Judges 7

King James Version

Full text for Judges Chapter 7

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.

2And 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.

3Now 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.

4And 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.

5So 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.

6And 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.

7And 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.

8So 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.

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.

10But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:

11And 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.

12And 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.

13And 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.

14And 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.

15And 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.

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.

17And 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.

18When 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.

19So 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.

20And 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.

21And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

22And 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.

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.

24And 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.

25And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Gideon's army is drastically reduced by divine command from 32,000 to 300 men, ensuring God receives the glory for the impending victory. Encouraged by overhearing a Midianite's prophetic dream, Gideon leads his small force in a unique night assault. They use trumpets, broken pitchers, and lamps to create confusion, causing the vast Midianite host to turn upon themselves and flee. Israelite tribes then pursue and defeat the remaining Midianites, capturing their princes.

Medium Summary

Gideon initially gathers 32,000 men to fight the Midianites, but the LORD declares this number too great, fearing Israel would claim victory by their own strength. Through two divine tests, the army is reduced first to 10,000, then to a mere 300 men, chosen by their method of drinking water. Before the battle, the LORD encourages Gideon by having him overhear a Midianite soldier's dream and its interpretation, confirming God's hand in the impending victory. Gideon then divides his 300 men into three companies, arming them with trumpets, empty pitchers, and hidden lamps. At his signal, they simultaneously blow trumpets, break pitchers to reveal the lights, and shout, "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon." This sudden, disorienting assault causes the Midianite host to panic, turning their swords against one another and fleeing in disarray. Other Israelite tribes are then called upon to pursue the scattered enemy, capturing and slaying the Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, and his initial army of 32,000 men encamped against the vast Midianite host. The LORD intervenes, declaring the army too numerous, lest Israel boast of self-salvation. Consequently, 22,000 fearful men are sent home, leaving 10,000. Still, the LORD deems this number excessive and instructs Gideon to bring the remaining men to the water for a further test. Only 300 men lap the water with their hands to their mouths, like dogs, while the rest kneel to drink. The LORD then selects these 300 to deliver Israel, sending the others home. That night, the LORD commands Gideon to descend to the Midianite camp, promising victory. To bolster Gideon's courage, he is permitted to take his servant Phurah. There, Gideon overhears a Midianite soldier recounting a dream of a barley cake overturning a tent, which his comrade interprets as God delivering Midian into Gideon's hand. This divine confirmation strengthens Gideon's faith, and he returns to the Israelite camp, proclaiming the LORD's deliverance. Gideon then strategically divides his 300 men into three companies, equipping each with a trumpet, an empty pitcher, and a lamp concealed within. He instructs them to observe and imitate his actions. At the beginning of the middle watch, Gideon and his company initiate the assault by blowing trumpets and shattering their pitchers, revealing the lamps. The other two companies follow suit, and all 300 men simultaneously blow their trumpets, break their pitchers, hold up their lamps, and cry, "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon." The overwhelming noise, sudden light, and unified shout cause immense panic among the Midianites, who, in their confusion, turn their swords against each other and flee. The scattered Midianites are then pursued by men from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh. Gideon also dispatches messengers to Ephraim, urging them to secure the water crossings, and the men of Ephraim successfully capture and slay the Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb, bringing their heads to Gideon.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Reduction of ForcesThe LORD intentionally reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men. This drastic reduction ensures that the victory is clearly attributed to God's power, preventing Israel from boasting in their own strength.
  • The Test at the WaterGod uses a unique method of drinking water to select the final 300 soldiers. Those who lapped water like dogs, remaining alert, were chosen over those who knelt to drink, demonstrating a practical readiness for battle.
  • Divine Encouragement through DreamsBefore the battle, Gideon is encouraged by overhearing a Midianite soldier's dream and its interpretation. This supernatural confirmation of impending victory strengthens Gideon's resolve and faith.
  • Psychological WarfareGideon's strategy involves trumpets, broken pitchers, and lamps to create a sudden, overwhelming sensory assault. This tactic exploits the Midianites' vast numbers, causing confusion and self-inflicted chaos rather than direct combat.
  • The Sword of the LORD, and of GideonThis battle cry emphasizes that the victory is primarily God's, with Gideon as His instrument. It serves as both a declaration of divine intervention and a rallying cry for the Israelite forces.
  • Midianite Confusion and RoutThe Midianite host, though vastly superior in number, is thrown into such disarray by Gideon's tactics that they turn their swords upon each other. This highlights the effectiveness of God's chosen strategy.
  • Pursuit and Capture of PrincesFollowing the initial rout, other Israelite tribes are called to pursue the fleeing Midianites. This pursuit culminates in the capture and slaying of the Midianite princes, Oreb and Zeeb, signifying a decisive victory.