Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 7:19-21
The defeat of the Midianites 7:19-8:21Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites took some time and involved some conflict with the other Israelites. read more
士師記 7:16-20 Jc
Thomas Constable
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 7:19-22
Gideon’s initial victory 7:19-22Gideon commenced his "attack" at the beginning of the middle watch, which was evidently midnight. [Note: Bush, p. 104; Keil and Delitzsch, p. 347. Lindsey, p. 394, wrote that it was 10:00 p.m.] Many of the Midianites would have been sound asleep and upon awakening would have felt confused by the sights and sounds of their enemies. The movements of their own men milling around the camp as a result of the recent watch change would have disoriented them further.... read more
John Dummelow
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 7:1-25
The Rout of Midian1-7. Gideon’s choice of his Followers.1. The sites here mentioned are doubtful. Moreh] said to be near Shechem (Genesis 12:6; Deuteronomy 11:30). After the battle Gideon crosses the Jordan by the fords one would take if travelling from Shechem eastwards. 3. Gilead] is E. of the Jordan: some other locality must be meant. For the return of the timid, cp. Deuteronomy 20:8.5. Probably an arbitrary test. It is as easy to find abstract reasons for choosing those who stooped down as... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 7:16
(16) Into three companies.—See Judges 9:43. This division of the attacking force was a common stratagem. We find it in Job 1:17—“the Chaldæans made out three bands “—and it was adopted by Saul against the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:11), and by David against Absalom (2 Samuel 18:2). (Comp. Genesis 14:15.)A trumpet.—Hearing the sound of three hundred rams’ horns, the Midianites would naturally suppose that they were being attacked by three hundred companies.Pitchers.—The Hebrew word is caddim, which... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 7:17
(17) Look on me.—He showed all the three hundred the way in which he wished them, at a given signal, to break the pitchers, wave the torches, and shout. The signal would be given by the one hundred whom he himself headed. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 7:18
(18) The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.—Literally, for Jehovah and for Gideon (LXX., Τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ τῷ Γεδεων; Vulg., clangite et conclamate Domino et Gedeoni), but the particle le often has the meaning of, as in “a Psalm to David,” which is found at the beginning of many Psalms. Our version here understands the word “sword” (chereb) from Judges 6:20, as is also done in some MSS. of the LXX. It is better to omit it. The watchword and war-cry, then, resembles that given by Cyrus to his... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 7:19
(19) The middle watch.—The Jews anciently divided the night, from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M., into three watches (Exodus 14:24; 1 Samuel 11:11). The subsequent division into four watches of three hours each was borrowed from the Romans (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48). At the beginning of the middle watch—i.e., soon after 10 at night—would be the time at which the host would be buried in their first sleep.They had but newly set the watch.—Literally, scarcely—or. “just in rousing they roused the watch.” The... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 7:20
(20) The trumpets in their right hands . . .—Thus they were comparatively defenceless, though, if they had any armour at all, doubtless they could still hold the shield on the left arm, while the sword was girded on the thigh. The effect of the sudden crash and glare and shout upon the vast unwieldy host of the Bedouins may be imagined. Startled from sleep in a camp which, like Oriental camps, must have been most imperfectly protected and disciplined, they would see on every side blazing... read more
William Nicoll
Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 7:1-25
Judges 7:7 Nothing is done effectually through untrained human nature; and such is ever the condition of the multitude.... Every great change is effected by the few, not by the many; by the resolute, undaunted, zealous few. Doubtless, much may be undone by the many, but nothing is done except by those who are specially trained for action. Newman. The Three Hundred Men That Lapped (a Church Guild Sermon) Judges 7:7 Here is one of these battles of God which are being waged in century after... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 7:15-18
The mobilizing of Gideon’s band in faith 7:15-18Upon hearing this interpretation Gideon received courage to believe that God would indeed grant him victory (Judges 7:15)."No character in the book receives more divine assurance than Gideon and no one displays more doubt. Gideon is, significantly, the only judge to whom God speaks directly, though this privilege does not allay his faintheartedness." [Note: Exum, p. 416.] Gideon’s strategy was so effective that the Lord must have revealed it to... read more