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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 7:1-8

Here, I. Gideon applies himself with all possible care and industry to do the part of a good general, in leading on the hosts of Israel against the Midianites (Jdg. 7:1): He rose up early, as one whose heart was upon his business, and who was afraid of losing time. Now that he is sure God is with him he is impatient of delay. He pitched near a famous well, that his army might not be distressed for want of water, and gained the higher ground, which possibly might be some advantage to him, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:2

And the Lord said unto Gideon, the people that are with thee are too many ,.... It appears, by what follows, that there were 32,000 of them, which was but a small army to engage with one of 100,000 more than they; for such was the army of the Midianites and their associates, see Judges 8:10 but the people were too many, says the Lord: for me to give the Midianites into their hands ; who would be apt to ascribe the victory to themselves, and not to the Lord; to their number, strength,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 7:2

The people that are with thee are too many - Had he led up a numerous host against his enemies, the excellence of the power by which they were discomfited might have appeared to be of man and not of God. By the manner in which this whole transaction was conducted, both the Israelites and Midianites must see that the thing was of God. This would inspire the Israelites with confidence, and the Midianites with fear. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 7:2

Judges 7:2. The people that are with thee are too many The army consisted of thirty-two thousand men, a small army in comparison of what Israel might have raised on so great an occasion, and a very small one in comparison with that which the Midianites had now brought into the field. Gideon, doubtless, was ready to think they were too few; but God comes to him and tells him they were too many. It is indeed the same thing with God to save by many or by few; but man being prone to attribute... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 7:1-25

Deliverance under Gideon (7:1-8:35)God allowed Gideon only three hundred men to launch the attack against the Midianites, so that Israel might know that victory was not by military power but by God’s power (7:1-8). A Midianite soldier’s dream showed that an unnatural fear had come upon the Midianites. When he dreamt that a poor man’s loaf of barley overthrew a rich man’s tent, he thought that poverty-stricken Israel would overthrow Midian’s army. The Midianites could, in fact, have wiped out... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 7:2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . lest, &c. This is the real reason of this direction. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Judges 7:2

JEHOVAH REDUCES GIDEON'S ARMY"And Jehovah said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying; Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying; Whomsoever is fearful and trembling; let him turn and depart from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand."The character of ancient Israel being what... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 7:2

Judges 7:2. The people—with thee are too many for me— It is equal to Omnipotence to save by many or few; but, designing in this case to make it alike conspicuous to the Israelites and the neighbouring nations, that the victory was wholly owing to his interposition, God was pleased to order it in such a manner, as to prove, beyond doubt, that he alone was the author of it. REFLECTIONS.—Gideon, now fully convinced of his mission, is in haste to execute it. At early dawn he rises, his army is... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 7:2

2. the Lord said unto Gideon, The people . . . are too many—Although the Israelitish army mustered only thirty-two thousand (or one-sixth of the Midianitish host), the number was too great, for it was the Lord's purpose to teach Israel a memorable lesson of dependence on Him. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 7:1-8

God’s command to reduce the troops 7:1-8Presumably, God willingly gave Gideon the signs of the fleece because He knew the command He would give him to reduce his army would stretch his faith to its limit. The Israelite soldiers numbered only 32,000 (or 32 units, Judges 7:3) while the Midianites and their allies fielded about 135,000 warriors (or 135 units, Judges 8:10).God revealed His purpose in reducing Israel’s army clearly. He wanted everyone to recognize that the victory was His work... read more

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