Judges 7:3 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 7:3

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

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 7:3

The proclamation was in accordance with the Law (see the marginal reference). No mountain of the name of Gilead is known in this locality, and it has been conjectured that the right reading is Gilboa. Others think that this may be a form of proclamation customary in Manasseh. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 7:3

Judges 7:3. From mount Gilead Not that mount Gilead which was on the east side of Jordan, for the camps, both of the Israelites and Midianites, were on the west side of that river, in the land of Canaan; but another mount Gilead in the tribe of Manasseh. There returned of the people twenty and two thousand These, finding their whole army very small, in comparison of that of their enemies, who were a hundred and thirty-five thousand, (Judges 8:10,) and all, no doubt, well armed and... 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 7:3

mount Gilead. What was more natural than that the half tribe of Manasseh on the west side of Jordan should so name a mount in their tribe in compliment to the famous mount on the east side? (Genesis 31:21-26 ; Genesis 37:25 .Numbers 32:1 , Numbers 32:40 . Deuteronomy 3:15 .Joshua 17:1; Joshua 17:1 ). Gideon was of that tribe. Probably "the wood of Ephraim", on east side; so named here out of compliment to the half tribe on west side (2 Samuel 18:6 ). twenty = probably 20 + 2,000 = 2,020.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 7:3

3. Now therefore . . ., proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful . . . let him return—This proclamation was in terms of an established law ( :-). 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

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