Bible Commentaries
Judges 6

Introduction

Overview

Judges 6:1, The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian; Judges 6:8, A prophet rebukes them; Judges 6:11, An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance; Judges 6:17, Gideon’s present is consumed with fire; Judges 6:24, Gideon destroys Baal’s altar, and offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom; Judges 6:28, Joash defends his son, and calls shim Jerubbaal; Judges 6:33, Gideon’s army; Judges 6:36, Gideon’s signs.

Verse 1

did evil: Judges 2:13, Judges 2:14, Judges 2:19, Judges 2:20, Leviticus 26:14-46, Deuteronomy 28:15-68, Nehemiah 9:26-29, Psalms 106:34-42

delivered: When God judges, he will overcome; and sinners shall be made either to bend or break before him. See the ensuing history.

Midian: Genesis 25:2, Numbers 25:17, Numbers 25:18, Habakkuk 3:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:28 - Midianites Numbers 31:7 - the males Deuteronomy 28:29 - thou shalt be Deuteronomy 28:31 - ox Joshua 23:15 - so shall Judges 2:11 - did evil Judges 4:1 - did evil Judges 10:6 - did evil Judges 13:1 - did 1 Samuel 8:8 - General 1 Kings 8:33 - because they have 1 Chronicles 1:32 - Midian Ezra 5:12 - he gave Nehemiah 9:28 - did evil again Psalms 106:41 - he gave Isaiah 2:10 - Enter Isaiah 9:4 - as in the day Isaiah 65:21 - General Hebrews 11:32 - Gedeon

Verse 2

the hand: Leviticus 26:17, Deuteronomy 28:47, Deuteronomy 28:48

prevailed: Heb. was strong

dens: Dr. Shaw says, that a great way on each side Joppa, on the sea coast, there is a range of mountains and precipices; and in these high situations are generally found the dens, holes, or caves, which are so frequently mentioned in Scripture; and which were formerly the lonesome retreats of the distressed Israelites. 1 Samuel 13:6, 1 Samuel 14:11, Hebrews 11:38, Revelation 6:15

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:7 - the males Joshua 10:16 - in a cave 1 Samuel 31:7 - they forsook the cities 2 Samuel 7:10 - as beforetime 1 Kings 8:33 - because they have 1 Chronicles 10:7 - then they Job 30:6 - dwell Isaiah 2:10 - Enter Jeremiah 41:9 - because of Gedaliah Jeremiah 48:28 - leave Jeremiah 49:8 - dwell Ezekiel 33:27 - in the caves

Verse 3

when Israel: Leviticus 26:16, Deuteronomy 28:30-33, Deuteronomy 28:51, Job 31:8, Isaiah 65:21, Isaiah 65:22, Micah 6:15

Amalekites: Judges 3:13

children: Judges 6:33, Judges 7:12, Judges 8:10, Genesis 29:1, 1 Kings 4:30, Job 1:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:16 - General Genesis 25:6 - east country Numbers 13:29 - Amalekites Numbers 24:20 - his latter end Judges 10:9 - passed Judges 10:12 - Amalekites 2 Kings 13:20 - the Moabites 1 Chronicles 17:10 - And since Job 5:5 - harvest Job 24:6 - They reap Psalms 107:39 - oppression Psalms 109:11 - strangers Psalms 128:2 - thou shalt eat Psalms 144:14 - no breaking in Ecclesiastes 3:13 - General Isaiah 62:8 - Surely I will no more give Jeremiah 5:17 - And they Jeremiah 49:28 - spoil Ezekiel 25:4 - men Hosea 8:7 - the strangers John 4:37 - One

Verse 4

destroyed: Leviticus 26:16, Deuteronomy 28:30, Deuteronomy 28:33, Deuteronomy 28:51, Micah 6:15

till thou come: The Midianites dwelt beyond the eastern borders of the land of Canaan, east of the Dead Sea, and Gaza was on the Mediterranean, on the west, so that these invaders ravaged the whole breadth of the land. Genesis 10:19, Genesis 13:10

left no: Proverbs 28:3, Jeremiah 49:9, Jeremiah 49:10, Obadiah 1:5

sheep: or, goat

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:1 - rob the Jeremiah 5:17 - And they

Verse 5

tents: Song of Solomon 1:5, Isaiah 13:20

as grasshoppers: Judges 7:12, Judges 8:10, Jeremiah 46:23

their camels: Judges 8:21, 1 Samuel 30:17, Isaiah 60:6, Jeremiah 49:29, Jeremiah 49:32

to destroy: Psalms 83:4-12

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:16 - General Genesis 41:49 - General 1 Kings 20:27 - like two 2 Chronicles 12:3 - without number Job 1:3 - seven Psalms 106:43 - brought low Jeremiah 51:14 - as with Jeremiah 51:27 - cause

Verse 6

impoverished: Psalms 106:43, *marg. Jeremiah 5:17, Malachi 1:4

cried: Judges 3:9, Judges 3:15, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 78:34, Psalms 106:44, Isaiah 26:16, Hosea 5:15

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 13:4 - Jehoahaz Nehemiah 9:27 - in the time Psalms 22:5 - cried Psalms 107:13 - General Psalms 144:14 - no breaking in

Verse 7

Reciprocal: Judges 3:9 - cried 1 Samuel 12:10 - And they 2 Kings 13:4 - Jehoahaz Hosea 5:15 - in their

Verse 8

am 2759, bc 1245, An, Ex, Is, 246

a prophet: Heb. a man

a prophet: Thus saith, Judges 2:1-3, Nehemiah 9:9-12, Psalms 136:10-16, Isaiah 63:9-14, Ezekiel 20:5-32

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:20 - after that 1 Samuel 2:27 - a man 1 Samuel 10:18 - Thus saith Jeremiah 34:13 - in the Mark 12:2 - a servant Luke 20:10 - sent

Verse 9

drave them: Psalms 44:2, Psalms 44:3

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:9 - oppresseth 1 Samuel 10:18 - Thus saith

Verse 10

I am the: Exodus 20:2, Exodus 20:3

fear not: 2 Kings 17:33, 2 Kings 17:35-39, Jeremiah 10:2

ye have: Judges 2:2, Proverbs 5:13, Jeremiah 3:13, Jeremiah 3:25, Jeremiah 9:13, Jeremiah 42:21, Jeremiah 43:4, Jeremiah 43:7, Zephaniah 3:2, Romans 10:16, Hebrews 5:9

Reciprocal: Joshua 24:15 - or the gods 2 Kings 17:13 - all

Verse 11

an angel: Judges 6:14-16, Judges 2:1-5, Judges 5:23, Judges 13:3, Judges 13:18-20, Genesis 48:16, Joshua 18:23, Isaiah 63:9

Abiezrite: Judges 8:2, Joshua 17:2

Gideon: Hebrews 11:32, Gedeon, hide it, Heb. cause it to flee

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:10 - the angel Leviticus 26:16 - and ye shall Numbers 26:30 - Jeezer Judges 6:34 - Abiezer Judges 8:27 - Ophrah 1 Samuel 23:1 - rob the 1 Kings 13:18 - an angel 1 Kings 19:19 - he with 1 Chronicles 7:18 - General 1 Chronicles 21:20 - And Ornan Job 5:5 - the thorns Lamentations 5:9 - General Matthew 4:18 - for Luke 2:9 - lo

Verse 12

the angel: Judges 13:3, Luke 1:11, Luke 1:28

The Lord: Judges 2:18, Exodus 3:12, Joshua 1:5, Joshua 1:9, Ruth 2:4, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:20, Luke 1:28, Acts 18:9, Acts 18:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:20 - God Deuteronomy 20:1 - the Lord Joshua 3:10 - among Judges 1:19 - the Lord Judges 6:16 - General Judges 11:1 - a mighty 1 Samuel 10:7 - God 1 Kings 13:18 - an angel 1 Chronicles 22:18 - Is not 1 Chronicles 26:6 - mighty men of valour 2 Chronicles 17:3 - the Lord Job 29:5 - the Almighty Matthew 4:18 - for Luke 2:9 - lo John 1:18 - he hath

Verse 13

if the Lord: Genesis 25:22, Exodus 33:14-16, Numbers 14:14, Numbers 14:15, Romans 8:31

why then: Deuteronomy 29:24, Deuteronomy 30:17, Deuteronomy 30:18, Psalms 77:7-9, Psalms 89:49, Isaiah 59:1, Isaiah 59:2, Isaiah 63:15

our fathers: Psalms 44:1, Psalms 78:3, Psalms 78:4

forsaken us: Deuteronomy 31:17, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 27:9, Isaiah 41:17, Jeremiah 23:33

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:21 - the Lord Deuteronomy 7:18 - remember Deuteronomy 32:7 - ask Joshua 3:10 - among Judges 1:19 - the Lord 2 Kings 2:14 - Where is Job 9:16 - would I Job 29:5 - the Almighty Ecclesiastes 7:10 - What Isaiah 51:9 - as in Jeremiah 2:6 - Where Daniel 10:16 - my Lord Luke 1:29 - what

Verse 14

the Lord: Judges 6:11

Go in: Judges 4:6, Joshua 1:5-9, 1 Samuel 12:11, 1 Chronicles 14:9, 1 Chronicles 14:10, Hebrews 11:32, Hebrews 11:34

Reciprocal: Joshua 1:9 - Have Judges 2:16 - the Lord Judges 6:36 - If thou wilt 1 Samuel 9:21 - my family 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever

Verse 15

wherewith: Exodus 3:11, Exodus 4:10, Jeremiah 1:6, Luke 1:34

my family is poor: Heb. my thousand is the meanest, Exodus 18:21-25, 1 Samuel 9:21, 1 Samuel 18:23, Micah 5:2

the least: Genesis 32:10, Jeremiah 50:45, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:16 - the renowned Judges 7:13 - a cake 1 Samuel 15:17 - When thou 2 Samuel 7:18 - Who am I 1 Chronicles 17:16 - what is Daniel 10:16 - my Lord

Verse 16

Judges 6:12, Exodus 3:12, Joshua 1:5, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:14-16, Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:20, Acts 11:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:10 - the angel Genesis 28:15 - I am Numbers 14:15 - General 2 Kings 3:19 - And ye

Verse 17

If now: Exodus 33:13, Exodus 33:16

show: Judges 6:36-40, Genesis 15:8-17, Exodus 4:1-9, 2 Kings 20:8-11, Psalms 86:17, Isaiah 7:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:14 - And let Exodus 3:12 - token Psalms 74:9 - We see Isaiah 38:7 - General

Verse 18

bring: Judges 13:15, Genesis 18:3, Genesis 18:5, Genesis 19:3

present: or, meat offering

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 9:7 - what shall

Verse 19

and made: Dr. Shaw observes, "Besides a bowl of milk, and a basket of figs, raisins, or dates, which upon our arrival were presented to us, to stay our appetite, the master of the tent fetched us from his flock, according to the number of our company, a kid or a goat, a lamb or a sheep; half of which was immediately seethed by his wife, and served up with cucasoe; the rest was made kaḃab, i.e., cut to pieces and roasted, which we reserved for our breakfast or dinner next day." May we not suppose, says Mr. Harmer, that Gideon presented some slight refreshment to the supposed prophet, according to the present Arab mode, and desired him to stay till he could provide something more substantial; that he immediately killed a kid, seethed a part of it, and when ready brought the stewed meat in a pot, with unleavened cakes of bread, which he had baked; and the other part, the kaḃab, in a basket for him to carry with him, for some after repast in his journey? Judges 13:15-19, Genesis 18:6-8

a kid: Heb. a kid of the goats

unleavened cakes: Leviticus 2:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:3 - unleavened Judges 13:19 - took

Verse 20

lay them: Judges 13:19

pour out: 1 Kings 18:33, 1 Kings 18:34

Verse 21

rose up: Judges 13:20, Leviticus 9:24, 1 Kings 18:38, 1 Chronicles 21:26, 2 Chronicles 7:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:4 - had Genesis 15:17 - smoking Genesis 16:10 - the angel Genesis 17:22 - General Genesis 35:13 - General Genesis 48:16 - Angel Exodus 3:12 - token Judges 13:19 - did wonderously 1 Samuel 10:9 - and all those signs 1 Kings 18:24 - answereth by fire

Verse 22

perceived: Judges 13:21

because: Judges 13:22, Judges 13:23, Genesis 16:13, Genesis 32:30, Exodus 33:20, Deuteronomy 5:5, Deuteronomy 5:24, Deuteronomy 5:26, Isaiah 6:5-8, John 1:18, John 12:41

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:33 - General Daniel 10:17 - talk Luke 1:12 - he Luke 9:34 - and they

Verse 23

Peace be: Genesis 32:30, Genesis 43:23, Psalms 85:8, Daniel 10:19, John 14:27, John 20:19, John 20:26, Romans 1:7

Reciprocal: Judges 19:20 - Peace be Luke 1:13 - Fear

Verse 24

built: Judges 21:4, Genesis 33:20, Joshua 22:10, Joshua 22:26-28

Jehovahshalom: that is, The Lord send peace, Genesis 22:14, Exodus 17:15, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:16, Ezekiel 48:35

Ophrah: Judges 8:32

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:13 - called Genesis 35:7 - General Numbers 26:30 - Jeezer Judges 2:5 - they sacrificed Judges 8:27 - Ophrah Judges 9:5 - at Ophrah 1 Chronicles 7:18 - General 1 Chronicles 22:9 - I will give peace 2 Thessalonians 3:16 - give

Verse 25

Take thy father's: Genesis 35:2, Job 22:23, Psalms 101:2

even: or, and, throw, 1 Kings 18:21, Matthew 6:24, 2 Corinthians 6:15-17

thy father: Matthew 10:37, Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29

cut down: Judges 3:7, Exodus 34:13, Deuteronomy 7:5

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:4 - brake 2 Chronicles 14:3 - cut down

Verse 26

build: 2 Samuel 24:18

rock: Heb. strong place

the ordered place: or, an orderly manner, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 Corinthians 14:40

Reciprocal: Leviticus 17:8 - that offereth Deuteronomy 7:5 - and cut Judges 13:16 - and if Judges 21:4 - built there 1 Samuel 6:14 - offered 1 Samuel 7:9 - a sucking 1 Kings 18:32 - And with

Verse 27

and did: Deuteronomy 4:1, Matthew 16:24, John 2:5, John 15:14, Galatians 1:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:4

he did it: Psalms 112:5, John 3:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:27 - Wherefore 1 Samuel 14:1 - he told not Nehemiah 2:12 - I arose

Verse 28

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 7:9 - a sucking 2 Kings 18:4 - brake

Verse 29

Reciprocal: Isaiah 44:11 - let them all John 5:12 - What

Verse 30

Bring: Jeremiah 26:11, Jeremiah 50:38, John 16:2, Acts 26:9, Philippians 3:6

Verse 31

Will ye plead: The words are very emphatic: "Will ye plead in earnest (tereevoon) for Baal? Will ye really save (tosheeoon) him? If he be God - Elohim, let him contend for himself, seeing his altar is thrown down." Exodus 23:2, Numbers 14:6, Ephesians 5:11

let him be: Deuteronomy 13:5-18, Deuteronomy 17:2-7, 1 Kings 18:40

if he be: 1 Kings 18:27, 1 Kings 18:29, Psalms 115:4-7, Isaiah 41:23, Isaiah 46:1, Isaiah 46:7, Jeremiah 10:5, Jeremiah 10:11, 1 Corinthians 8:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:30 - my gods Judges 18:17 - the graven

Verse 32

Jerubbaal: that is, Let Baal plead, 1 Samuel 12:11, 2 Samuel 11:21, Jerubbesheth, that is, Let the shameful thing plead, Jeremiah 11:13, Hosea 9:10

Reciprocal: Judges 7:1 - Jerubbaal Judges 8:29 - Jerubbaal

Verse 33

Then all: Psalms 3:1, Psalms 27:2, Psalms 27:3, Psalms 118:10-12, Isaiah 8:9, Isaiah 8:10, Romans 8:35-39

children: Judges 6:3, Judges 8:10, Judges 8:11, 1 Chronicles 5:19, Job 1:3

went over: Judges 7:24, Joshua 3:16

the valley: Joshua 17:16, Joshua 19:18, 1 Kings 18:45, 1 Kings 21:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:1 - came Numbers 31:7 - the males Judges 7:8 - in the valley Judges 7:12 - the Midianites 1 Samuel 29:1 - Jezreel Ezekiel 25:4 - men Hosea 1:5 - in

Verse 34

the Spirit: Judges 3:10, Judges 13:25, Judges 14:19, Judges 15:14, 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 11:6, 1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Chronicles 12:18, 2 Chronicles 24:20, Psalms 51:11, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

came upon: Heb. clothed, Romans 13:14, Galatians 3:27

blew: Judges 3:27, Numbers 10:3

Abiezer: Judges 6:11, Judges 8:2, Joshua 17:2

was gathered: Heb. was called

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:9 - oppresseth Numbers 26:30 - Jeezer Judges 11:29 - the spirit 1 Samuel 13:3 - blew 1 Chronicles 7:18 - General

Verse 35

messengers: 2 Chronicles 30:6-12

Reciprocal: Judges 7:23 - General

Verse 36

If thou wilt: Judges 6:14, Judges 6:17-20, Exodus 4:1-9, 2 Kings 20:9, Psalms 103:13, Psalms 103:14, Matthew 16:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:8 - General Genesis 24:15 - before Exodus 3:12 - token 1 Samuel 10:9 - and all those signs 1 Samuel 14:9 - they Isaiah 7:11 - a sign Micah 5:7 - as a dew Luke 1:18 - Whereby

Verse 37

Behold: Deuteronomy 32:2, Psalms 72:6, Hosea 6:3, Hosea 6:4, Hosea 14:5

only: Psalms 147:19, Psalms 147:20, Matthew 10:5, Matthew 10:6, Matthew 15:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:14 - And let 2 Kings 20:8 - What shall be Isaiah 38:7 - General Amos 4:7 - and I Luke 11:24 - dry

Verse 38

a bowl: Isaiah 35:7

Verse 39

Let not thine: Genesis 18:32

dry: Psalms 107:33-35, Isaiah 35:6, Isaiah 35:7, Isaiah 43:19, Isaiah 43:20, Isaiah 50:2, Matthew 8:12, Matthew 21:43, Acts 13:46, Acts 22:21, Acts 28:28, Romans 11:12-22

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:30 - General 1 Samuel 23:4 - yet again