King James Version

What Does Judges 6:5 Mean?

Judges 6:5 in the King James Version says “For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 6:5 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse emphasizes the raiders' overwhelming numbers and mobility. Coming 'with their cattle and their tents' indicates these weren't mere military raids but mobile populations—families, herds, and portable dwellings enabling extended operations. The comparison 'as grasshoppers for multitude' (ki-arbeh larov, כִּי־אַרְבֶּה לָרֹב, 'like locust for abundance') evokes devastating locust swarms that strip landscapes bare—fitting metaphor for agricultural devastation. The phrase 'without number' (ve'ein mispar, וְאֵין מִסְפָּר, 'and no number') emphasizes incalculable multitude.

The mention of camels marks revolutionary military development. Camels, domesticated around 2000 BCE in Arabia, weren't widely used militarily until around 1200-1000 BCE. Their ability to travel long distances without water, carry heavy loads, and move quickly made them ideal for desert raiding. This is Scripture's first mention of camels in military context (earlier references are patriarchal narratives, caravan trade). The Midianites' camel cavalry gave them strategic mobility Israel couldn't counter with infantry or even chariot forces unable to pursue into desert regions.

Theologically, the locust imagery connects to broader biblical symbolism. Locusts represent divine judgment (Exodus 10:4-15, Joel 1-2, Revelation 9:3-11)—natural disaster manifesting covenant curse. Yet locusts also picture restoration—'I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten' (Joel 2:25). The Midianite plague, while judgment, pointed toward eventual deliverance. This illustrates how God's discipline, though painful, serves redemptive purposes—driving His people to repentance and dependence on Him rather than self-sufficiency.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The camel's military use revolutionized ancient Near Eastern warfare. Before camels, desert regions served as barriers limiting military operations. Armies required water sources every 15-20 miles, restricting campaigns to regions with reliable wells or rivers. Camels could travel 100+ miles without water, enabling rapid strikes from desert bases inaccessible to conventional forces. This explains Midianites' tactical advantage—they could strike from Sinai or Arabian deserts, raid Israelite territory, and retreat beyond pursuit range.

Archaeological evidence confirms increased camel use during late 2nd millennium BCE. Earlier skepticism about patriarchal-era camel references (claiming anachronism) has been challenged by discoveries of camel bones and figurines from Middle Bronze Age contexts. However, widespread military camel use clearly emerged during Iron Age I (1200-1000 BCE), exactly when Judges places Midianite raids. This historical accuracy supports the text's reliability.

The Midianites' tent-dwelling lifestyle contrasted with Israelite agricultural settlements. Midianites were semi-nomadic pastoralists, herding sheep, goats, and camels across desert regions. Their mobile lifestyle enabled the raiding pattern described—entire tribal groups moving seasonally to exploit Israelite agriculture. This economic asymmetry made defending against raids difficult—Israelites couldn't abandon farms to pursue raiders into deserts, while Midianites had no fixed installations Israel could counterattack.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'locust swarms' (overwhelming circumstances) in your life expose dependence on God rather than self-sufficiency?
  2. How does recognizing difficult circumstances as divine discipline affect your response to trials?
  3. In what ways has God 'restored the years the locust ate' after seasons of discipline and repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֡י1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֵם֩2 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וּמִקְנֵיהֶ֨ם3 of 16

“with their cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

יַֽעֲל֜וּ4 of 16

“For they came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְאָֽהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם5 of 16

“and their tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ6 of 16

“and they came”

H935

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

כְדֵֽי7 of 16

“as”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

אַרְבֶּה֙8 of 16

“grasshoppers”

H697

a locust (from its rapid increase)

לָרֹ֔ב9 of 16

“for multitude”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

וְלָהֶ֥ם10 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶ֖ם11 of 16

“for both they and their camels”

H1581

a camel

אֵ֣ין12 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מִסְפָּ֑ר13 of 16

“were without number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ14 of 16

“and they came”

H935

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

בָאָ֖רֶץ15 of 16

“into the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְשַֽׁחֲתָֽהּ׃16 of 16

“to destroy”

H7843

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

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 6:5 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 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 7:12Judges 8:10Isaiah 60:6Jeremiah 49:32Jeremiah 46:23Jeremiah 49:29

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