Judges 7:2-8 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:3

Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people ,.... Such a proclamation as follows, was, according to the law of God, to be made when Israel went out to battle against their enemies, Deuteronomy 20:8 ; though it looks as if Gideon would not have made such proclamation, had he not been directed to it by the Lord, his army being so small in comparison of the enemy; and perhaps Gideon might understand that law to have respect only to war made for the enlargement of their country,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:4

And the Lord said to Gideon, the people are yet too many ,.... Though they were but just the number that Barak had with him, when he attacked Sisera's army and got the victory, which yet was ascribed to God, whose hand was manifestly seen in it; but as these might be supposed to be able men of valour that remained, they were too many for God to have that glory he intended to display in this victory: bring them down unto the water ; from the hill on which they were, to a brook that ran at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:5

So he brought them down to the water ,.... His whole army of 10,000 men: and the Lord said unto Gideon, everyone that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shall thou set by himself ; this has led some, as particularly Grotius, to think of the Egyptian dogs; of whom Aelianus relates F2 Var. Hist. l. 1. c. 4. , that they do not drink at once freely, and to satiety, being afraid of the crocodiles in the river; but run about the bank, and by stealth snatch a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:6

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth ,.... That is, that took up water in the hollow of their hands, which they lifted up to their mouths, and so lapped it, as the Egyptians about the Nile are said F4 Achilles Tatius, l. 4. to do, who drank not out of pots and cups, but used their hands to drink with: were three hundred men ; only such a number out of 10,000: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water; even 9,700; and... read more

John Gill

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

And the Lord said unto Gideon, by the three hundred men that lapped I will save and deliver the Midianites into thine hand ,.... It is hard to say what character this action of the three hundred is expressive of, whether of weakness or of courage. Some think that those who drank upon their knees were faint and weary, and men of intemperance, and indulged themselves, and were unfit for war, while those that only lapped a little water to refresh themselves appeared to be eager, and in haste... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:8

So the people took victuals in their hands and their trumpets ,.... That is, the three hundred took victuals of those that departed, as much as was necessary for them, and also their trumpets, being directed thereunto by Gideon, no doubt; perhaps they took all the trumpets they had; however, as many as would furnish every man with one. And from hence it appears, that these three hundred that were ordered to stay and go with Gideon were unarmed men, at least could carry no arms in their... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 7:3

Whosoever is fearful and afraid , let him return - from Mount Gilead - Gideon was certainly not at Mount Gilead at this time, but rather near Mount Gilboa. Gilead was on the other side of Jordan. Calmet thinks there must either have been two Gileads, which does not from the Scripture appear to be the case, or that the Hebrew text is here corrupted, and that for Gilead we should read Gilboa. This reading, though adopted by Houbigant, is not countenanced by any MS., nor by... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:6

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:8

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 7:3

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