Judges 6:2
New International Version
Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds.

New Living Translation
The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.

English Standard Version
And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

Berean Standard Bible
and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.

King James Bible
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

New King James Version
and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.

New American Standard Bible
The power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

NASB 1995
The power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

NASB 1977
And the power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

Amplified Bible
The [powerful] hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens (hideouts) which were in the mountains, and the caves and the [mountain] strongholds.

Christian Standard Bible
and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.

American Standard Version
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds.

Contemporary English Version
The Midianites were so cruel that many Israelites ran to the mountains and hid in caves.

English Revised Version
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of Midian the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strong holds.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Midian's power was too strong for Israel. The Israelites made hiding places in the mountains, caves, and mountain strongholds [to protect themselves] from Midian.

Good News Translation
The Midianites were stronger than Israel, and the people of Israel hid from them in caves and other safe places in the hills.

International Standard Version
Midian's control predominated throughout Israel, and because of Midian the Israelis went out to find temporary hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and fortified places.

Majority Standard Bible
and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.

NET Bible
The Midianites overwhelmed Israel. Because of Midian the Israelites made shelters for themselves in the hills, as well as caves and strongholds.

New Heart English Bible
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made for themselves the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

World English Bible
The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made themselves the dens which are in the mountains, the caves, and the strongholds.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the hand of Midian is strong against Israel, [so] the sons of Israel have made for themselves the nooks which [are] in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds [to hide] from the presence of Midian.

Young's Literal Translation
and the hand of Midian is strong against Israel, from the presence of Midian have the sons of Israel made for themselves the flowings which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the hand of Midian will be strong upon Israel: from the face of Midian the sons of Israel made to them clefts which are in the mountains, and caves and fastnesses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they were grievously oppressed by them. And they made themselves dens and eaves in the mountains, and strong holds to resist.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they were greatly oppressed by them. And they made for themselves hollows and caves in the mountains, and very fortified places for defense.

New American Bible
so that Midian held Israel subject. From fear of Midian the Israelites made dens in the mountains, the caves, and the strongholds.

New Revised Standard Version
The hand of Midian prevailed over Israel; and because of Midian the Israelites provided for themselves hiding places in the mountains, caves and strongholds.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the hand of the Midianites prevailed against Israel, in that they fled from before the Midianites; and the children of Israel made for themselves dens in the mountains, and caves, and sheepfolds.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the hand of the Midianites was hard on Israel and they fled from before the Midianites and the sons of Israel made houses for themselves in the mountains and caves and sheepfolds
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the hand of Madiam prevailed against Israel: and the children of Israel made for themselves because of Madiam the caves in the mountains, and the dens, and the holes in the rocks.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Midian Oppresses Israel
1Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, 2and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3Whenever the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them,…

Cross References
Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

1 Samuel 13:6
Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.

Joshua 23:13
know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

2 Kings 6:2
Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha.

Psalm 106:42-43
Their enemies oppressed them and subdued them under their hand. / Many times He rescued them, but they were bent on rebellion and sank down in their iniquity.

Isaiah 10:20-27
On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but they will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. / A remnant will return—a remnant of Jacob—to the Mighty God. / Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness. ...

Nehemiah 9:27
So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Deuteronomy 28:52-57
They will besiege all the cities throughout your land, until the high and fortified walls in which you trust have fallen. They will besiege all your cities throughout the land that the LORD your God has given you. / Then you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you. / The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived, ...

Romans 8:35-37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Exodus 1:13-14
They worked the Israelites ruthlessly / and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.

2 Chronicles 15:5-6
In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. / Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity.

Lamentations 1:3
Judah has gone into exile under affliction and harsh slavery; she dwells among the nations but finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in the midst of her distress.

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Jeremiah 4:29
Every city flees at the sound of the horseman and archer. They enter the thickets and climb among the rocks. Every city is abandoned; no inhabitant is left.


Treasury of Scripture

And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

the hand

Leviticus 16:17
And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

Deuteronomy 28:47,48
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; …

prevailed.

1 Samuel 13:6
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

1 Samuel 14:11
And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

Hebrews 11:38
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Jump to Previous
Caves Children Dens Hand Holds Holes Hollows Israel Israelites Midian Mid'ian Midianites Mountain Mountains Oppressive Power Prepared Presence Prevailed Rocks Shelters Strong Strongholds Themselves
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Caves Children Dens Hand Holds Holes Hollows Israel Israelites Midian Mid'ian Midianites Mountain Mountains Oppressive Power Prepared Presence Prevailed Rocks Shelters Strong Strongholds Themselves
Judges 6
1. The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian
8. A prophet rebukes them
11. An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance
17. Gideon's present is consumed with fire
24. Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom
28. Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal
33. Gideon's army
36. Gideon's signs














The hand of Midian
The phrase "the hand of Midian" signifies the power and control that the Midianites exerted over Israel. In Hebrew, "hand" (יָד, yad) often symbolizes strength or power. Historically, the Midianites were a nomadic people who frequently raided Israel, as seen in the broader narrative of Judges. This oppression was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience to God, serving as a divine instrument of discipline. Theologically, it reminds us of the sovereignty of God, who uses even adversaries to fulfill His purposes and bring His people back to repentance.

prevailed against Israel
The term "prevailed" indicates dominance and victory. In the context of Judges, this reflects a period of severe oppression where the Israelites were subjugated and impoverished. The Hebrew root for "prevailed" (חָזַק, chazaq) conveys the idea of being strong or firm. This historical period was marked by Israel's spiritual decline, and the Midianite oppression was a consequence of their idolatry and abandonment of God's covenant. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the need for national and personal repentance.

because of Midian
This phrase highlights the direct cause of Israel's distress. The Midianites were relentless in their raids, which led to widespread fear and insecurity among the Israelites. Historically, the Midianites' tactics included destroying crops and livestock, which devastated Israel's economy and sustenance. This situation underscores the vulnerability of a nation that has strayed from God's protection and the importance of seeking His guidance and deliverance.

the Israelites made for themselves the dens in the mountains
The Israelites' response to the Midianite threat was to seek refuge in "dens in the mountains." The Hebrew word for "dens" (מְעָרוֹת, me'arot) suggests hiding places or shelters. This reflects a time of desperation and survival, where the Israelites were forced to abandon their homes and live in seclusion. Archaeologically, evidence of such hideouts has been found, indicating the historical reality of these events. Spiritually, this act of hiding symbolizes the loss of freedom and peace that comes from disobedience to God.

the caves
The use of "caves" further emphasizes the extent of Israel's plight. Caves (מְעָרוֹת, me'arot) were natural refuges, offering protection from enemies. In biblical symbolism, caves often represent places of refuge or encounter with God, as seen in the accounts of David and Elijah. However, in this context, they signify the dire circumstances and fear that gripped Israel. This imagery calls believers to reflect on the spiritual caves we might retreat to when faced with the consequences of sin, and the need to seek God's deliverance.

and the strongholds
The term "strongholds" (מִצְדוֹת, mitzadot) refers to fortified places of defense. These were likely makeshift fortifications constructed to withstand Midianite attacks. Historically, such strongholds were essential for survival during times of conflict. Spiritually, this highlights the human tendency to rely on physical defenses rather than seeking God's protection. It serves as a reminder that true security and strength come from trusting in the Lord, who is our ultimate stronghold and refuge.

(2) The hand of Midian prevailed.--See Judges 3:10. This oppression is wholly different from that with which we have been dealing in the last chapter. That was the last great attempt of the old inhabitants to recover their lost country; this is a foreign invasion.

The dens which are in the mountains.--The word mineharoth, rendered dens (LXX., mandrai), occurs here only. Rashi and Kimchi render it, "caves lighted from above," deriving it from neharah, "light" (Job 3:4). They were probably thinking of the subterranean galleries like those found by Wetzstein in the Hauran (p. 45). R. Tanchum and others take it to mean fire-signals. But the more probable derivation is nahar, "a river," and then the meaning is "torrent-gullies," which they easily converted into places of concealment, since the limestone hills of Palestine abound in caves. Josephus understood it to mean mines and caverns (Antt. v. 6. ? 1). (Comp. 1Samuel 13:6 : "When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits." Hebrews 11:38 : "in dens and caves of the earth.") Three places of hiding are mentioned: (1) The mineharoth, perhaps catacombs and galleries in the rocks, which, as the article shows, were pointed out long afterwards. (2) Craggy peaks, like Rimmon, Magada, &c. (3) "Limestone caves, here first mentioned, and afterwards often used, like the Corycian cave in Greece during the Persian invasion, and the caves of the Asturias in Spain during the occupation of the Moors. It was returning to the old troglodyte habits of the Horites and Phoenicians" (Stanley, i. 340). These caves were used, long afterwards, by the brigands whom Herod and the Romans found it so hard to extirpate.

Verse 2. - The dens... and caves. In the writer's time certain hiding-places called by the above names were traditionally known as the places where the Israelites took refuge during the terrible Midianite invasion. The limestone hills of Palestine abounded in such caves.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and the hand
יַד־ (yaḏ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of Midian
מִדְיָ֖ן (miḏ·yān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4080: Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled

prevailed
וַתָּ֥עָז (wat·tā·‘āz)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5810: To be strong

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

Because of
מִפְּנֵ֨י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the Midianites,
מִדְיָ֜ן (miḏ·yān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4080: Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

prepared
עָשֽׂוּ (‘ā·śū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

shelters
הַמִּנְהָרוֹת֙ (ham·min·hā·rō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4492: A channel, fissure, a cavern

for themselves
לָהֶ֣ם ׀ (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

in the mountains,
בֶּֽהָרִ֔ים (be·hā·rîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

caves,
הַמְּעָר֖וֹת (ham·mə·‘ā·rō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4631: A cavern

and strongholds.
הַמְּצָדֽוֹת׃ (ham·mə·ṣā·ḏō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4679: Fastness, a stronghold


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OT History: Judges 6:2 The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 6:1
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