Judges 6:33-7:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 6:33-40

Here we have, I. The descent which the enemies of Israel made upon them, Jdg. 6:33. A vast number of Midianites, Amalekites, and Arabians, got together, and came over Jordan, none either caring or daring to guard that important and advantageous pass against them, and they made their headquarters in the valley of Jezreel, in the heart of Manasseh's tribe, not far from Gideon's city. Some think that the notice they had of Gideon's destroying Baal's altar brought them over, and that they came to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:33

Then all the Midianites, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east ,.... The Arabians, Judges 6:3 were gathered together; not as being alarmed with this fact of Gideon in destroying the altar of Baal, and so came to avenge it; but it was their usual time of gathering together to come into Canaan, being harvest time, as appears by Gideon being employed in threshing, to fetch away the increase of the earth, as they had done for some years past: and went over ; the river Jordan,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:33

Then all the Midianites - Hearing of what Gideon had done, and apprehending that this might be a forerunner of attempts to regain their liberty, they formed a general association against Israel. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:33

A fresh invasion, and the last, of Midianites Amalekites, and Arabs (see Judges 6:3). But the Israelites, instead of hiding in dens and caves, and tamely leaving all their substance as pIunder to the invaders, now rally around their leader. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 6:33-34

Judges 6:33-34. Then all the Midianites were gathered together, &c. As was their usual custom every year, that they might waste the country. And pitched in the valley of Jezreel Not Jezreel in Judah, but another place of that name in the borders of Manasseh and Issachar, which was not far distant from Ophrah, where Gideon dwelt. But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon Inspiring him with extraordinary wisdom, and courage, and zeal, to vindicate God’s honour and his country’s... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 6:1-40

Click image for full-size versionClick image for full-size versionGod prepares Gideon (6:1-40)Israel’s return to sinful and idolatrous ways met its punishment in the raids of the Midianites. As usual the Amalekites were pleased to join in the attack. Year by year, for seven years, the invaders rode their army of camels from the deserts of Arabia, crossed the Jordan, and raided the fields and herds of the helpless Israelites. Their attacks reached as far north as Naphtali and as far west as... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Judges 6:33

GIDEON RALLIES ISRAEL AGAINST THE MIDIANITES"Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east assembled themselves together, and they passed over, and encamped in the valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered together after him. And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; and they were gathered together after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:33

33. all the Midianites . . . pitched in Jezreel—The confederated troops of Midian, Amalek, and their neighbors, crossing the Jordan to make a fresh inroad on Canaan, encamped in the plains of Esdraelon (anciently Jezreel). The southern part of the Ghor lies in a very low level, so that there is a steep and difficult descent into Canaan by the southern wadies. Keeping this in view, we see the reason why the Midianite army, from the east of Jordan, entered Canaan by the northern wadies of the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 6:33-35

The mobilizing of four tribes in fear 6:33-35Some time later Israel’s enemies from the East again crossed the Jordan and massed their forces in the Valley of Jezreel near Gideon’s home (Judges 6:33). They numbered 135,000, or 135 units, depending on the meaning of eleph here (Judges 8:10). "Thousand" seems preferable (cf. Judges 7:12). This foray appears to have been the Midianites’ annual invasion.Gideon wished to reconfirm the Lord’s promise to be with him and to lead him in victory against... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:1-40

Gideon and the MidianitesThe story of Gideon, which runs from Judges 6:1 to Judges 8:33, is more detailed than that of Deborah and Barak; and, from the details, it would appear that different traditions have been used. Gideon, at the bidding of an angel, calls his clan together, and after reducing them to 300 men, and receiving the encouragement of a dream, surrounds the camp of the Midianites and throws them into a panic. The Ephraimites complete the defeat. The two kings of Midian are then... read more

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