And when the three hundred rams' horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. When the three hundred trumpets soundedThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Gideon's battle against the Midianites. The number "three hundred" is significant, as it represents the small, divinely chosen group of warriors who were selected by God to deliver Israel. The use of "trumpets" (Hebrew: שׁוֹפָרוֹת, shofarot) is symbolic of divine intervention and warfare. In ancient Israel, the shofar was used to signal the presence of God and to call the people to battle or worship. The sounding of the trumpets here signifies the beginning of God's miraculous intervention. the LORD set the sword of one against another throughout the camp
This phrase highlights the divine orchestration of chaos within the Midianite camp. The "LORD" (Hebrew: יְהוָה, Yahweh) is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal involvement and faithfulness to Israel. The phrase "set the sword of one against another" indicates a supernatural confusion and panic induced by God, causing the Midianites to turn on each other. This reflects the biblical theme that victory comes not by human might, but by the power of God (Zechariah 4:6). and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah
The mention of specific locations such as "Beth-shittah" and "Zererah" provides historical and geographical context. These places were likely situated in the Jezreel Valley, a strategic location in ancient Israel. The flight of the Midianite army to these locations underscores their complete disarray and defeat. Archaeological evidence suggests that this region was a frequent battleground, adding historical credibility to the narrative. as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath
The reference to "Abel-meholah" and "Tabbath" further delineates the extent of the Midianite retreat. Abel-meholah is known as the birthplace of the prophet Elisha (1 Kings 19:16), indicating its significance in Israel's history. The mention of these locations not only provides a geographical boundary for the narrative but also serves to highlight the totality of the Midianite defeat. This complete rout is a testament to God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promise to Gideon. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonThe judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. He led a small army of 300 men against a vast Midianite force. 2. The LORDThe God of Israel, who orchestrated the victory by causing confusion among the Midianites, leading them to turn on each other. 3. MidianitesThe oppressors of Israel at the time, who were defeated through divine intervention and Gideon's leadership. 4. Beth-shittah, Zererah, Abel-meholah, TabbathLocations mentioned in the passage that mark the route of the Midianite retreat, highlighting the extent of their defeat. 5. The Three HundredThe select group of men chosen by God to accompany Gideon, emphasizing the theme of God's power being made perfect in weakness. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in BattleGod is in control of all situations, and His plans will prevail regardless of human strength or numbers. Faith Over FearGideon's account encourages believers to trust in God's power rather than their own abilities or resources. Divine StrategyGod's methods may seem unconventional, but they are always perfect and lead to His glory. Unity and ObedienceThe 300 men followed Gideon's lead without question, demonstrating the importance of unity and obedience in achieving God's purposes. Victory Through WeaknessGod often uses the weak and the few to accomplish His will, reminding us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Gideon's victory in Judges 7:22 demonstrate God's power and sovereignty? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "faith over fear" in our daily lives, as seen in Gideon's account? 3. How does the confusion among the Midianites relate to other biblical accounts of God causing confusion among His enemies? 4. What can we learn from the obedience and unity of Gideon's 300 men, and how can we apply this in our church communities? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate. How can Gideon's account encourage you to rely on God's strength in similar situations? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 14:24-25Similar divine intervention is seen when God confuses the Egyptian army during the Exodus, leading to their defeat. 1 Samuel 14:20Jonathan and his armor-bearer attack the Philistines, and God causes confusion in the enemy camp, leading to victory. 2 Chronicles 20:22-23Jehoshaphat's army witnesses God setting ambushes against their enemies, causing them to destroy each other. People Abel, Amalek, Amalekites, Asher, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Oreb, Phurah, ZeebPlaces Abel-meholah, Beth-barah, Beth-shittah, Harod, Jordan River, Midian, Mount Gilead, Ophrah, Tabbath, ZererahTopics Abel, Abelmeholah, Abel-meholah, A'bel-meho'lah, Army, Beth, Bethshittah, Beth-shittah, Beth-shit'tah, Blew, Blow, Border, Brother, Camp, Caused, Companion, Direction, Edge, Fellow, Fled, Fleeth, Flight, Horns, Host, Hundred, Loud, Man's, Meholah, Note, Setteth, Shittah, Sounded, Sword, Swords, Tabbath, Throughout, Trumpets, Turn, Zeredah, Zererah, Zer'erah, Zererath, ZererothDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:22 1305 God, activity of
4045 chaos Judges 7:15-22 5597 victory, act of God Judges 7:16-22 5595 trumpet Judges 7:19-22 5290 defeat Judges 7:20-22 5572 sword Judges 7:22-8:3 7266 tribes of Israel Library A Great victory
TEXT: "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp, and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."--Judges 7:21. Few things in this world are so inspiring to the traveler and at the same time so depressing as a city or temple in ruins. I remember a delightful experience in passing through the ruins of Karnak and Luxor, on the Nile in Egypt, and later passing through Phylae at Assuan on the Nile; and these two thoughts, each the opposite of the other, kept constantly coming to my mind. …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotAugust 18. "The Three Hundred Blew the Trumpets" (Judges vii. 22).
"The three hundred blew the trumpets" (Judges vii. 22). We little dream, sometimes, what a hasty word, a thoughtless speech, an imprudent act, or a confession of unbelief and fear may do to hinder our highest usefulness, or turn it aside from some great opportunity which God has been preparing for us. Although the Holy Ghost uses weak men, He does not want them to be weak after He chooses and calls them. Although He uses the foolish things to confound the wise, He does not want us to be foolish after …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth 'Fit, Though Few'
'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. 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. 3. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture A Battle Without a Sword
'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. 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. 15, And it was so, when Gideon heard the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
1801-1832 The Bible Carey's missionary weapon--Other vernacular translators--Carey's modest but just description of his labours--His philological key--Type-cutting and type-casting by a Hindoo blacksmith--The first manufacture of paper and steam-engines in the East--Carey takes stock of the translation work at the opening of 1808--In his workshop--A seminary of Bible translators--William Yates, shoemaker, the Coverdale of the Bengali Bible--Wenger--A Bengali Luther wanted--Carey's Bengali Bible--How …
George Smith—The Life of William Carey The New Convert.
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns Whether Divination by Auguries, Omens, and by Like Observations of External Things is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by auguries, omens, and by like observations of external things is not unlawful. If it were unlawful holy men would not make use thereof. Now we read of Joseph that he paid attention to auguries, for it is related (Gn. 44:5) that Joseph's steward said: "The cup which you have stolen is that in which my lord drinketh and in which he is wont to divine [augurari]": and he himself afterwards said to his brethren (Gn. 44:15): "Know you not that there is no one …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Fear is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that fear is not a mortal sin. For, as stated above ([3323]FS, Q[23], A[1]), fear is in the irascible faculty which is a part of the sensuality. Now there is none but venial sin in the sensuality, as stated above ([3324]FS, Q[74], A[4]). Therefore fear is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, every mortal sin turns the heart wholly from God. But fear does not this, for a gloss on Judges 7:3, "Whosoever is fearful," etc., says that "a man is fearful when he trembles at the …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Immanuel
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name IMMANUEL , God with us. T here is a signature of wisdom and power impressed upon the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendour of the sun, but the glimmering light of the glow-worm proclaims His glory. The structure and growth of a blade of grass, are the effects of the same power which produced the fabric of the heavens and the earth. In His Word likewise He is …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 7:22 NIVJudges 7:22 NLTJudges 7:22 ESVJudges 7:22 NASBJudges 7:22 KJV
Judges 7:22 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
