Judges 7

Judges 7:1

THe well of Harod] That is, the well of terrour or trembling; so called, either from the fear which seised on the two and twenty thousand Israelites, vers. 3. or on the Midianites routed and slain by Gideon, which encamped there on the other side, Chap. 6. 33. This well lay upon the borders of Manasseh.

Moreh] i. e. One of the hills of Gilboa, so called from the seasonable rains which used to fall there, 2 Samuel 1:23.

the valley] To wit, of Jezreel. See Chap. 6. 33.

against me] By robbing me of the glory of the victory, and ascribing it to themselves.

own hand] i. e. My own power. See Exodus 8:9.

Judges 7:3

depart early] i. e. Betimes, and withall speed, as the word signifieth.

from mount Gilead] Or towards mount Gilead, beyond Jordan (as the word may signifie) whence the half tribe of Manasseh came, Chap. 6. 35. and which did lie over against Gideons camp.

Judges 7:4

I will try them] i. e. I will give thee a signe whereby thou mayest trie them, separating those who must depart, from those that must go with thee, as it were drosse from gold.

Judges 7:5

that lappeth] To wit, the water taken up out of the hollow of his hand, as it is v. 6.

Judges 7:7

other people] To wit, which kneeled, and bowed themselves down to drink.

Judges 7:8

So the people] i. e. The three hundred chosen men.

and their trumpets] i. e. Three hundred trumpets of their own, and theirs who departed from the camp.

he sent] i. e. Gideon.

in the valley] To wit, of Jezreel, on the other side of the hill.

Judges 7:9

unto the host] To wit, of the Midianites.

Judges 7:10

fear to go] To wit, alone, or to go yet down with thine army to fight with so great a number.

Judges 7:11

thy hands be strengthened] i. e. Thou shalt be further encouraged to fight against them.

outside] i. e. To the first sentinells of the host.

Judges 7:12

like grashoppers] See Chap. 6. 5.

as the sand] An hyperbolicall expression of a great multitude, usuall with the Hebrews. So Isaiah 48:19. Genesis 22:17.

Judges 7:13

a cake of barley-bread] To signifie the weaknesse and contemptiblenesse of the means, which God intended to use, for the saving of his people, and confusion of their enemies.

Judges 7:15

he worshipped] i. e. Praised God for confirming him thus in his calling, and prayed unto him for good successe, according to this omen, or good signe.

Judges 7:18

The sword of the Lord] i. e. This battle is fought by the sword of the LORD, as principall agent, and by Gideon as his instrument.

Judges 7:19

middle watch] i. e. About midnight, when the watches use to be changed.

Judges 7:21

stood] To shew, that the LORD onely fought the battell, and got the victory. See Exodus 14:13. 2 Chro. 20. 17.

Judges 7:22

every mans sword] i. e. The LORD struck them with such sudden terrour and amazement, that they knew not their friends from their enemies; but mistaking one for the other, they slew their friends instead of their foes. So 1 Sam. 14. 15, 20. 2 Chro. 20. 23.

Beth-shittah] Out of the plain towards Jordan, where all these places here named lay.

Judges 7:23

And the men] i. e. Hearing of this defeat, and routing of the Midianitish army.

Judges 7:24

and take before them] To wit, that being inclosed and hemmed in on both sides, they might have no way to escape.

the waters] That is, the foords, and passages by which they should passe and escape.

Beth-barah] Lying neer Jordan, which some think to be that Beth-barah, spoken of Joh 1:28.

Judges 7:25

the rock Oreb] So called in after times upon this occasion, and lying at the east end of mount Ephraim, neer Jordan: So Zeeb likewise.

the other side Jordan] Where he now was pursuing Zeba and Zalmunna, with their fifteen thousand men that had in the time of the fight escaped over Jordan.