Judges 7:12
Judges 7:12 in Multiple Translations
Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore.
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is upon the sea-shore for multitude.
Now the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the east were covering the valley like locusts; and their camels were like the sand by the seaside, without number.
The Midianites, Amalekites, and all the peoples of the East filled the valley like a swarm of locusts, and as for their camels, they were as uncountable as the sand on the seashore.
And the Midianites, and the Amalekites and all they of the East, lay in the valley like grashoppers in multitude, and their camels were without nomber, as the sande which is by the sea side for multitude.
and Midian and Amalek, and all the sons of the east are lying in the valley, as the locust for multitude, and of their camels there is no number, as sand which [is] on the sea-shore for multitude.
The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is on the seashore for multitude.
And the Midianites, and the Amalekites, and all the children of the east, lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
But Madian and Amalec, and all the eastern people lay scattered in the valley, as a multitude of locusts: their camels also were innumerable as the sand that lieth on the sea shore.
The armies of the people of Midian and Amalek and from the east had set up their tents and looked like a swarm of locusts. It seemed that their camels were as impossible to count as the grains of sand on the seashore.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 7:12
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Judges 7:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 7:12
Study Notes — Judges 7:12
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 7:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 7:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 7:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 7:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 7:12
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 7:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 7:12
- Sermons on Judges 7:12
Context — The Sword of Gideon
12Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13And as Gideon arrived, a man was telling his friend about a dream. “Behold, I had a dream,” he said, “and I saw a loaf of barley bread come tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent so hard that the tent overturned and collapsed.” 14His friend replied: “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has delivered Midian and the whole camp into his hand.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 8:10 | Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen. |
| 2 | Judges 6:5 | For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it. |
| 3 | Joshua 11:4 | So these kings came out with all their armies, a multitude as numerous as the sand on the seashore, along with a great number of horses and chariots. |
| 4 | Judges 6:3 | Whenever the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, |
| 5 | Psalms 33:16 | No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. |
| 6 | Psalms 118:10–12 | All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. |
| 7 | Isaiah 8:9–10 | Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered! Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us. ” |
| 8 | Psalms 3:1 | O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! |
| 9 | Judges 6:33 | Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. |
| 10 | 2 Chronicles 14:9–12 | Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah. So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.” So the LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, and the Cushites fled. |
Judges 7:12 Summary
Judges 7:12 describes the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east as gathering in the valley like a swarm of locusts, with camels as countless as the sand on the seashore. This verse helps us understand the overwhelming odds against the Israelites, but also sets the stage for God's powerful deliverance, as seen in (Judges 7:1-25). Just like the Israelites, we can trust in God's power and presence in our lives, even when faced with overwhelming challenges (Psalm 23:4). By trusting in God, we can overcome any obstacle, no matter how daunting it may seem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathering in the valley?
The gathering of these nations in the valley represents a formidable force opposing the Israelites, as seen in Judges 7:12, and is a testament to the fulfillment of the prophecy in Numbers 22:4 where Balak, the king of Moab, summoned the Midianites to join forces against Israel.
Why are the camels compared to the sand on the seashore in Judges 7:12?
The comparison of the camels to the sand on the seashore in Judges 7:12 emphasizes the vast number of camels, symbolizing the overwhelming army of the Midianites, similar to the description of the Israelites in Genesis 22:17, where God promises to make their descendants as numerous as the sand on the seashore.
How does this verse relate to the story of Gideon?
This verse sets the stage for Gideon's battle against the Midianites, as seen in Judges 7:12, and highlights the overwhelming odds against him, which will ultimately showcase God's power and deliverance, as promised in Deuteronomy 20:1-4, where God assures the Israelites of His presence in battle.
What can we learn from the description of the Midianites as a swarm of locusts?
The description of the Midianites as a swarm of locusts in Judges 7:12 teaches us about the destructive power of sin and the importance of trusting in God's power, as seen in Exodus 10:1-20, where locusts are used as a plague to demonstrate God's power over Pharaoh.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'locusts' in my life that seem to be overwhelming me, and how can I trust God to deliver me?
- How can I, like Gideon, trust in God's power despite the overwhelming odds against me?
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I am facing a 'swarm of locusts', and how can I apply the principles of Judges 7:12 to those situations?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, trust in God's promise to be with me in the midst of battle, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 7:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 7:12
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 7:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 7:12
Cambridge Bible on Judges 7:12
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 7:12
Sermons on Judges 7:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Christ, Our Identity by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that our identity as Christians is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, who is our family member and the foundation of our lives. He encourages believers |
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 3 by Alan Cairns | This sermon delves into the prophetic lamentation of the impending destruction of Pharaoh, his armies, and the great Egyptian nation, challenging the false hope placed in Egypt's m |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 31:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the situation in which the people of Jerusalem find themselves. The Assyrian army, known for their cruelty, is conquering cities and mo |
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God Works for Those Who Wait for Him by John Piper | John Piper preaches on the importance of trusting in the Lord's work for those who wait for Him, emphasizing that God's labor surpasses human efforts in providing for our needs and |
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To the Parliament, the Army by Isaac Penington | Isaac Penington preaches a message of repentance and humility to the Parliament, the Army, and all the Well-affected in the Nation who have strayed from the Good Old Cause. He high |
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The Beauty and Strength of Zion by John Owen | In this sermon, the preacher addresses five questions regarding the protection and preservation of the church. The preacher begins by giving an illustration of how massive and impe |
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Hindrances to Prevailing Prayer by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, Pastor David encourages the congregation to seek God's touch and allow their lives to be changed. He emphasizes the importance of responding to the Holy Spirit's pr |







