King James Version

What Does Judges 7:13 Mean?

Judges 7:13 in the King James Version says “And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 7:13 · King James Version

Context

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.

14

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.

15

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

Read Judges 7 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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 Israel's apparent weakness. That this humble bread tumbles into the mighty camp and destroys a tent symbolizes unlikely victory. Dreams as divine revelation were common in the ancient Near East; God here uses a pagan's dream to encourage His servant.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Dream interpretation was significant in ancient Near Eastern cultures—Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Canaanite societies all practiced oneiromancy (divination through dreams). Kings employed professional dream interpreters. That a Midianite soldier's companion could immediately interpret the dream shows this was part of their cultural framework. Barley was considered inferior to wheat—it was drought-resistant and cheaper but of lower quality, hence associated with poverty.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God using a pagan's dream to encourage Gideon demonstrate His sovereignty over all circumstances?
  2. What does the barley bread imagery teach about God using weak, despised things to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27)?
  3. When has God provided unexpected encouragement precisely when you needed it most?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 27

“and came”

H935

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

גִדְע֔וֹן2 of 27

“And when Gideon”

H1439

gidon, an israelite

וְהִ֨נֵּה3 of 27
H2009

lo!

אִ֔ישׁ4 of 27

“behold there was a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מְסַפֵּ֥ר5 of 27

“that told”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

לְרֵעֵ֖הוּ6 of 27

“unto his fellow”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

חֲל֣וֹם7 of 27

“a dream”

H2472

a dream

וַיֹּ֜אמֶר8 of 27

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֧ה9 of 27
H2009

lo!

חֲל֣וֹם10 of 27

“a dream”

H2472

a dream

חָלַ֗מְתִּי11 of 27

“Behold I dreamed”

H2492

properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream

וְהִנֵּ֨ה12 of 27
H2009

lo!

צְלִ֜וֹל13 of 27

“and lo a cake”

H6742

a (round or flattened) cake

לֶ֤חֶם14 of 27

“bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

שְׂעֹרִים֙15 of 27

“of barley”

H8184

barley (as villose)

וַיַּֽהַפְכֵ֥הוּ16 of 27

“and overturned”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

בְּמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה17 of 27

“into 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

מִדְיָ֔ן18 of 27

“of Midian”

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

וַיָּבֹ֣א19 of 27

“and came”

H935

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

עַד20 of 27
H5704

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

הָאֹֽהֶל׃21 of 27

“it that the tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וַיַּכֵּ֧הוּ22 of 27

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וְנָפַ֥ל23 of 27

“it that it fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

וַיַּֽהַפְכֵ֥הוּ24 of 27

“and overturned”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

לְמַ֖עְלָה25 of 27
H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

וְנָפַ֥ל26 of 27

“it that it fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

הָאֹֽהֶל׃27 of 27

“it that the tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

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 7:13 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 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 41:14-15Judges 3:31Judges 6:15Judges 3:151 Corinthians 1:27Judges 4:21

Places in This Verse

MidianRegion · Modern: Al Bad · 28.49°N, 35.01°E51 verses across 11 books
View all places in Judges 7 →

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 7 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes