King James Version

What Does Judges 7:4 Mean?

Judges 7:4 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee... — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

Judges 7:4 · KJV


Context

2

And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

3

Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.

4

And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

5

So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

6

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Despite losing 68% of troops, God says the army is still too large: 'The people are yet too many.' This shocking statement reveals God's purpose—demonstrating His power, not Israel's. Ten thousand faithful warriors could plausibly defeat 135,000 through superior strategy or morale, allowing Israel to claim credit. God wants the victory so obviously miraculous that only divine intervention explains it. This principle pervades Scripture: God reduces human resources to magnify divine power (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). The command to bring them to the water introduces the second test.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare often saw smaller, better-disciplined forces defeat larger armies—Greek hoplites at Marathon, Roman legions consistently. A core of 10,000 motivated Israelite warriors familiar with hill country terrain could reasonably hope to defeat the larger but less cohesive Midianite coalition through guerrilla tactics, night raids, and defensive positioning. God eliminates this possibility by further reduction.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God deliberately remove Israel's ability to claim credit for victory?
  2. How does God's strategy of reduction challenge modern church emphasis on numerical growth and resource accumulation?
  3. What 'too many' resources or abilities in your life might God need to reduce for His power to be clearly displayed?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 35 words
אֹמַ֜ר1 of 35

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 35

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּדְע֗וֹן4 of 35

unto Gideon

H1439

gidon, an israelite

עוֹד֮5 of 35
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

הָעָ֣ם6 of 35

The people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רָב֒7 of 35

are yet too many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

הוֹרֵ֤ד8 of 35

bring them down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אוֹתָם֙9 of 35
H853

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

אֶל10 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמַּ֔יִם11 of 35

unto the water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ12 of 35

and I will try

H6884

to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)

לְךָ֖13 of 35
H0
שָׁ֑ם14 of 35
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְהָיָ֡ה15 of 35
H1961

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

אֲשֶׁר֩16 of 35
H834

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

אֹמַ֜ר17 of 35

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֜יךָ18 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זֶ֣ה׀19 of 35
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יֵלֵ֣ךְ20 of 35
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אִתָּ֗ךְ21 of 35
H854

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

ה֚וּא22 of 35
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יֵלֵ֣ךְ23 of 35
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אִתָּ֔ךְ24 of 35
H854

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

וְכֹ֨ל25 of 35
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר26 of 35
H834

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

אֹמַ֜ר27 of 35

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֗יךָ28 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זֶ֚ה29 of 35
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לֹֽא30 of 35
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵלֵ֣ךְ31 of 35
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִמָּ֔ךְ32 of 35
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

ה֖וּא33 of 35
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לֹ֥א34 of 35
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵלֵֽךְ׃35 of 35
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)


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 7:4 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 7:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study