Judges 6:34

34 And the Spirit of the LORD clothed himself in Gideon, who when he had blown the shofar, Abiezer joined with him.

Judges 6:34 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 6:34

But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon
Not the spirit of prophecy, as Maimonides ^F24, who calls this spirit the first degree of prophecy, but a spirit of fortitude and courage, as the Targum; the Spirit of God filled him, or, as in the Hebrew text, "clothed" ^F25 him with zeal, strength, and might, moved and animated him to engage with this great body of people come into the land, to ravage and waste it, and to attempt the deliverance of Israel from their bondage:

and he blew a trumpet;
as an alarm of war, and as a token to as many as heard to resort to him, and join with him in the common cause against the enemy:

and Abiezer was gathered after him;
the Abiezrites, one of the families of the tribe of Manasseh, of which Gideon and his father's house were; and even it is probable the inhabitants of Ophrah, who were Abiezrites, being now convinced of their idolatry, and having entertained a good opinion of Gideon as a man of valour, and who, in the present emergence, they looked upon as an hopeful instrument of their deliverance, and therefore joined him.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Moreh Nevochim, par. 2. c. 45.
F25 (xvbl) "induit", Pagninus, Montanus Vid. Maimon. ut supra. (T. Bab. Temurah, fol. 28. 2. & 29. 1.) So Homer often represents his heroes as clothed with fortitude and courage; see Iliad. 17.

Judges 6:34 In-Context

32 Therefore, on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal contend against him because he has thrown down his altar.

33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east gathered themselves together as one and went over and pitched camp in the valley of Jezreel.

34 And the Spirit of the LORD clothed himself in Gideon, who when he had blown the shofar, Abiezer joined with him.

35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh who also joined with him; likewise he sent messengers unto Asher and unto Zebulun and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

36 And Gideon said unto God, Wilt thou save Israel by my hand as thou hast said?