effective than military occupation—Israel remained nominally independent yet completely dependent on Midianite sufferance for survival. This parallels how Satan prefers enslaving believers through sin's consequences rather than obvious frontal assault—economic anxiety, health crises, relational conflicts—leaving Christians nominally faithful but functionally compromised.

Theologically, Israel's agricultural devastation resulted from covenant unfaithfulness. Deuteronomy 28 promised agricultural blessing for obedience (v. 1-14) but curse for disobedience: 'Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it' (v. 38). The Midianite raids fulfilled this curse—Israel planted but couldn't harvest. This pattern repeats throughout Scripture: sin's consequences often manifest in ordinary life circumstances (economic, health, relational) rather than dramatic divine interventions. God's discipline uses natural circumstances to drive His people to repentance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Midianite-Amalekite raids represent a new threat pattern different from previous Judges-era oppression. Rather than occupying territory (like Canaanites) or subjugating populations (like Moabites or Canaanites), these raiders conducted seasonal strikes. Archaeological evidence from this period shows destruction of agricultural installations and storage facilities, consistent with raiding patterns. Sites like Tel Haror and Tel Masos show evidence of destruction during this era.

The raids' timing—harvest season—maximized economic impact. Ancient agriculture's labor-intensive nature meant months of work could be destroyed in days. Grain, olives, and grapes required year-round cultivation, pruning, and watering, with harvest representing concentrated value. Destroying crops at harvest devastated annual food supplies, creating famine and economic collapse. Livestock theft compounded problems—losing sheep, oxen, and donkeys meant losing transportation, plowing capacity, wool, milk, and meat for entire years.

The Midianites' camel-based mobility (v. 5) gave them unprecedented strategic advantage. Camels could traverse arid regions quickly, allowing raiders to strike unexpectedly from desert bases and retreat before organized resistance mobilized. This new military technology (camel cavalry) revolutionized warfare, enabling desert peoples to threaten settled agricultural societies effectively for the first time. Israel's infantry, effective against chariot forces in mountains, couldn't counter highly mobile camel raiders.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'harvests' (blessings, fruits of labor) in your life have been 'destroyed' through sin's natural consequences?
  2. How does Satan use economic anxiety and material insecurity to enslave Christians despite nominal freedom in Christ?
  3. In what ways does God use difficult circumstances to expose spiritual compromises and drive His people to repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיַּֽחֲנ֣וּ1 of 16

“And they encamped”

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם2 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַיַּשְׁחִ֙יתוּ֙3 of 16

“against them and destroyed”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

אֶת4 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְב֣וּל5 of 16

“the increase”

H2981

produce, i.e., a crop or (figuratively) wealth

הָאָ֔רֶץ6 of 16

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עַד7 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בּֽוֹאֲךָ֖8 of 16

“till thou come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַזָּ֑ה9 of 16

“unto Gaza”

H5804

azzah, a place in palestine

וְלֹֽא10 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַשְׁאִ֤ירוּ11 of 16

“and left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

מִֽחְיָה֙12 of 16

“no sustenance”

H4241

preservation of life; hence, sustenance; also the live flesh, i.e., the quick

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל13 of 16

“for Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְשֶׂ֥ה14 of 16

“neither sheep”

H7716

a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat

וָשׁ֖וֹר15 of 16

“nor ox”

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

וַֽחֲמֽוֹר׃16 of 16

“nor ass”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 6:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 6:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 26:16Deuteronomy 28:51Micah 6:15Deuteronomy 28:33Jeremiah 49:9-10Genesis 13:10

Places in This Verse

GazaSettlement · Modern: Tell Harube · 31.50°N, 34.46°E22 verses across 12 books
View all places in Judges 6 →

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