King James Version

What Does Judges 7:15 Mean?

Judges 7:15 in the King James Version says “And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and retur...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Judges 7:15 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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

17

And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hearing this providential dream and interpretation, Gideon worships: 'he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.' His worship response demonstrates transformed faith—from fearful thresher requesting signs to confident leader worshiping before battle. The Hebrew vayishtachu (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ, 'and he worshipped') depicts prostration, humble acknowledgment of God's power. His subsequent command 'Arise' echoes God's earlier command to him (verse 9), showing how encountering God's faithfulness empowers us to call others to action.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Worship in military contexts appears throughout Scripture—Israel worshipped after Red Sea deliverance (Exodus 15), Jehoshaphat sent singers before the army (2 Chronicles 20:21), Judas Maccabeus prayed before battles. This pattern demonstrates that victory belongs to God, not human strength. Gideon's worship before the battle rather than only afterward shows faith trusting God's promise before seeing its fulfillment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does worship before victory demonstrate greater faith than thanksgiving only after success?
  2. What role should worship play in preparing for difficult tasks and spiritual battles?
  3. How did Gideon's transformed confidence from fearful to bold encourage the 300 warriors following him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ2 of 22

“heard”

H8085

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

גִּדְע֜וֹן3 of 22

“And it was so when Gideon”

H1439

gidon, an israelite

אֶת4 of 22
H853

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

מִסְפַּ֧ר5 of 22

“the telling”

H4557

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

הַֽחֲל֛וֹם6 of 22

“of the dream”

H2472

a dream

וְאֶת7 of 22
H853

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

שִׁבְר֖וֹ8 of 22

“and the interpretation”

H7667

a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)

וַיִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ9 of 22

“thereof that he worshipped”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙10 of 22

“and returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל11 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַֽחֲנֵ֥ה12 of 22

“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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל13 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר14 of 22

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ק֔וּמוּ15 of 22

“Arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

כִּֽי16 of 22
H3588

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

נָתַ֧ן17 of 22

“hath delivered”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֛ה18 of 22

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּיֶדְכֶ֖ם19 of 22

“into your 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

אֶת20 of 22
H853

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

מַֽחֲנֵ֥ה21 of 22

“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

מִדְיָֽן׃22 of 22

“of Midian”

H4080

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

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 7:15 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 7:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 10:4-6Genesis 24:48Genesis 40:8Genesis 41:112 Chronicles 20:18-19Genesis 24:26-27

Places in This Verse

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

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