King James Version

What Does Judges 7:14 Mean?

Judges 7:14 in the King James Version says “And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for i... — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Judges 7:14 · KJV


Context

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

16

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


Commentary

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 and Gideon's role shows God's reputation and Gideon's emerging fame. The phrase 'into his hand hath God delivered' echoes God's promise to Gideon (verse 9), confirming through enemy admission that divine decree determines outcomes regardless of human strength.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Midianites' knowledge of Gideon by name and his God-given authority shows that news of the Baal altar destruction and Israel's mobilization had reached the enemy camp. Ancient armies gathered intelligence through spies, deserters, and local informants. The Midianites feared Yahweh based on reports of the Exodus and conquest (paralleling Rahab's confession in Joshua 2:9-11), understanding that Israel's God determined battle outcomes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the enemy's fearful recognition of God's power demonstrate that those who oppose God's people do so against their own knowledge?
  2. What does the Midianite's interpretation teach about how God's reputation precedes His people's actions?
  3. How should Christians respond when even opponents acknowledge God's work in their lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּ֨עַן1 of 21

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

רֵעֵ֤הוּ2 of 21

And his fellow

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙3 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֣ין4 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

זֹ֔את5 of 21
H2063

this (often used adverb)

בִּלְתִּ֗י6 of 21
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

אִם7 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

חֶ֛רֶב8 of 21

This is nothing else save the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

גִּדְע֥וֹן9 of 21

of Gideon

H1439

gidon, an israelite

בֶּן10 of 21

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יוֹאָ֖שׁ11 of 21

of Joash

H3101

joash, the name of six israelites

אִ֣ישׁ12 of 21

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)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל13 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

נָתַ֤ן14 of 21

delivered

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙15 of 21

hath God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּיָד֔וֹ16 of 21

for into his hand

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

אֶת17 of 21
H853

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

מִדְיָ֖ן18 of 21

Midian

H4080

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

וְאֶת19 of 21
H853

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

כָּל20 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃21 of 21

and all 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 7:14 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 7:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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