Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 7:18
This word means to blow or strike something, like a trumpet or a nail. In the Bible, it is used to describe making a loud noise or driving something into place. The KJV translates it as blow, clap, or strike.
Definition: 1) to blow, clap, strike, sound, thrust, give a blow, blast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to thrust, drive (of weapon) 1a2) to give a blast, give a blow 1a3) to strike or clap hands 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be blown, blast (of horn) 1b2) to strike or pledge oneself
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: blow (a trumpet), cast, clap, fasten, pitch (tent), smite, sound, strike, [idiom] suretiship, thrust. See also: Genesis 31:25; 1 Kings 1:34; Psalms 47:2.
This Hebrew word refers to a trumpet or cornet, often made from a ram's horn. It was used in the Bible to signal important events or to sound an alarm, and is still used today in some Jewish traditions.
Definition: horn, ram's horn
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: cornet, trumpet. See also: Exodus 19:16; 1 Chronicles 15:28; Psalms 47:6.
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
This word means to blow or strike something, like a trumpet or a nail. In the Bible, it is used to describe making a loud noise or driving something into place. The KJV translates it as blow, clap, or strike.
Definition: 1) to blow, clap, strike, sound, thrust, give a blow, blast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to thrust, drive (of weapon) 1a2) to give a blast, give a blow 1a3) to strike or clap hands 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be blown, blast (of horn) 1b2) to strike or pledge oneself
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: blow (a trumpet), cast, clap, fasten, pitch (tent), smite, sound, strike, [idiom] suretiship, thrust. See also: Genesis 31:25; 1 Kings 1:34; Psalms 47:2.
This Hebrew word refers to a trumpet or cornet, often made from a ram's horn. It was used in the Bible to signal important events or to sound an alarm, and is still used today in some Jewish traditions.
Definition: horn, ram's horn
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: cornet, trumpet. See also: Exodus 19:16; 1 Chronicles 15:28; Psalms 47:6.
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.
Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Gideon was a judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites. His name means 'hewer' and he is also called Jerubbaal.
Definition: A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.6.11; son of: Joash (H3101); father of: Jether (H3500), Abimelech (H0040H) and Jotham (H3147); also called Jerubbaal at Jdg.6.32; 7.1; 8.29,35; 9.1,2,5,16,19,24,28,57; 1xJerubbesheth at 2Sa.11.21; § Gideon = "hewer" youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Gideon. See also: Judges 6:11; Judges 7:18; Judges 8:35.
Context — Gideon Defeats Midian
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
2 Chronicles 20:15–17 |
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’” |
| 2 |
1 Samuel 17:47 |
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” |
Judges 7:18 Summary
Judges 7:18 is about Gideon giving instructions to his men on how to work together to defeat their enemies. He tells them to blow their horns and shout 'For the LORD and for Gideon' to show that they trust in God's power, not just their own strength (as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This teaches us to have faith in God's ability to help us overcome any challenge, just like the Israelites did in Exodus 14:13-14 when they trusted God to part the Red Sea. By trusting in God and working together, we can achieve great things for His glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of blowing horns in Judges 7:18?
Blowing horns in Judges 7:18 is a call to battle and a declaration of trust in God, as seen in other biblical battles like Joshua 6:20, where the horns signaled the start of the fight and the collapse of Jericho's walls.
Why did Gideon instruct his men to shout 'For the LORD and for Gideon'?
Gideon's instruction to shout 'For the LORD and for Gideon' in Judges 7:18 emphasizes that the battle is ultimately the Lord's, and Gideon is merely His instrument, similar to how Moses gave credit to God in Exodus 14:13-14 when facing the Egyptian army.
How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual warfare?
Judges 7:18 illustrates the spiritual principle of claiming victory in the name of the Lord, as seen in Ephesians 6:10-12, where believers are equipped with spiritual armor to stand against the forces of darkness.
What can we learn from Gideon's strategy in this verse?
Gideon's strategy in Judges 7:18 teaches us about the importance of unity, obedience, and faith in the face of overwhelming odds, reflecting the biblical principle that 'the battle is not yours, but God's' (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the principle of trusting in God's power, like Gideon did, in my own life's challenges?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to 'blow the horn' and proclaim my trust in God's sovereignty?
- In what ways can I, like Gideon, use my unique position and gifts to advance God's kingdom and bring glory to His name?
- How can I balance the need for human leadership, like Gideon, with the recognition that ultimate victory comes from God alone?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 7:18
When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me,.... He being at the head of one of the three companies, Jude 7:19 perhaps the middlemost, which might stand for the body of the army; and the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 7:18
And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 7:18
He mentions his own name, together with God’ s, not out of vain ostentation or arrogance, as if he would equal himself with God; for he mentions God in the first and chief place, and himself only as his minister; but from prudent policy, because his name was grown formidable to them, and so was likely to further his design, and their flight, as it did.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 7:18
Judges 7:18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that [are] with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, [The sword] of the LORD, and of Gideon.Ver. 18. The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.] Domino et Gideoni; this was the word. Against Jehovah there was no fighting: and Gideon’ s name was now grown terrible to them, as Scipio’ s afterwards was to the Carthaginians, Hunniades’ s to the Turks, &c. Tessera et symbolum fuit quo terrerent hostes, et ipsi se mutub cognoscerent. - Lav.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 7:18
(18) The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.—Literally, for Jehovah and for Gideon (LXX., ΤῷκυρίῳκαὶτῷΓεδεων; Vulg., clangite et conclamate Domino et Gedeoni), but the particle le often has the meaning of, as in “a Psalm to David,” which is found at the beginning of many Psalms. Our version here understands the word “sword” (chereb) from Judges 6:20, as is also done in some MSS. of the LXX. It is better to omit it. The watchword and war-cry, then, resembles that given by Cyrus to his soldiers—“Zeus, our ally and leader” (Cyrop. iii. 28). The mention of his own name was only for the purpose of terrifying the enemy (Judges 7:14).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 7:18
Verse 18. The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.] The word חרב chereb, "sword," is not found in this verse, though it is necessarily implied, and is found in Judges 7:20. But it is found in this place in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, and in eight of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. The reading appears to be genuine.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 7:18
16–22. The night attack The account of Gideon’s bold and successful stratagem is perfectly intelligible as a whole, though there is some confusion in the details, chiefly due to the repetitions in Judges 7:17 (Gideon’s order), Judges 7:20 (the blowing of the trumpets), Judges 7:22 (the direction of the flight). It is usually objected that one pair of hands (Judges 7:16) could not have carried a trumpet and a pitcher with a lighted (?) torch inside; the objection is rather prosaic; such a difficulty would not, perhaps, have occurred to an ancient writer. But the fact remains that the text in Judges 7:17; Judges 7:20; Judges 7:22 is clearly not in its original form; are we to explain the overloading as the work of subsequent editors, or as an attempt to combine two different narratives of the same event? The latter explanation is adopted by most recent commentators; it is supposed that in one narrative the trumpets played a leading part, in the other, the pitchers and torches. At any rate the trumpets cannot have been introduced by a later hand, for they form a prominent feature of the story; so perhaps we can only suppose that here, as elsewhere in the history of Gideon (cf. Judges 6:11-32; Judges 6:35 and Judges 7:23), two versions have been harmonized with more or less success. But to separate them is difficult; none of the attempts at an analysis can be called satisfactory. The problem remains in much uncertainty.
Sermons on Judges 7:18
| Sermon | Description |
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Rise and Shine 1999 Conference-04 Keynote Address
by William MacDonald
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not making excuses for our sins. He shares a personal story of a young preacher who felt sorry for himself after a long da |
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K-144 Magna Carta of Apostolic Faith
by Art Katz
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the cosmic drama between darkness and light that the church is involved in. He highlights that in the last day |
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K-531 Endtime Adversities
by Art Katz
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In this sermon, the speaker expresses their feelings of inadequacy and the burden they have for the end times. They reference the book of Joel in the Bible, specifically chapter 2, |
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Jehoshaphat - "Faith Cometh by Hearing"
by Major Ian Thomas
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Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the importance of faith that comes from hearing the Word of God, using the story of King Jehoshaphat to illustrate how faith must be mixed with action t |
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Personal Preparation for Spiritual Awakening
by Ale Leiding
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In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for spiritual awakening and recognizing who God is. He highlights the despair and despondency that many Christians feel when observi |
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The Necessity of Weakness
by Carter Conlon
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This sermon emphasizes the necessity of weakness in the Christian walk, drawing from the life of the apostle Paul and the story of David and Goliath. It highlights how God's streng |
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The Devil in Your Tent
by Carter Conlon
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This sermon is a powerful call to all women in the church to rise up and fight the spiritual battles of this time, drawing inspiration from the stories of Deborah and Jael in the b |