Judges 6

Judges 6:1

OF Midian] i. e. The Midianites, who came of Midian the son of Abraham, by Keturah, Genesis 25:2.

Judges 6:2

made them the dens] Namely, to hide themselves in from the Midianites. See 1 Samuel 13:6.

Judges 6:3

And so it was] i. e. It was their usuall practice thus to do every yeer, as they did now.

Amalekites] Who were of Esau’s posterity, Genesis 36:12.

of the cast] i. e. The Arabians chiefly. See Chap. 8. 10, 11. Job 1:3.

Judges 6:4

unto Gaza] Lying west at the Meditertanean, so that they wasted the whole land, from east to west.

Judges 6:5

as Grashppers] An hyperbolicall expression of their multitude, their army consisting of a hundred and thirty five thousand able fighting men, besides the rascallity which followed the camp, as appeareth, Chap. 8. 10.

without number] Heb. i. e. So many, that they were hardly to be numbred. So Chap. 7. 12. whereas a small company is expressed by the contrary phrase, That they are men of number. See Genesis 34:30.

Judges 6:11

an angel] That is, Christ the eternall Son of God; for he is called JEHOVAH, v. 14. and the LORD, v. 16. See Chap. 2. 1. Genesis 18:17. 48. 16.

Ophrah] There were two Ophrah’s, one in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:23. and this in the tribe of Manasseh.

Abi-ezriie] Of the tribe of Manasseh, Joshua 17:2. So below, v. 34. 35.

wine-presse] In an unusuall and secret place, that he might not be discovered.

Judges 6:14

in this they might] i. e. Which I now give thee, with my promise to assist thee.

have not I] i. e. Surely I have sent thee. See Chap. 4. 6.

Judges 6:15

wherewith shall I save Israel?] These are not words proceeding from difference, but of one seeking direction what means he was to use for the effecting of the thing promised, and the strengthning of his faith, Hebrews 11:32. Luke 1:34.

Judges 6:16

as one man] i. e. As easily as if thou hadst to do but with one man, and not with a great army.

Judges 6:17

shew me a signe] To wit, that thou art sent of God thus to speak unto me, that I may undertake this dangerous expedition with good conscience and courage.

Judges 6:18

my present] Thinking him to be onely a man or prophet, he desireth to give him entertainment, by setting meat before him, as Abraham did, Genesis 18:5. and Manoah, Judg. 13. 15.

Judges 6:19

the broth] To wit, upon the flesh and cakes, 1 Kings 18:34.

Judges 6:21

fire out of the rock] With which, after the manner of a whole burnt offering, all upon it were consumed. So 1 Kin. 18. 38. and 2 Chron. 7. 1.

Judges 6:22

Alas, O Lord] Being affrighted because he had seen the LORD, he thus cryeth out through the weaknesse of the flesh, as though he should presently die. So Genesis 32:30. Deut. 5. 24, 26.

Judges 6:24

in Ophrah] See v. 11.

Judges 6:25

second bullock] i. e. Which useth to stand second in the stall.

seven yeers old] Bred the same yeer when the Midianites began their tyranny.

cut down the grove] Dedicated to idolatry, beginning thy calling with the rooting out of idolatry, and restoring of Gods true worship, Judges 3:7.

Judges 6:26

top of this rock] Out of which came the fire that had consumed the cakes, meat and broth.

ordered place] i. e. Fitted for the sacrifice in an orderly manner, by laying wood upon it.

offer a burnt sacrifice] This office was proper to the priests, yet in a case extraordinary, Gideon, who was no priest, did lawfully offer it, having Gods speciall command for it.

of the grove] To wit, which grew about Baals altar, and was now cut down.

Judges 6:31

he that will plead] i. e. He that will still dare to speak in this idolls behalf.

yet morning] That is, presently, without further delay.

Judges 6:32

he called him] i. e. Joash called his son Gideon by the name of Jerubbaal, in remembrance of this act of their contending for Baal.

Judges 6:33

went over] i. e. Jordan. See Chap. 7. 24.

valley of Jezreel] There were tow of this name; one in Judah, Joshua 15:56. this in Issachar, on the other side of mount Gilboa, between Manasseh and Issachar, Joshua 19:18. ending at the city of Jezreel westward.

Judges 6:34

the spirit] To wit, of wisedom, zeal and courage. So 1 Chron. 12. 18. and 2 Chron. 24. 20.

Abiezer] i. e. The family of Abiezer, of which he was.

Judges 6:35

all Manasseh] The one half dwelling on this side Jordan, the other beyond it.

unto Asher, Zebulun, Naphtali] Which three tribes lay neer together.

to meet them] i. e. Gideon, with the Manassites, and Abiezrites.

Judges 6:36

If thou wilt] He desireth this signe, not out of infidelity to tempt God; but in all humility, that his faith might be further confirmed in his vocation.