judges-6:17-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 6:11-24

It is not said what effect the prophet's sermon had upon the people, but we may hope it had a good effect, and that some of them at least repented and reformed upon it; for here, immediately after, we have the dawning of the day of their deliverance, by the effectual calling of Gideon to take upon him the command of their forces against the Midianites. I. The person to be commissioned for this service was Gideon, the son of Joash, Jdg. 5:14. The father was now living, but he was passed by, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:17

And he said unto him, if now I have found grace in thy sight , &c.; Or seeing he had, as appeared by his salutation of him as a man of might, by the work he gave him a commission to do, and by the promise of assistance and success: then show me a sign that thou talkest with me ; in the name of God, as a messenger sent by him, whether an angel or a man; for who he was as yet Gideon was not clear in it, and that what he had said was truth, and would be certainly fulfilled; and which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:18

Intending to go to his own, or his father's house, to fetch some food to entertain him with, and therefore entreats he would not quit the place where he was until he returned: and bring forth my present, and set it before thee ; to treat him with, as a stranger and a messenger of God; and perhaps he thought, by this means, the better to discover who he was, whether an angel or a man: the word for the "present" is "minchah", often used for a meat offering, therefore some have thought of a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:17

Show me a sign - Work a miracle, that I may know that thou hast wisdom and power sufficient to authorize and quality me for the work. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:18

And bring forth my present - My minchah ; generally an offering of bread, wine, oil, flour, and such like. It seems from this that Gideon supposed the person to whom he spoke to be a Divine person. Nevertheless, what he prepared and brought out appears to be intended simply as an entertainment to refresh a respectable stranger. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:17

A sign - If the Angel ate of Gideon’s present it would be a conclusive proof of the reality of the vision. (Compare John 21:9-13; Luke 24:37-43; Acts 10:41.) It would also be a token of God’s goodwill to Gideon. Compare Genesis 18:3. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:18

My present - My Minchah: the word used regularly, though not exclusively, for the meat and drink offering (Leviticus 2:1 note). Its double sense of an offering to God, and of a gift to man, suits the doubt in Gideon’s mind as to who his visitor might be. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 6:16-17

Judges 6:16-17. Thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man As easily as if they were all but one man. Show me a sign This Gideon desired, that he might be sure the commission was divine, and that God, who called him to his work, would give him success in it. This is one proof among many others which might be produced, that a sign or miracle was esteemed in those days both as a necessary and a sufficient evidence of a divine commission. And from hence we may learn that we have abundant... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 6:18-19

Judges 6:18-19. Until I bring forth my present A repast for the angel whom he thought to be a man; and set it before thee That thou mayest eat and refresh thyself. An ephah of flour The choicest part of a whole ephah; as also he brought to him the best part of a kid dressed; for a whole ephah and a whole kid had been superfluous and improper to provide for one man. 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