Jdg 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.
The well of Harod - literally of trembling, evidently so called from the people who were afraid Jdg_7:3. The fountain in question may have had its name from the terror and panic with which the Midianitish host was seized at this place.
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon - It appears that Jerubbaal was now a name of Gideon, from the circumstance mentioned. That being the name his father had lately given him, Jdg_6:32 And on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal contend against him because he has thrown down his altar.
by the hill of Moreh, in the valley - the valley of Jezreel . Some think this hill had its name from the Midianite archers; but others say from there being a watch here to direct the ways, or to give notice to the inhabitants of the valley when an army came against them; though some take it to be a school of some eminent teacher in those days.
Jdg 7:2 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.
The people that are with thee are too many - The army of the Israelites amounted to 32,000 men (Jdg_7:4), but that of the Midianites and their allies was about 135,000 (Jdg_8:10), so that they were greatly superior to the Israelites in numbers. Nevertheless the Lord said to Gideon, “The people that are with thee are too many for me to give Midian into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, My hand hath helped me.”
lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, mine own hand hath saved me - or glory over me, take the glory from me, and ascribe it to themselves, boasting that by their power and prowess they had obtained the victory.
Jdg 7:3 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.
Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people - Such a proclamation as follows, was, according to the law of God, to be made when Israel went out to battle against their enemies, Deu_20:8 And the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, Who is the man that is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brothers' heart faint as well as his heart; though it looks as if Gideon would not have made such proclamation, had he not been directed to it by the Lord.
Mount Gilead - Not mount Gilead beyond Jordan ; for both the camps of the Israelites and the Midianites were on this side Jordan: but another mount Gilead in the tribe of Manasseh.
There returned of the people - These finding their whole army very small, in comparison of their enemies, who were a hundred and thirty five thousand, Jdg_8:10, and they, no doubt well armed and disciplined, and encouraged by long success; whereas the Israelites were dispirited with long servitude, and many of them unarmed, lost the courage which they had at first. But in the case before us the intention of the Lord was to deprive His people of all ground for self-glorification. Hence the result of the appeal was one which Gideon himself certainly did not expect, - namely, that more than two-thirds of the soldiers gathered round him - 22,000 men of the people - turned back, and only 10,000 remained.
Jdg 7:4 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.
I will try them - The word used for refining metals by separating the dross from the pure ore. They who threw themselves on the ground and drank freely were perhaps the more self-indulgent; while they who, remembering the near presence of the enemy, slaked their thirst with moderation, and without being off their guard for an instant, were the true soldiers of the army of God. This trial was only for the sake of Gideon, to direct him whom he should take with him, and whom not:
the people are yet too many - Though they were but just the number that Barak had with him, when he attacked Sisera's army and got the victory, which yet was ascribed to God, whose hand was manifestly seen in it; but they were too many for God to have that glory he intended to display in this victory:
Jdg 7:5 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.
Everyone that lappeth of the water with his tongue - to take the water from the brook with the hollow of their hand, and lap it into the mouth with their tongue as a dog does. The 300 men who quenched their thirst in this manner did not allow themselves time to kneel down and satisfy their thirst in the most convenient manner, but simply took up some water with their hands as they stood in their military accoutrements, to strengthen themselves for the battle, and then proceeded without delay against the foe.
Jdg 7:6 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.
The number of them that lapped - From this account it appears that some of the people went down on their knees, and putting their mouths to the water, sucked up what they needed; the others stooped down, and taking up water in the hollow of their hands, applied it to their mouth.
Jdg 7:7 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.
Each man to his place - That is, to his own home. After his fighting men had been divided into a small handful of 300 men on the one hand, and the large host of 9700 on the other, by the fulfillment of the command of God, the Lord required of him that he should send away the latter, to his own home, promising that He would save Israel by the 300 men, and deliver the Midianites into their hand. The promise preceded the command, to render it easier to Gideon to obey it.
Jdg 7:8 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.
So the people took victuals - The three hundred men that he reserved took the victuals necessary for the day’s expenditure, while the others were dismissed to their tents and their houses as they thought proper. And from hence it appears, that these three hundred that were ordered to stay and go with Gideon were unarmed men, at least could carry no arms in their hands; for in one hand they carried their victuals, and in the other hand their trumpets, so that the salvation wrought by them would most clearly appear to be of the Lord:
and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent - not to his tent in the army, but to his own house, in the tribe and city to which he belonged: and retained these three hundred men; that had lapped water, to engage with the Midianites and their associates:
Jdg 7:9 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.
Jdg 7:10 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:
Jdg 7:11 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.
Unto the outside of the armed men - No doubt the vast multitudes were wholly unarmed; but they had a guard of armed men, and those guards were on the outside of the multitudes; it was to these that Gideon and his servant came.
Unto the outside of the armed men - signifies the outermost or foremost of the outposts in the enemy's camp, which contained not only fighting men, but the whole of the baggage of the enemy, who had invaded the land as nomads.
Jdg 7:12 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.
like locusts for multitude - an hyperbolical expression, setting forth the great number of them, which usually come in great numbers, and cover the air and the sun where they fly, and the earth where they light, as they did the land of Egypt ; this army consisted at least of 135,000 men.
Jdg 7:13 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 of barley bread - such a cake as could hardly be eaten by men, it was so vile: a term expressive of the contempt of the Midianites for the people of Israel . Barley was usually the food of the poor, and of beasts; but most probably, from the widespread destruction of the crops by the invaders, multitudes must have been reduced to poor and scanty fare.
Told a dream - Both the dream and the interpretation were inspired by God for the purpose of increasing the confidence of Gideon, and appalling his enemies.
and came unto a tent – or the tent. Likely the largest and most magnificent in the host.
Jdg 7:14 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.
This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon - The word rendered tumbled in Jdg_7:13, is rather descriptive of a sword brandished. Hence, the interpretation “the sword of Gideon.” Hearing this dream and the interpretation would convince Gideon that he was indeed under the guidance of God, and so assure him of God’s aid; and secondly, it would show him that a panic had already fallen npon the mind of the enemy.
a man of Israel - namely, a courageous mighty man, and the very name of him might strike with terror: It appears from hence that Gideon's name was well known in the camp of Midian, what was his descent, and his character as a valiant man.
Jdg 7:15 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.
and the interpretation thereof - Or, "the breaking of it"; the dream itself being like something closed up and sealed, and the interpretation of it was like the breaking of a seal, and discovering what is hid under it; or like a nut, the kernel of which cannot be come at till the shell is broken:
he worshipped--The incident originated in the secret overruling providence of God, and Gideon, from his expression of pious gratitude, regarded it as such.
Jdg 7:16 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.
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies - One hundred in a company, partly to make the better figure, a show of an army, with a right and left wing, and partly that they might fall upon the camp of Midian in different parts: The object of dividing his forces was, that they might seem to be surrounding the enemy.
And he divided the three hundred men into 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.
and he put a trumpet in every man's hand - when they blew them together, the noise would be very great; and it would seem as if they were an exceeding great army, and so very much terrify their enemies:
with empty pitchers, and lamps with the pitchers - the pitchers were of earth, and so easily broken, and would make a great noise when clashed against each other; and the lamps put in them were not of oil; for then, when the pitchers were broken, the oil would have run out; but were a kind of torches, made of rosin, wax, pitch, and such like things; and these were put into the pitcher, partly to preserve them from the wind, and chiefly to conceal them from the enemy, till just they came upon them, and then held them out; which in a dark night would make a terrible blaze, as before they served to give them light down the hill into the camp. The sleepers started from their rest; not a blow was dealt by the Israelites; but the enemy ran tumultuously, uttering the wild, discordant cries. They fought indiscriminately, not knowing friend from foe. The panic being universal, they soon precipitately fled, directing their flight down to the Jordan, by the foot of the mountains of Ephraim, to places known as the "house of the acacia" [Beth-shittah], and "the meadow of the dance" [Abel-meholah].
This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, the sounding that trumpet, and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the gospel, 2Co_4:6, 2Co_4:7. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a barley-cake to overthrow the tents of Midian, that the excellency of the power might be of God only. The gospel is a sword, not in the hand, but in the mouth: the sword of the Lord and of Gideon; of God and Jesus Christ, of Him that sits on the throne and the Lamb.
Jdg 7:17 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.
And he said unto them, look on me, and do likewise - Observe what I do, and do the same, in blowing a trumpet, breaking a pitcher, and shouting with the words expressed by him: a trumpet was not to be blown, nor a pitcher broken, nor a torch held out, nor a word spoken, till just they came to the outside of the camp: and then they were to observe the motions of Gideon, and do as he did.
Jdg 7:18 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.
The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon - The word chereb, “sword,” is not found in this verse, though it is necessarily implied, and is found in Jdg_7:20. The word cherev, “sword,” necessarily implied, and rightly supplied by our venerable translators from Jdg_7:20, is found in this place, in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, and in eight manuscripts; and evidently appears to be genuine. 1Sa_17:47; 2Ch_20:15-17
and say, the sword of the Lord, and of Gideon - or "for the Lord, and for Gideon"; and which may be supplied, either the light is for the Lord, and for Gideon; or the victory is for the Lord, and for Gideon; we supply it from Jdg_7:20. The name Jehovah, these Heathens had often heard, as the God of Israel, would now be dreadful to them, and the name of Gideon also; whose name, as appears by the interpretation of the dream, was terrible among them; for which reason Gideon added it, and not out of arrogance and vanity; and puts it after the name of the Lord, as being only an instrument the Lord thought fit to make use of, otherwise all the glory belonged to him.
When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me - He being at the head of one of the three companies, Jdg_7:19 perhaps the middlemost, which might stand for the body of the army; and the other two be one to the right and the other to the left of him, and so could more easily discover his motions:
Of Gideon - He mentions his own name, together with God's, not out of arrogance, as if he would equal himself with God; but from prudent policy, because his name was grown formidable to them, and so was likely to further his design. See Jdg_7:14.
Jdg 7:19 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.
The middle watch - The old Jewish division of the night was three watches of four hours each. They are alluded to in Exo_14:24; 1Sa_11:11; Psa_63:6; Psa_90:4; Psa_119:148; Psa_130:6; Lam_2:19. After the Jews fell under the power of the Romans, they used the Roman division of four watches of three hours each Mat_14:25; Mar_13:35. The beginning of the watch would be about eleven o’clock at night.
at the beginning of the middle watch - at midnight . The only other watch that is mentioned in the Old Testament beside the middle night-watch, is the morning night-watch (Exo_14:24; 1Sa_11:11), from which it has been correctly inferred, that the Israelites divided the night into three night-watches. The division into four watches (Mat_14:25; Mar_6:48) was first adopted by the Jews from the Romans. When the first sentries were relieved, and the second posted, so that they thought they might make quite sure of their night's rest once more, Gideon and his host arrived at the end of the camp, and, as we must supply from the context, the other two hosts at two other ends of the camp, who all blew their trumpets, breaking the pitchers in their hands at the same time.
Jdg 7:20 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.
the sword of the Lord and of Gideon - signifying that was drawn against the Midianites, and they must expect to be cut in pieces by it, since the sword was Jehovah's, sent and commissioned by him, and was put into the hand of Gideon as an instrument, with which execution would be done, the Lord helping him.
Jdg 7:21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.
They stood every man in his place - The effect to the Midianites would be, that they were surrounded by a mighty host. Their own camp being in darkness, as soon as the confusion of flight began they would mistake friends for foes, and fleers for pursuers. When once fighting had begun by the first casual mistake, the clashing of swords and the shouts of the combatants in the camp, accompanied by the continuous blowing of Gideon’s trumpets outside, would make it appear that the whole of the enemy was in the camp. Suspicion of treachery on the part of their allies would also be likely to arise in their minds.
They stood every man in his place - To see the salvation of God, and that it might most clearly appear to be his own doing. They stood as if they had been torch - bearers to the several companies.
Jdg 7:22 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 Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
Beth-shittah - “House of the acacias.” This is no where else mentioned in Scripture.
Zererath - This and Tabbath are nowhere else to be found.
Abel-meholah - This was the birth-place of the prophet Elisha, 1Ki_19:16. It was beyond Jordan , in the tribe of Manasseh, 1Ki_4:12. The Zartanah, mentioned in this last quoted verse, was probably the same as Zererath. Its situation corresponds well with Abel-meholah.
And the three hundred men blew the trumpets - Kept blowing them to continue and increase the terror of the enemy, and still held the lamps in their hands, and stood as torch bearers to light the Midianites and their associates to destroy one another.
and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow - either suspecting treachery and so in revenge, wrath, and indignation, drew their swords on each other; or through the terror and amazement they were in at the sounds they heard, and the blazing torches dazzling their eyes, they knew not what they did, or who they fell upon, taking their friends for foes, supposing the Israelites were got into their camp; and the rather they might be led into this mistake, since there were people of different languages among them; but the thing was of God, it was He that took away their reason and judgment from them, and infatuated them, and filled their imaginations with such strange apprehensions of things; and threw into their minds such terror and amazement, and directed them to point their swords at one another:
Jdg 7:23 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.
The men of Israel gathered - It is very likely that these were some persons whom Gideon had sent home the day before, both those that were fearful, and those that bowed their knees to drink, who now hearing that the Midianites were routed, went immediately in pursuit.
Jdg 7:24 And 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.
Take before them the waters unto Beth-barah - The streams which run from the mountain district of Ephraim into the Jordan in the district of Beth-shan, forming great pools and marshes, which the Midianites fleeing south would have to cross before they could reach the Jordan fords. To this place the Midianites directed their flight that they might escape into their own country; and here, being met by the Ephraimites, they appear to have been totally overthrown, and their two generals taken.
All the men of Ephraim - They had taken no previous part in the rising against Midian: nor had Gideon, of the smaller tribe of Manasseh, presumed before to summon his more powerful brethren of the great tribe of Ephraim.
Jdg 7:25 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.
They slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb - These two generals had taken shelter, one in the cavern of the rock, the other in the vat of a winepress; both of which places were from this circumstance, afterwards called by their names. The rock of Oreb is only mentioned again in Isa_10:26 And Jehovah of hosts shall stir up a whip on him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as His rod was on the sea, so shall He lift it up in the way of Egypt, when the prophet alludes to this celebrated victory.
Brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon - Oreb signifies a raven and Zeeb a wolf. In all ancient nations we find generals and princes taking their names from both birds and beasts. Among barbarous nations the head of the conquered chief was often brought to the conqueror.
On the other side Jordan - does not mean “from the other side of the Jordan,” but simply “on the other side of (beyond) the Jordan,” as in Jos_13:32; Jos_18:7; 1Ki_14:15; and the statement here is not that the Ephraimites brought the heads from the other side to Gideon on the west of the river, but that they brought them to Gideon when he was in the land to the east of the Jordan. This explanation of the words is required by the context, as well as by the foregoing remark, “they pursued Midian,” according to which the Ephraimites continued the pursuit of the Midianites after slaying these princes, and also by the complaint brought against Gideon by the Ephraimites, which is not mentioned till afterwards (Jdg_8:1.), that he had not summoned them to the war. It is true, this is given before the account of Gideon's crossing over the Jordan (Jdg_8:4), but in order of time it did not take place till afterwards, and the historical sequence is somewhat anticipated.
