King James Version

What Does Judges 7:22 Mean?

Judges 7:22 in the King James Version says “And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the ... — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Judges 7:22 · KJV


Context

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

23

And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

24

And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
While the 300 continued blowing trumpets, 'the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host.' God induced the Midianites to attack each other in the darkness and confusion—friendly fire on massive scale. The fleeing remnant headed east toward their homelands: 'unto Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.' These place names trace the retreat route from the Jezreel Valley back across the Jordan. The phrase 'the LORD set' emphasizes divine agency—this wasn't merely natural panic but supernatural confusion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The flight route moved from the Jezreel Valley (Israel's heartland) eastward toward the Jordan River crossings. Beth-shittah and Zererath were likely in the Jordan Valley, Abel-meholah (Elisha's hometown, 1 Kings 19:16) was east of the Jordan, and Tabbath was in Gilead. The retreating force was heading back to Midianite and Amalekite territories east and south of the Dead Sea. The distance covered (30-40 miles) in panicked flight indicates the rout's thoroughness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God causing the enemy to fight each other demonstrate His sovereignty over the spiritual forces arrayed against believers?
  2. What does this victory with minimal Israelite casualties teach about God's ability to protect His people while defeating their enemies?
  3. How should remembering God's past victories encourage confidence when facing present spiritual battles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֮1 of 24

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

שְׁלֹשׁ2 of 24

And the three

H7969

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

מֵא֣וֹת3 of 24

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

הַשּֽׁוֹפָרוֹת֒4 of 24

the trumpets

H7782

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

וַיָּ֣שֶׂם5 of 24

set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

יְהוָ֗ה6 of 24

and the LORD

H3068

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

אֵ֣ת7 of 24
H853

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

חֶ֥רֶב8 of 24

sword

H2719

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

אִ֛ישׁ9 of 24

every man's

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)

בְּרֵעֵ֖הוּ10 of 24

against his fellow

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וּבְכָל11 of 24
H3605

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

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה12 of 24

and 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

וַיָּ֨נָס13 of 24

fled

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה14 of 24

and 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

עַד15 of 24
H5704

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

בֵּ֤ית16 of 24
H0
הַשִּׁטָּה֙17 of 24

to Bethshittah

H1029

beth-hash-shittah, a place in palestine

צְֽרֵרָ֔תָה18 of 24

in Zererath

H6888

tsererah for tseredah

עַ֛ד19 of 24
H5704

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

שְׂפַת20 of 24

and to the border

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

אָבֵ֥ל21 of 24
H0
מְחוֹלָ֖ה22 of 24

of Abelmeholah

H65

abel-mecholah, a place in palestine

עַל23 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

טַבָּֽת׃24 of 24

unto Tabbath

H2888

tabbath, a place east of the jordan


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 7:22 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 7:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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