1.
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Reciprocal: Psalms 110:7 - He shall
7.
And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
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
8.
So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
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
9.
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
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
10.
But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:
Judges 4:8, Judges 4:9, Exodus 4:10-14
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 26:6 - Who will go Acts 10:7 - two
11.
And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
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
12.
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
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
13.
And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
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
14.
And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
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
15.
And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
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
16.
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.
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
17.
And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.
Judges 9:48, Matthew 16:24, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Hebrews 13:7, 1 Peter 5:3
Reciprocal: Judges 3:28 - Follow
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
21.
And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.
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
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 Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.
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
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.
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
24.
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.
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
25.
And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
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