Bible Commentaries
Judges 7

Introduction

Overview

Judges 7:1, Gideon’s army of two and thirty thousand is brought to three hundred; Judges 7:9, He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake; Judges 7:16, His stratagem of trumpets and lamps in pitchers; Judges 7:24, The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.

Verse 1

Jerubbaal: It appears that Jerubbaal had now become the surname of Gideon. He is mentioned by Sanchoniathon, quoted by Eusebius, who lived in the reign of Ithobal, king of Tyre, and consequently a little after the time of Gideon, by the name of Jerombalus, a priest of Jeuo or Jao. Judges 6:32

rose up: Genesis 22:3, Joshua 3:1, Joshua 6:12, Ecclesiastes 9:10

Moreh: Genesis 12:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 11:30 - Gilgal Judges 9:17 - fought 2 Samuel 11:21 - Jerubbesheth

Verse 2

too many: 1 Samuel 14:6, 2 Chronicles 14:11, Zechariah 4:6, Zechariah 12:7, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Israel: Deuteronomy 32:27, Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17, Jeremiah 9:23, Romans 3:27, Romans 11:18, 1 Corinthians 1:29, Ephesians 2:9, James 4:6

Mine own: Deuteronomy 8:17, Isaiah 10:13, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:17, Daniel 4:30, Habakkuk 1:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 8:9 - Glory over me Numbers 31:4 - a thousand Deuteronomy 2:33 - the Lord 1 Kings 17:9 - widow woman Job 32:13 - Lest Psalms 33:16 - no king Isaiah 9:21 - Ephraim 1 Corinthians 1:25 - the foolishness

Verse 3

Whosoever: Deuteronomy 20:8, Matthew 13:21, Luke 14:25-33, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 21:8

mount Gilead: Gideon was certainly not at mount Gilead, east of Jordan at this time; but rather near mount Gilboa, west of Jordan. Calmet thinks there must either have been two Gileads, which does not appear from Scripture to have been the case, or that the Hebrew Text is corrupt, and that for Gilead we should read Gilboa. This reading, though adopted by Houbigant, is not confirmed by an manuscript or version. Dr. Hales endeavours to reconcile the whole, by the supposition that in Gideon's army there were many eastern Manassites from mount Gilead, near the Midianites; and therefore proposes to read, "Whosoever from mount Gilead is fearful and afraid, let him return - home and depart early."

twenty: Matthew 20:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 13:17 - the people repent 1 Samuel 13:7 - followed him trembling

Verse 4

people: Psalms 33:16

I will: Genesis 22:1, 1 Samuel 16:7, Job 23:10, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 66:10, Jeremiah 6:27-30, Malachi 3:2, Malachi 3:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:6 - for there is no restraint 1 Kings 17:9 - widow woman Psalms 44:7 - But

Verse 5

lappeth: The original word yalok, is precisely the sound which the dog makes in lapping. It appears that it is not unusual for the Arabs to drink water out of the palms of their hands; and, from this account, we learn that the Israelites did so occasionally. Dr. A. Clarke, in his edition of Harmer, has presented us with the following curious manuscript note from Dr. Russell. "When they take water with the palms of their hands, they naturally place themselves on their hams, to be nearer the water; but when they drink from a pitcher or gourd, fresh filled, they do not sit down on purpose to drink, but drink standing, and very often put the sleeve of their shirt over the mouth of the vessel, by way of strainer, lest small leeches might have been taken up with the water. For the same reason they often prefer taking the water with the palm of the hand to lapping it from the surface." From the letters of Busbequius we learn, that the Eastern people are not in the habit of drinking standing. The 300 men, who satisfied their thirst in the most expeditious manner, by this sufficiently indicated their spirit, and alacrity to follow Gideon in his dangerous enterprise; while the rest shewed their love of ease, self-indulgence, effeminacy, and want of courage. Judges 7:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:13 - make me thereof Psalms 110:7 - He shall

Verse 6

Reciprocal: Psalms 110:7 - He shall

Verse 7

Judges 7:18-22, 1 Samuel 14:6, Isaiah 41:14-16

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:4 - trumpets of rams' 1 Samuel 23:4 - for I will 1 Kings 20:15 - two hundred 1 Kings 22:36 - Every man 2 Chronicles 14:11 - nothing 2 Chronicles 25:8 - God hath power

Verse 8

trumpets: Judges 3:27, Leviticus 23:24, Leviticus 25:9, Numbers 10:9, Joshua 6:4, Joshua 6:20, Isaiah 27:13, 1 Corinthians 15:52

in the valley: Judges 6:33

Reciprocal: Judges 7:19 - they blew 1 Kings 20:27 - were all present 1 Kings 22:36 - Every man 2 Chronicles 23:13 - sounded

Verse 9

the same: Genesis 46:2, Genesis 46:3, Job 4:13, Job 33:15, Job 33:16, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:13, Acts 18:9, Acts 18:10, Acts 27:23

Arise: Joshua 1:5-9, Isaiah 41:10-16, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 43:2

I have delivered: Judges 3:10, Judges 3:28, Judges 4:14, Judges 4:15, 2 Chronicles 16:8, 2 Chronicles 16:9, 2 Chronicles 20:17

Reciprocal: Judges 20:28 - Go up 1 Samuel 14:8 - we will pass 2 Kings 13:17 - The arrow 1 Chronicles 14:15 - then thou

Verse 10

Judges 4:8, Judges 4:9, Exodus 4:10-14

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 26:6 - Who will go Acts 10:7 - two

Verse 11

thou shalt: Judges 7:13-15, Genesis 24:14, 1 Samuel 14:8, 1 Samuel 14:12

thine hands: 1 Samuel 23:16, Ezra 6:22, Nehemiah 6:9, Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, Philippians 4:13

armed men: or, ranks by five, Exodus 13:18, *marg.

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:12 - token 1 Samuel 10:9 - and all those signs 1 Samuel 14:10 - this shall be a sign 1 Samuel 26:6 - Who will go

Verse 12

the Midianites: Judges 6:3, Judges 6:5, Judges 6:33, 1 Kings 4:30

grasshoppers: Judges 8:10, 2 Chronicles 14:9-12, Psalms 3:1, Psalms 33:16, Psalms 118:10-12, Isaiah 8:9, Isaiah 8:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:1 - came Genesis 41:49 - General Joshua 11:4 - as the sand 1 Samuel 13:5 - as the sand 1 Kings 4:29 - as the sand Job 1:3 - men Isaiah 60:6 - multitude Jeremiah 46:23 - because Jeremiah 49:29 - camels Ezekiel 25:4 - men Habakkuk 1:9 - they shall gather Hebrews 11:12 - as the sand Revelation 9:3 - locusts Revelation 20:8 - the number

Verse 13

a cake: Judges 3:15, Judges 3:31, Judges 4:9, Judges 4:21, Judges 6:15, Isaiah 41:14, Isaiah 41:15, 1 Corinthians 1:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:14 - thereby Genesis 37:5 - dreamed Genesis 40:5 - General Genesis 40:9 - a vine Genesis 41:1 - that Pharaoh Exodus 3:12 - token Judges 7:11 - thou shalt Job 7:14 - thou scarest Daniel 4:9 - tell Jonah 1:7 - every 2 Corinthians 4:7 - in 2 Corinthians 10:4 - mighty

Verse 14

his fellow: Numbers 22:38, Numbers 23:5, Numbers 23:20, Numbers 24:10-13, Job 1:10

into his hand: Exodus 15:14, Exodus 15:15, Joshua 2:9, Joshua 2:24, Joshua 5:1, 2 Kings 7:6, 2 Kings 7:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:5 - dreamed Genesis 40:5 - General Genesis 40:12 - This Genesis 41:1 - that Pharaoh Exodus 3:12 - token Job 7:14 - thou scarest Jonah 1:7 - every 2 Corinthians 4:7 - in

Verse 15

interpretation thereof: Heb. breaking thereof, Genesis 40:8, Genesis 41:11

worshipped: Genesis 24:26, Genesis 24:27, Genesis 24:48, Exodus 4:30, Exodus 4:31, 2 Chronicles 20:18, 2 Chronicles 20:19

Arise: Judges 4:14, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:4 - trumpets of rams' Judges 3:28 - the Lord 1 Samuel 14:12 - Come up after me 2 Samuel 5:24 - thou shalt bestir 1 Chronicles 14:15 - then thou

Verse 16

three companies: This small number of men, thus divided, would be able to encompass the whole camp of the Midianites. Concealing the lamps in the pitchers, they would pass unobserved to their appointed stations; then, in the dead of the night, when most of the enemy were fast asleep, all at once breaking their pitchers one against another, with as much noise as they could, and blowing the trumpets and shouting; they would occasion an exceedingly great alarm. The obedience of faith alone could have induced such an expedient, which no doubt God directed Gideon to employ. - Scott.

a trumpet: Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them

empty: 2 Corinthians 4:7

lamps: or, fire-brands, or torches

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:9 - oppresseth Judges 7:19 - brake Judges 15:15 - slew 1 Samuel 11:11 - in three 1 Samuel 17:40 - staff 2 Samuel 18:2 - a third part 1 Kings 20:14 - young men 1 Kings 20:15 - two hundred 1 Corinthians 14:8 - General

Verse 17

Judges 9:48, Matthew 16:24, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Hebrews 13:7, 1 Peter 5:3

Reciprocal: Judges 3:28 - Follow

Verse 18

blow ye: Judges 7:20

the sword: The word cherev, "sword," necessarily implied, and rightly supplied by our venerable translators from Judges 7:20, is found in this place, in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, and in eight manuscripts; and evidently appears to be genuine. 1 Samuel 17:47, 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Reciprocal: Judges 7:7 - General Judges 9:48 - What ye 2 Chronicles 13:15 - as the men 2 Chronicles 23:13 - sounded

Verse 19

in the beginning: Exodus 14:24, Matthew 25:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Revelation 16:15

they blew: Judges 7:8

brake: Judges 7:16, Psalms 2:9, Jeremiah 13:13, Jeremiah 13:14, Jeremiah 19:1-11

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:8 - General Joshua 23:10 - One man 2 Samuel 18:2 - a third part Lamentations 2:19 - watches Hebrews 11:34 - out of

Verse 20

blew: How astonishing and overwhelming must the effect be, in a dark night, of the sudden glare of 300 torches, darting their splendour in the same instant on the half-awakened eyes of the terrified Midianites; accompanied with the clangor of 300 trumpets, alternately mingled with the thundering shout of cherav yehovah oolegidon, "The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon!" Numbers 10:1-10, Joshua 6:4, Joshua 6:16, Joshua 6:20, Isaiah 27:13, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16

brake: 2 Corinthians 4:7, Hebrews 11:4, 2 Peter 1:15

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:29 - the sword Joshua 6:5 - the people Judges 7:18 - blow ye 1 Kings 20:20 - the Syrians Jeremiah 13:14 - I will dash

Verse 21

stood: Exodus 14:13, Exodus 14:14, 2 Chronicles 20:17, Isaiah 30:7, Isaiah 30:15

all the host: Exodus 14:25, 2 Kings 7:6, 2 Kings 7:7, Job 15:21, Job 15:22, Proverbs 28:1

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:15 - there was trembling

Verse 22

blew: Joshua 6:4, Joshua 6:16, Joshua 6:20, 2 Corinthians 4:7

the Lord: 1 Samuel 14:16-20, 2 Chronicles 20:23, Psalms 83:9, Isaiah 9:4, Isaiah 19:2

in: or, toward

Zererath: Probably the same as Zartanah. 1 Kings 4:12

border: Heb. lip

Abelmeholah: Situated, according to Eusebius 16 miles south from Scythopolis, or Bethshan. 1 Kings 4:12, 1 Kings 19:16

Tabbath: Probably the town of חגחע, mentioned by Eusebius, 13 miles from Neapolis, or Shechem, towards Scythopolis.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:37 - they shall Deuteronomy 32:30 - one chase Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred Judges 9:20 - let fire come out 1 Samuel 14:20 - every man's 1 Samuel 18:19 - Meholathite 2 Chronicles 20:22 - to sing and to Isaiah 49:26 - I will feed Jeremiah 51:46 - ruler against Ezekiel 38:21 - every Haggai 2:22 - every Zechariah 14:13 - a great

Verse 23

Judges 6:35, 1 Samuel 14:21, 1 Samuel 14:22

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:30 - one chase 1 Samuel 17:52 - the men of Israel 1 Kings 20:21 - went out

Verse 24

sent: Judges 3:27, Romans 15:30, Philippians 1:27

take before: Judges 3:28, Judges 12:5

Bethbarah: Probably the same as Betha-bara, beyond Jordan, and at the ford where the Hebrews passed under the direction of Joshua. John 1:28

Reciprocal: Judges 6:33 - went over Judges 8:3 - God 2 Samuel 20:21 - a man

Verse 25

two princes: Judges 8:3, Psalms 83:11, Psalms 83:12

rock: Joshua 7:26, Isaiah 10:26

Oreb: Eusebius and Jerome speak of a small place called Araba, three miles west from Scythopolis, which is supposed by some to have had its name from Oreb.

and brought: Among ancient nations, the head of the conquered chief was usually brought to the conqueror. Thus Pompey's head was brought to Cesar, Cicero's head to Mark Anthony, and the heads of Ahab's children to Jehu. These barbarities are seldom practised now, except among the Mahommedans, or the savages of Africa and America; and for the credit of human nature, it is to be wished that such atrocities had never been committed.

on the other side: The words maiaiver lyyarden, may denote at the passage of Jordan, or from beyond Jordan. Gideon does not appear to have yet passed the Jordan. Judges 8:4