Judges 7:2-3

2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, 1lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'
3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 2'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

Judges 7:2-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 7

In this chapter we have an account of the army under Gideon gathered out of several tribes, which from 32,000 were reduced to three hundred, and we are told by what means this was done, Jud 7:1-8 and how he was directed to go into the host of the Midianites, where he heard one of them telling his dream to his fellow, which greatly encouraged him to believe he should succeed, Jud 7:9-15 also we are told the form and manner in which he disposed of his little army to attack the Midianites, and the orders he gave them to observe, which had the desired effect, and issued in the total rout of that large body of people, Jud 7:16-22 and those that were not destroyed were pursued by persons gathered out of several tribes, and the passages of Jordan were taken by the Ephraimites, so that those that attempted their escape into their own country, there fell into their hands, Jud 7:23-25.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 8:17; [Isaiah 10:13]
  • 2. Deuteronomy 20:8
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.