Judges 7

Judges 7:1

JL HEN Jerubbaal (ivho is Gideon), and all the people tliat were with him, rose up early. The very next morning, I suppose, after the last miracle. And pitched beside the well of Harod.] It is but conjectured where this well was; viz. not far from Mount Gilboa. So that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh.] The Vulgar takes the word Morch to signify high; and then this high hill can be no other than the forenamed Gilboa. Here Pellicanus observes, that prudence and diligent forecast is to be used, even when we are under the Divine conduct; for he thinks Gideon acted like a skilful commander, when he quartered his army so, as to have the enemy on the north of him, rather than the east or the south. In the valley.] Of Jezreel, as was said before, vi. 33. Microsoft® [chap. VII. which had Hcrmon on the north, and Gilboa on the south of it.

Judges 7:2

And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand. They were but thirty-two thousand, against an innumerable army of the enemies, (ver. 3. 12.) which was a vast disproportion; and yet God would not use the service of such a company, lest it should obscure his glory; ^ as it follows in the next words. Lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine oxen hand hath saved 7ne.] He knew their humour, and foresaw they might bo so vain as to ascribe the victory to their own power and prowess, and not to him who intended to shew to all the world it was his miraculous work.

Judges 7:3

Noiu therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people. According to the command of Moses, Dcut. xx. 8. Whosoever is fearful and afraid.] The word which we translate afraid, is in the Hebrew harod: from whence some have conjectured the well where they pitched (ver. 1.) was called by the name of Harod, because here a great fear came upon most of Gideon’s army. Let him return and depart early.] As soon as he can: or, as a great many understand it, make what haste he can to his home; it being a metaphor, they think, from the flying of a bird. From Mount Gilead.] Not that mountain which js so often mentioned in Scripture; for that was on the other side of Jordan, and in the most eastern part of their country (as appears from the story of Jacob, when he returned from Padan-Aram), but another mountain on this west side ef Jordan, in the tribe of Manasseh: the name of whose grandson Gilead (from whom all the tribe descended) was given, it is probable, in memory of him, to some mountain in this country; which was called Mount Gilead, just as another mountain in the tribe of Ephraim was called Mount Ephraim. This seems to me afar more rational account of these words, than theirs who translate them towards Mount Gilead, or about itj or devise some other such-like explication of the particle min (which we rightly translate from), as may consist with their opinion, that the mount on the other side Jordan is here intended. Gataker hath collected many interpretations of this kind in his CinnuSj lib. ii. cap. 18. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand.] As God thought there were too raany,so they thought there were too few, to fight with such £ host as came against them: and therefore, though they were at the first forward to list themselves under Gideon, yet, when they saw no greater number come in, as they expected, their hearts failed them; for they trusted not in God, but in their own strength. And there remained ten thousand.] Who had more courage, and were resolved to venture their lives in the cause, llalbag thinks the greater number that went away were men of bad lives, whose consciences made them afraid; and that these who remained were better men, which made them valiant and undaunted. And they were just the same number that went down with Barak from Mount Tabor, in their last deliverance, (iv. 10.)

Judges 7:4

And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many. The more valiant they were, the more they might be apt to ascribe to themselves. Bring themdown unto the ivater.] Which, it is likely, ran from the well or fountain of Harod, and made a brook. And I will try them for thee there.] Give thee a proof who are fit for the service. The Hebrew word tzaraph signifies to scour, purge, and purify; as fullers do cloth from its filthiness, or as refiners do gold and silver from their dross. So God intended to purge Gideon’s army, from all such persons as he judged unmeet for the undertaking. And it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go ivith thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever J say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shallnot go.] He intended by such a voice as now spake unto him, to declare who should go with him, and who should not. -

Judges 7:5

So he brought down the people unto the water. Where it was proper to purge them. And the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that hxppeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, himshalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.] They were thirsty, we may well suppose, by the heat of the weather, and by their march, which made them greedily betake themselves to the water: where he bid Gideon observe the different postures Avhich they used in quenching of their thirst. The LXX. here translate it 7rac Sc «v Xa^y rp yXuxray avrov, Whosoever licketh up the water with his tongue. Which is the very word the great philosopher uses in his History of Animals, lib. viii.cap.6. where he saith, those creatures whose teeth are continued close together, sup iip water as horses and oxen do; but such as he calls Kapx a P& 0VTa > ^ a ^ have teeth like a saw, do \a7TTuv, which is of the same signification with our English word lap, and the French taper, as Bochart observes. Ver. ft. And the number of them that lapped, putting their handdo their month, were three [hundred men; but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.] Some ascribe it to the sloth and laziness of these three hundred men, that.they would not stoop down to drink as the rfestdid; others to their timorousness, and the great fear they were in of being suddenly surprised by their enemies, which is the opinion of Josephus and Theodoret; both which great authors think, that God chose these three hundred men, on purpose because they were poor-spirited, that the victory might be acknowledged to be entirely owing to himself: and Grotius is of this mind, who thinks they lapped, just as the dogs do of.the river Nile, as they run, for fear of the crocodiles. (See Sixtiri Amama’s Antibarbarus, lib. iii. p. 385.) But it is evident that all the fearful persons were dismissed before; and it is not likely that courageous men w r ere lazy; therefore I take it, as others do (particularly Procopius Gazaeus), to be a token of their temperance, and of the nobleness of their spirit, which made them so desirous to engage the enemy, that they would not stay to drink; but though they were very thirsty, contented themselves to moisten their mouth with a little water; whereas the rest indulged themselves so far, as to drink their belly-full. And it is the opinion of Ralbag, among the Jews, that their lapping standing, was a sign of their alacrity and fortitude. 11. Solomon, and Kimchi, also think, that the rest had been worshippers of Baal, and, by bowing their knees to drink, were discovered, 1 which is a far-fetched conceit. CHAP. vxx.] UPON JUDGES.

Judges 7:7

And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped ivill I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand. It was sufficient to let all the world see God saved them and not men, that he employed only three hundred persons in this service, yet it was necessary these three hundred should be men of extraordinary faith and courage (such as Gideon had) to embolden them to this enterprise. And let all the other people go every man unto his place.] He had sent away above two-thirds of his army before, and now of that third part he keeps only the thirtieth.

Judges 7:8

And the people took victuals in their hands. They that returned home left so much provision as would serve to maintain three hundred men for some time. And their trumpets.’] If we suppose every thousand men to have ten trumpeters belonging to them, it was easy to furnish three hundred men with every one a trumpet, which we read (ver. 16.) they had, that they might, when they sounded, make a noise, as if they were a greater number than really they were. It is hard to say, how Josephus came to say, that they carried in their hand xpiov K^pag, a ram’s horn, which they used avrt aak-myyog, instead of a trumpet, (lib. v. Antiq. cap. 8.) for rams’ horns are not hollow: and the LXX. only call them KtpUTiva$, not saying of what they were made. It may be supposed, indeed, that rams’ horns were made hollow for this use, as the Jews make them at this day. And he sent all the rest of Israel, every man, unto his tent.] Who, it is probable, did not go so far, but that they were ready to join with those who pursued the Midianites after thejr defeat, (ver. 23, 24.) And retained those three hundred men.] Kept no more with him than this number whom God had chosen to accomplish his promise. And the host ofMidian was beneath him in the valley^) It seems his small handful of men lay encamped upon a hill, where the Midianites thought it not safe to assault them, not knowing what number they were, nor how entrenched, and therefore they lay still in the valley of Jezrecl;

Judges 7:9

And it came-topass the same night. After he had reduced his forces to this small number. That the Lord said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host of the Midianites.] Who lay in the valley below him. For I have delivered it into thy hand.] There, he means, he should understand, and be fully satisfied by what he should hear, that his victory over them was as sure as if he had already obtained it.

Judges 7:10

But if thou fear to go down. As he had some reason, having now such a slender company with him. Go thou with Phurah thy servant dotvn to the host.] Every man is more afraid alone, than when he hath a trusty companion with him; yet it was not fit to carry more than one, whose fidelity was known to him; for secret designs are not to be committed to many.

Judges 7:11

And thou shalt hear what they say. Hear the discourse that some of them would have with another. And afterward shall thine hand be strengthened to g& down unto the host.] Whereby he should be encouraged to attack that great army, with so small a number as he had remaining with him. This shews how exceeding acceptable his faith and obedience was to God, in sending away as many of his army as he bade him dismiss; for now he gives him a further confirmation of his faith without asking. Then went lie down ivith Phurah his servant.] Faith had quite expelled all his fear. Unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.] To the out-guards, as we now speak, who seem to have consisted of fifty men, as the LXX. think the Hebrew word chamuschim signifies; for they translate it t?ov Trcvr/jicovra.

Judges 7:12

And the Midianites, and Amalekites, and all the children of the earth. Who joined with them in this invasion. Lay along in the valley.] Of Jezrecl beforementioned, into which Gideon now went down. Like grasshoppers for multitude^] See vi. 5. And their camels were without number.] Both Midian and Amalek, and the countries about them, abounded with camels, which were serviceable to them in their wars, as well as in carrying burdens. (See Bochart, in his Hierozbicon, par. i. lib. ii. cap. 2.) And in them they placed their principal riches, as he observes out of Leo Africanus, who saith, that when the Arabians would express the great wealth of their prince, they do not say, he hath so many thousand pounds of gold or silver, but so many thousand camels. As the sand by the sea-side for nudtitude.] So the Hebrews arc wont to express a vastly great number! The certain knowledge of their number, it is likely, never came to the knowledge of the Israelites; but we read of a hundred and twenty thousand men that were slain, and fifteen thousand that escaped, with their, two princes, vjii. 10’. And howanany were taken captive, is not recorded.

Judges 7:13

And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto Ids fellow. Which troubled his thoughts, I suppose, when he was awake, as the dream of Pharaoh, and his butler, and baker, and of Nebuchadnezzar, in aftertimes, disturbed them. And said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley-bread.] Or, as the Vulgar translates it, A loaf baked in the ashes, which was the meanest of all other bread, and hastily prepared. Tumbled.] Came tumbling down like a bowl from the mountain. Into the host ofMidian.] Through all the guards, into the very middle of the army, which was a sign that Gideon should break through all opposition. And came tinto a tent.~] The principal tent, which was pitched for their kings, or their general, in the midst of the host. And smote it, that it fellJ] This seemed strange -to the man, that so small a thing as a cake, or a loaf of bread, should throw down a tent, which was not shaken by a strong wind. And overturned it, that the tent lay along.]’ It not only fell, but was so shattered that it could not be reared up again; which was a lively emblem of the utter overthrow of the Midianites, and their numerous host, by Gideon, and his small company, as his fellow-soldier interpreted it.

Judges 7:14

And his fellow answered and said. It appears by the example beforementioned, that God sometimes sent dreams into the minds of pagan people, who were much concerned to find an interpreter of them: but here, by a single providence, one of his comrades was inspired to tell the meaning immediately. Microsoft® [chap, vir- This is nothing else save the sivord of Gideon the son of Joask.] The barley-cake was a fit emblem of Gideon and his soldiers, who Mere a small number, as a cake is made of a little Hour kueaded together; and was mean also, and contemptible, in comparison with the Midianites, as a barley-cake is in comparison with wheaten bread: but the man could not have understood this, unless God had suggested it to him, for the confirmation of Gideon’s faith and resolution. A man of Israel:] i. e. A great commander; for so the Hebrews truly interpret the word isch, who (as I/Empereur observes out of R. Schamaja) called the governor, or chief commander of those who guarded the temple, isch har habeth, the 7iian of the mountain of the temple. (Cod. Middoth, cap. 1.) For into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.] All their confederates. Nothing is more vain than our common dreams, yet God hath sometimes admonished men that way of future things, as many of the heathen themselves acknowledge (and those, the wisest of them, such as Hippocrates). But that a common soldier should give such an exact interpretation of another soldier’s dream, and that against themselves, and their own nation, is very extraordinary.

Judges 7:15

And it was so, tvhen Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof. He understood the Midianitish language, it is likely, having been long a subject to that nation; or, perhaps, it did not differ much from the Hebrew. That he worshipped.] Gave humble thanks to God for his goodness, in giving him new encouragement to proceed in his undertaking. And returned to the host of Israel.] So he calls it (though it scarce deserved that name), because God intended to do the same by this small number, as if they had been a great host. And said, Arise, for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.] He bids them make no doubt nor delay, for God had given fresh assurance of success. Ver. 1G. And he divided the three hundred men into three companies.] Under three commanders-in-chief, as the Hebrew raschim imports, which signifies heads. And he put a trumpet into every mans, hand.] That they might make a sound of a great army. With empty pitchers.] Earthen pitchers, which had no water in them; wherein they hid their lamps till they should think fit to light them. And lamps tvithin their pitchers.] Or, rather, torches; for, no doubt, they were made of pitch, or wax, and ro^in, and such-like things as would burn long, and not be blown out by the wind, as lamps made of oil only are apt to be\

Judges 7:17

And he said unto them, Look on me and do likewise. Follow my example. And, behold, tvhen I come to the outside of the cdmp.] Where Le began the assault. V It shall be, that as I do, so shall ye do.] 1 suppose! he told them what he would do, viz. after they heard him blo^v the trumpet (as it follows in the next verse), they should d the same, and then break their pitchers and light their torches, &c.

Judges 7:18

IVlim I blow with a tmmpet, I, and all that are tvith me. It is likely he commanded one of the three troops with whom he began the attack, as the next verse imports. Then blow ye the trumpet also oji every side of all the camp.] By this it appears that they did not fall upon them all in one place, but some on one part of their camp, some on another, that they might strike the greater terror into them, and put them into confusion. And say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.] Tho word sivord is not here in the Hebrew, where these words run thus, for the Lord, and for Gideon: but there being mention of the sword, ver. 20. it moved our translators to add it here also: and it is not to be thought contrary to tho design of God, (who would have the victory ascribed to himself, ver. 2.) that Gideon here joins his own name with God’s when they went to fight; for, as he puts God in the first place, and names himself only as his minister, so it is likely he had directions from God for it, who knew the name of Gideon, of whose extraordinary courage, no doubt, the Midianites had heard, would be very formidable to’them.

Judges 7:19

So Gideon and the hundred men that were tvith him. The Vulgar took a hundred to be put for the whole host of Gideon, and therefore saith, The three hundred men that were with him; but the LXX. expressly follow the Hebrew; and it is most probable that he led only a hundred men himself, the rest being commanded by some other valiant captains. Came to the outside of the camp.] It is not said on what quarter; but it is probable on the east part of their camp, as the second troop set upon them on the north-cast part, and the third on the south-east: for this way they knew they would bend their flight when they were routed, and endeavoured to escape; their own country, and the fords of Jordan, lying on the east: and if they ran westward, there were Israelites enough to pursue them, and cut them off." In the beginning’of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch.] That is, a little, after midnight: for there wore three watches among the Hebrews and the rest of the eastern nations, as Bochart observes out of Kimchi, R. Solomon, and others; the night being divided into three parts: and when the first third part was ended, they that had watched went to sleep, and another company succeeded them, till the morning watch. The Romans afterward divided the night into four parts, from whence we read, in the gospel, of the fourth watch. And they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.] Though Gideon placed his hope in God alone, yet he did not neglect such prudent stratagems as are used in war, but made an appearance of a greater number of men than he had with him: for, hearing three hundred trumpets sound, the Midianites could not but apprehend a great army was come to assault them: the breaking of the pitchers also made a clattering noise, and the torches then, on a sudden, flaring in their eyes, was very amazing, especially when they heard them shout, for the Lord, and for Gideon: he chose also to make his attack at midnight, when they were in a dead sleep, and expected no disturbance.

Judges 7:20

And the three companies. The former words were concerning Gideon and his men, who began the attack; whose example the rest of the three companies folwed, as he required, ver. 17, 18. Microsoft® CHAP. VII.] UPON JUDGES.’ Blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hand, and the trumpets in their right hand to blow ivithal.] So that they made no use of their swords, in the first onset; both hands being full of something else. And they cried, The stvord of the Lord, and of Gideon.’] But this stratagem had been of no efficacy, if God had not struck such a terror into them, whenthey heard these words, as quite confounded them: and yet these words do not import, as I said before, that the victory was divided between the Lord and Gideon; for it is most likely (as Pet. Martyr observes) that God suggested even this stratagem to Gideon, and inade it successful.

Judges 7:21

And they stood every man in his place round about the camp. Not one of the three hundred men stirred a foot from his place, but stood there without striking, a stroke; as if they had been only torch-bearers, to give light to their army, to see their way to the camp, and to do execution. And all the host ran, and cried, and fled.] They did not stand in their ranks to repel the Israelites; but brake up their camp (as the Hebrew word jaratzmaj be translated), and cried out with a lamentable voice, fleeing as fast as they could to their own country.

Judges 7:22

And the three hundred men blew the trumpets. That is, continued to blow them without ceasing. And the Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host.] Being suddenly awaked out of their sleep in the middle of the night, and hearing such a noise, as if a vast multitude were falling upon thcm,they were in such disorder (which was increased by the clattering of the pitchers, and the blaze of the torches), that they could not distinguish their friends from their enemies, but killed one another; every man falling upon him that was next to him, whom he fancied to be one of Gideon’s army. Thus the Philistines were defeated by Jonathan, (1 Sam. xiv. 1G. 20.) and the Ammonites, Moabitcs, and Edomites, in the days of Jehoshaphat, (2 Chron. xx. 22, 23.) * And the host fled to Beth-shittah inZererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.] We find none of these places mentioned elsewhere in Scripture, but only Abel-meholah,. in 1 Kings iv. 12. xix.’lG. which being in the tribe of Manasseh, not far from the river Jordan, may support a conjecture, that the rest of the places were in the way thither.

Judges 7:23

And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher. He had sent to these tribes at the first raising of his army, and also to Zebulun, who, being neighbours, came to join him, (vi. 35.) And out of all Manasseh.] Who were the forwardest in this enterprise, being his own tribe. And pursued after the Midianites.] Though they had been lately disbanded by God’s order, yet it is likely they lay ready, if there should be occasion, to help to complete the victory.

Judges 7:24

And Gideon sent messengers throughout all Mount Ephraim. He was desirous that others should have some share with him, in finishing this work; though he alone, with some few began it, and were exposed to all the danger. Would to God (saith P. Martyr on this occasion) that we were of this spirit in the church of Christ, that when any noble work is begun, we would call in all to help to perfect it: but, alas! such are our sins> weoft-times do all we are able to hinder one another. Saying, Come, down against the Midianites.] He invites them to come to his assistance against the common enemy;, which his small handful of men were not sufficient to de-* stroy, though they had entirely routed them.* And take before them the waters.] He would have them make such haste, as to possess themselves of the fords, before the Midianites could get to them. Unto Beth-barah and Jordan.] It is very probable, that Beth-barah is the same place with Beth-abara in St. John’sgospel, (i.28.) being the place where the Israelites passed over Jordan, when they first entered Canaan: and then by Jordan must be meant all the fords upon this river, from Beth-barah to the lake of Gennesaret. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.] Posted themselves all along the river, from the lake beforemen, tioned unto Beth-barah.

Judges 7:25

And they took two princes of the 3Iidianites. Two great commanders, as the word sarim signifies, which we translate princes. Oreb and Zeeb.] From hence some gather that the Midianitish language did not much differ from the Hebrew: in which Oreb signifies a crow,, and Zeeb a wolf; from which creatures, and such-like, it seems very anciently great men thought fit to take the names of their families: as the Romans did afterward, (among whom we read of the Corvini, and Gracchi, and Aquilini, &c.) cither as omens, or as monuments of their undaunted courage and dexterity in military achievements. And they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb.] It is likely that there he was taken hidden in some hole, and from his. slaughter there the rock had its name in future times. And Zeeb they slew at the ivine-press of Zeeb.] Where he also, in like manner, being taken and slain, gave name to this place. • And pursued Midian.] Did not content themselves with this, but pursued them to the other side of Jordan; whither some of them had escaped, before they would obey Gideon’s summons. And brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon.] As the manner was in aftertimes, when they would gratify a great conqueror with a welcome spectacle: for thus Pompcy’s head was offered to Caesar, and Cicero’s to Mark Antony. On the other side Jordan.] Over which we read (viii. 4.); Gideon passed, in the pursuit of the enemy.