King James Version

What Does Judges 7:11 Mean?

Judges 7:11 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went h...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Judges 7:11 · KJV

Context

9

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.

10

But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:

11

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

12

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.

13

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.

Read Judges 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Gideon and Phurah descend to the 'armed men that were in the host'—literally the 'extremity of the armed men' (qetseh hachamushim, 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 positioning sets up the providentially-timed dream conversation they're about to overhear.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Military camps in the ancient Near East arranged forces with elite troops or guards on the perimeter for security. The 'armed men' were likely the professional warriors or best-equipped soldiers rather than the general mass of raiders. Camp perimeters posted watches through the night in shifts, with guards responsible for detecting approaching enemies. That Gideon could approach close enough to overhear conversation suggests either inadequate security or divine blinding of the guards.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Gideon's obedience despite fear demonstrate that courage isn't absence of fear but action despite it?
  2. What does approaching the enemy's strongest position teach about confronting spiritual battles at their source rather than peripherally?
  3. How does having a faithful companion (Phurah) parallel the principle of going two-by-two in ministry (Luke 10:1, Mark 6:7)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֙1 of 17

“And thou shalt hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מַה2 of 17
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ3 of 17

“what they say”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

וְאַחַר֙4 of 17

“and afterward”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

תֶּֽחֱזַ֣קְנָה5 of 17

“be strengthened”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

יָדֶ֔יךָ6 of 17

“shall thine hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַיֵּ֤רֶד7 of 17

“Then went he down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃8 of 17

“that were in the host”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וַיֵּ֤רֶד9 of 17

“Then went he down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הוּא֙10 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּפֻרָ֣ה11 of 17

“with Phurah”

H6513

purah, an israelite

נַֽעֲר֔וֹ12 of 17

“his servant”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

אֶל13 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קְצֵ֥ה14 of 17

“unto the outside”

H7097

an extremity

הַֽחֲמֻשִׁ֖ים15 of 17

“of the armed men”

H2571

staunch, i.e., able-bodied soldiers

אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃17 of 17

“that were in the host”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

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 7:11 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 7:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 6:10Philippians 4:132 Corinthians 12:9-10Ezra 6:22Genesis 24:14Exodus 13:18

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