King James Version

What Does Judges 7:20 Mean?

Judges 7:20 in the King James Version says “And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trump...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 7:20 · KJV

Context

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 .

22

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. in: or, toward border: Heb. lip

Read Judges 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All three companies executed the plan simultaneously: '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.' The coordination across separated units surrounding the camp demonstrated the discipline of Gideon's 300. Holding torches in left hands and trumpets in right was deliberate—torches provided the visual terror, trumpets the auditory assault, and the battle cry the psychological declaration of encirclement and divine judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The coordinated action from three directions simultaneously convinced the Midianites they were surrounded by a massive force. Each of the 300 men with trumpet and torch suggested they were officers or unit leaders with troops behind them in the darkness. Simple multiplication—300 visible leaders might suggest 30,000 total troops (typical 1:100 officer:soldier ratio), far exceeding Israel's actual numbers. The strategy exploited the enemy's knowledge of their own vast numbers—they assumed any attacking force must be equally large to dare assault them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the coordinated action of the 300 illustrate the power of unified obedience in the body of Christ?
  2. What does holding both lamp and trumpet teach about combining the light of truth with the proclamation of the gospel?
  3. How does this account demonstrate that God's strategies often appear foolish by worldly wisdom but prove effective?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לִתְק֑וֹעַ1 of 18

“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

שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת2 of 18

“And the three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הָֽרָאשִׁ֥ים3 of 18

“companies”

H7218

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

הַשּֽׁוֹפָר֖וֹת4 of 18

“and the trumpets”

H7782

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

וַיִּשְׁבְּר֣וּ5 of 18

“and brake”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

הַכַּדִּים֒6 of 18

“the pitchers”

H3537

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

וַיַּֽחֲזִ֤יקוּ7 of 18

“and held”

H2388

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

וּבְיַ֨ד8 of 18

“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

שְׂמאוֹלָם֙9 of 18

“in their left”

H8040

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

בַּלַּפִּדִ֔ים10 of 18

“the lamps”

H3940

a flambeau, lamp or flame

וּבְיַ֨ד11 of 18

“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

יְמִינָ֔ם12 of 18

“in their right”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

הַשּֽׁוֹפָר֖וֹת13 of 18

“and the trumpets”

H7782

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

לִתְק֑וֹעַ14 of 18

“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

וַֽיִּקְרְא֔וּ15 of 18

“withal and they cried”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

חֶ֥רֶב16 of 18

“The sword”

H2719

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

לַֽיהוָ֖ה17 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן׃18 of 18

“and of Gideon”

H1439

gidon, an israelite

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 7:20 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 7:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 6:161 Corinthians 15:52Isaiah 27:132 Corinthians 4:7Joshua 6:20Joshua 6:4

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