Judges 6:34 NIV

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 6:34

But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon ,.... Not the spirit of prophecy, as Maimonides F24 Moreh Nevochim, par. 2. c. 45. , who calls this spirit the first degree of prophecy, but a spirit of fortitude and courage, as the Targum; the Spirit of God filled him, or, as in the Hebrew text, "clothed" F25 לבשח "induit", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; Vid. Maimon. ut supra. (T. Bab. Temurah, fol. 28. 2. & 29. 1.) So Homer often represents his heroes as clothed with fortitude and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:34

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon - He was endued with preternatural courage and wisdom. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:34

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon - See the margin. The word contains a striking thought. It is different from that used in the case of Othniel Judges 3:10, Jephthah Judges 11:29, and Samson Judges 13:25; Judges 14:6, Judges 14:19. 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 6:34

Spirit = Hebrew. ruach. See App-9 . came upon = clothed (1 Chronicles 12:18 . 2 Chronicles 24:20 ). Hebrew. labash, to put on so as to fill. gathered: gathered by proclamation. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 6:34

Judges 6:34. The spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon— Or, according to the Hebrew and the LXX, the spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. He was replenished with courage and all other qualities necessary for a great commander. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:34

34. the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon—Called in this sudden emergency into the public service of his country, he was supernaturally endowed with wisdom and energy commensurate with the magnitude of the danger and the difficulties of his position. His summons to war was enthusiastically obeyed by all the neighboring tribes. On the eve of a perilous enterprise, he sought to fortify his mind with a fresh assurance of a divine call to the responsible office. The miracle of the fleece was a... 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