Judges 7

1 beside the well of Harod. Now ‘Ain Jalûd, near Mount Gilboa.

2 too many. Man is so prone to self-sufficiency that he often needs to be taught his dependence upon Divine power.

3 proclaim, etc. According to the law in Deut. xx. 8, which is mentioned in 1 Maccab. iii. 56, as being strictly observed by Judas Maccabeus.

mount Gilead. Probably a copyist’s error for “Gilboa.”

5 as a dog laggeth. Not kneeling down to drink in a leisurely manner, but raising the water to the mouth in the hollow of the hand, and lapping as a dog does with his tongue. This showed a readiness for action which peculiarly fitted them for this enterprise.

8. So the people took, etc. According to the LXX and Chaldee, “And they took the victuals of the people (i.e., of those who were dismissed) in their hands, and their (the dismissed one’s) trumpets.” This remark explains how it was that the three hundred men came suddenly into possession of so many pitchers and trumpets.

11 the armed men. See Exod. xiii. 18; Josh. i. 14; iv. 12. The Midianite warriors were encamped in order, and separate from the multitude of camp followers.

13 barley bread. The food of the poor, so representing something despised.

16 three companies. Thus the enemy’s camp was completely surrounded; and the sudden blast of three hundred trumpets, the crash of as many pitchers, and the blaze of as many torches (not “lamps”), would lead the hastily-awakened Midianites to imagine that they were encompassed by a large army.

18. The sword of the Lord and of Gideon. Rather, “For the Lord, and for Gideon” (R.V.). The people themselves added the mention of “the sword,” ver. 20.

19 the middle watch. There were three watches, of four hours each; the beginning of the middle watch would be about 10 p.m., when the men were in their first sleep.

21 stood every man in his place, etc. So that the Midianites might think they were surrounded by a great host. The little band had both hands engaged with the torches and the trumpets.

22. Beth-shittah. “House of the acacia,” probably the modern Shutta. “Zererath,” or “Zeredath.” See 1 Kings xi. 26; 2 Chron. iv. 17. “Abel-meholah” was in the Jordan valley. See 1 Kings xix. 16.

15. Oreb and Zeeb. The death of these marauding chieftains (characteristically named the Raven and the Wolf) was accompanied by a fearful slaughter of the invaders, celebrated in after times among the most signal victories of Israel (Psa. lxxxiii. 9, 11, and “the day of Midian,” Isa. ix. 4).