King James Version

What Does Judges 7:19 Mean?

Judges 7:19 in the King James Version says “So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watc... — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

Judges 7:19 · KJV


Context

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.

18

When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

19

So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

20

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

21

And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The timing was precise: 'the beginning of the middle watch' (around midnight), just after the guard change. The freshly posted sentries would be most alert but also most isolated from the sleeping main camp. Gideon's company approached the camp edge, then 'blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.' The simultaneous actions—trumpet blasts and shattering pottery revealing torches—created a shocking sensory assault. The coordination demonstrated military discipline despite the small force and unconventional tactics.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient armies divided night into three watches (evening, midnight, morning) or four watches (Roman system). The 'beginning of the middle watch' placed the attack at midnight when most of the camp slept deeply. Guard changes were vulnerable moments—new sentries adjusting to darkness, old guards departing to rest. The element of surprise was maximized because no army expected attack at this hour, especially by inferior forces. The multiple simultaneous sensory inputs (trumpet sounds, breaking pottery, sudden lights) created cognitive overload preventing rational response.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the precise timing demonstrate the importance of divine wisdom in spiritual warfare?
  2. What does attacking during the middle watch (deepest darkness) symbolize about God's power to bring light into darkness?
  3. When has God's timing in your life seemed delayed until the perfect moment for maximum impact?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 22

that were with him came

H935

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

גִ֠דְעוֹן2 of 22

So Gideon

H1439

gidon, an israelite

וּמֵאָה3 of 22

and the hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִ֨ישׁ4 of 22

men

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)

אֲשֶׁר5 of 22
H834

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

אִתּ֜וֹ6 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בִּקְצֵ֣ה7 of 22

unto the outside

H7097

an extremity

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה8 of 22

of the camp

H4264

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

רֹ֚אשׁ9 of 22

in the beginning

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הָֽאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת10 of 22

watch

H821

a night watch

הַתִּֽיכוֹנָ֔ה11 of 22

of the middle

H8484

central

אַ֛ךְ12 of 22

and they had but

H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

הֵקִ֖ימוּ13 of 22

newly

H6965

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

הֵקִ֖ימוּ14 of 22

newly

H6965

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

אֶת15 of 22
H853

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

הַשֹּֽׁמְרִ֑ים16 of 22

the watch

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙17 of 22

and they blew

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

בַּשּׁ֣וֹפָר֔וֹת18 of 22

the trumpets

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

וְנָפ֥וֹץ19 of 22

and brake

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

הַכַּדִּ֖ים20 of 22

the pitchers

H3537

properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 22
H834

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

בְּיָדָֽם׃22 of 22

that were in their 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


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 7:19 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 7:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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