Judg 6-8 | TSK | STEP | The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian. A prophet rebukes them. An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance. Gideon's present is consumed with fire. Gideon destroys Baal's altar, and offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom. Joash defends his son, and calls shim Jerubbaal. Gideon's army. Gideon's signs. did evil. delivered.When God judges, he will overcome; and sinners shall be made either to bend or break before him. See the ensuing history. Midian.

Judges 6

1 The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian.

8 A prophet rebukes them.

11 An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance.

17 Gideon's present is consumed with fire.

24 Gideon destroys Baal's altar, and offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom.

28 Joash defends his son, and calls shim Jerubbaal.

33 Gideon's army.

36 Gideon's signs.

did evil.

2:13,14,19,20; Le 26:14-46; De 28:15-68; Ne 9:26-29; Ps 106:34-42

delivered.When God judges, he will overcome; and sinners shall be made either to bend or break before him. See the ensuing history.

Midian.

Ge 25:2; Nu 25:17,18; Hab 3:7

the hand.

Le 26:17; De 28:47,48

prevailed. Heb. was strong. dens.Dr. Shaw says, that a great way on each side Joppa, on the sea coast, there is a range of mountains and precipices; and in these high situations are generally found the dens, holes, or caves, which are so frequently mentioned in Scripture; and which were formerly the lonesome retreats of the distressed Israelites.

1Sa 13:6; 14:11; Heb 11:38; Re 6:15

when Israel.

Le 26:16; De 28:30-33,51; Job 31:8; Isa 65:21,22; Mic 6:15

Amalekites.

3:13

children.

33; 7:12; 8:10; Ge 29:1; 1Ki 4:30; Job 1:3

destroyed.

Le 26:16; De 28:30,33,51; Mic 6:15

till thou come.The Midianites dwelt beyond the eastern borders of the land of Canaan, east of the Dead Sea, and Gaza was on the Mediterranean, on the west: so that these invaders ravaged the whole breadth of the land.

Ge 10:19; 13:10

left no.

Pr 28:3; Jer 49:9,10; Ob 1:5

sheep. or, goat.

tents.

So 1:5; Isa 13:20

as grasshoppers.

7:12; 8:10; Jer 46:23

their camels.

8:21; 1Sa 30:17; Isa 60:6; Jer 49:29,32

to destroy.

Ps 83:4-12

impoverished.

Ps 106:43; *marg:

Jer 5:17; Mal 1:4

cried.

3:9,15; Ps 50:15; 78:34; 106:44; Isa 26:16; Ho 5:15

A.M. 2759. B.C. 1245. An. Ex. Is. 246. a prophet. Heb. aman, a prophet. Thus saith.

2:1-3; Ne 9:9-12; Ps 136:10-16; Isa 63:9-14; Eze 20:5-32

drave them.

Ps 44:2,3

I am the.

Ex 20:2,3

fear not.

2Ki 17:33,35-39; Jer 10:2

ye have.

2:2; Pr 5:13; Jer 3:13,25; 9:13; 42:21; 43:4,7; Zep 3:2; Ro 10:16

Heb 5:9

an angel.

14-16; 2:1-5; 5:23; 13:3,18-20; Ge 48:16; Jos 18:23; Isa 63:9

Abi-ezrite.

8:2; Jos 17:2

Gideon.

Heb 11:32

Gedeon. hide it . Heb. cause it to flee.

the angel.

13:3; Lu 1:11,28

The Lord.

2:18; Ex 3:12; Jos 1:5,9; Ru 2:4; Mt 1:23; 28:20; Lu 1:28

Ac 18:9,10

if the Lord.

Ge 25:22; Ex 33:14-16; Nu 14:14,15; Ro 8:31

why then.

De 29:24; 30:17,18; Ps 77:7-9; 89:49; Isa 59:1,2; 63:15

our fathers.

Ps 44:1; 78:3,4

forsaken us.

De 31:17; 2Ch 15:2; Ps 27:9; Isa 41:17; Jer 23:33

the Lord.

Go in.

4:6; Jos 1:5-9; 1Sa 12:11; 1Ch 14:9,10; Heb 11:32,34

wherewith.

Ex 3:11; 4:10; Jer 1:6; Lu 1:34

my family is poor. Heb. my thousand is the meanest.

Ex 18:21-25; 1Sa 9:21; 18:23; Mic 5:2

the least.

Ge 32:10; Jer 50:45; 1Co 15:9; Eph 3:8

12; Ex 3:12; Jos 1:5; Isa 41:10,14-16; Mt 28:20; Mr 16:20

Ac 11:21

If now.

Ex 33:13,16

shew.

36-40; Ge 15:8-17; Ex 4:1-9; 2Ki 20:8-11; Ps 86:17; Isa 7:11

bring.

13:15; Ge 18:3,5; 19:3

present. or, meat offering.

and made.Dr. Shaw observes, "Besides a bowl of milk, and a basket of figs, raisins, or dates, which upon our arrival were presented to us, to stay our appetite, the master of the tent fetched us from his flock, according to the number of our company, a kid or a goat, a lamb or a sheep; half of which was immediately seethed by his wife, and served up with {cucasoe;} the rest was made {kab-ab,} i.e., cut to pieces and roasted, which we reserved for our breakfast or dinner next day." May we not suppose, says Mr. Harmer, that Gideon presented some slight refreshment to the supposed prophet, according to the present Arab mode, and desired him to stay till he could provide something more substantial; that he immediately killed a kid, seethed a part of it, and when ready brought the stewed meat in a pot, with unleavened cakes of bread, which he had baked; and the other part, the {kab-ab,} in a basket for him to carry with him, for some after repast in his journey?

13:15-19; Ge 18:6-8

a kid. Heb. a kid of the goats. unleavened cakes.

Le 2:4

lay them.

13:19

pour out.

1Ki 18:33,34

rose up.

13:20; Le 9:24; 1Ki 18:38; 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:1

perceived.

13:21

because.

13:22,23; Ge 16:13; 32:30; Ex 33:20; De 5:5,24,26; Isa 6:5-8

Joh 1:18; 12:41

Peace be.

Ge 32:30; 43:23; Ps 85:8; Da 10:19; Joh 14:27; 20:19,26; Ro 1:7

built.

21:4; Ge 33:20; Jos 22:10,26-28

Jehovah-shalom. that is, The Lord send peace.

Ge 22:14; Ex 17:15; Jer 23:6; 33:16; Eze 48:35

Ophrah.

8:32

Take thy father's.

Ge 35:2; Job 22:23; Ps 101:2

even. or, and. throw.

1Ki 18:21; Mt 6:24; 2Co 6:15-17

thy father.

Mt 10:37; Ac 4:19; 5:29

cut down.

3:7; Ex 34:13; De 7:5

build.

2Sa 24:18

rock. Heb. strong place. the ordered place. or, an orderlymanner.

1Co 14:33,40

and did.

De 4:1; Mt 16:24; Joh 2:5; 15:14; Ga 1:16; 1Th 2:4

he did it.

Ps 112:5; Joh 3:2

Bring.

Jer 26:11; 50:38; Joh 16:2; Ac 26:9; Php 3:6

Will ye plead.The words are very emphatic: "Will ye plead in earnest ({tereevoon}) for Baal? Will ye really save ({tosheeoon}) him? If he be God, ({Elohim,}) let him contend for himself, seeing his altar is thrown down."

Ex 23:2; Nu 14:6; Eph 5:11

let him be.

De 13:5-18; 17:2-7; 1Ki 18:40

if he be.

1Ki 18:27,29; Ps 115:4-7; Isa 41:23; 46:1,7; Jer 10:5,11; 1Co 8:4

Jerubbaal. that is, Let Baal plead.

1Sa 12:11; 2Sa 11:21

Jerubbesheth: that is, Let the shameful thing plead.

Jer 11:13; Ho 9:10

Then all.

Ps 3:1; 27:2,3; 118:10-12; Isa 8:9,10; Ro 8:35-39

children.

3; 8:10,11; 1Ch 5:19; Job 1:3

went over.

7:24; Jos 3:16

the valley.

Jos 17:16; 19:18; 1Ki 18:45; 21:1

the Spirit.

3:10; 13:25; 14:19; 15:14; 1Sa 10:6; 11:6; 16:14; 1Ch 12:18

2Ch 24:20; Ps 51:11; 1Co 12:8-11

came upon. Heb. clothed.

Ro 13:14; Ga 3:27

blew.

3:27; Nu 10:3

Abi-ezer.

11; 8:2; Jos 17:2

was gathered. Heb. was called.

messengers.

2Ch 30:6-12

If thou wilt.

14,17-20; Ex 4:1-9; 2Ki 20:9; Ps 103:13,14; Mt 16:1

Behold.

De 32:2; Ps 72:6; Ho 6:3,4; 14:5

only.

Ps 147:19,20; Mt 10:5,6; 15:24

a bowl.

Isa 35:7

Let not thine.

Ge 18:32

dry.

Ps 107:33-35; Isa 35:6,7; 43:19,20; 50:2; Mt 8:12; 21:43

Ac 13:46; 22:21; 28:28; Ro 11:12-22

Judges 7

1 Gideon's army of two and thirty thousand is brought to three hundred.

9 He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake.

16 His stratagem of trumpets and lamps in pitchers.

24 The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.

Jerubbaal.It appears that Jerubbaal had now become the surname of Gideon. He is mentioned by Sanchoniathon, quoted by Eusebius, who lived in the reign of Ithobal, king of Tyre, and consequently a little after the time of Gideon, by the name of Jerombalus, a priest of Jeuo or Jao.

6:32

rose up.

Ge 22:3; Jos 3:1; 6:12; Ec 9:10

Moreh.

Ge 12:6

too many.

1Sa 14:6; 2Ch 14:11; Zec 4:6; 12:7; 1Co 1:27-29; 2:4,5; 2Co 4:7

2Co 10:4,5

Israel.

De 32:27; Isa 2:11,17; Jer 9:23; Ro 3:27; 11:18; 1Co 1:29; Eph 2:9

Jas 4:6

Mine own.

De 8:17; Isa 10:13; Eze 28:2,17; Da 4:30; Hab 1:16

Whosoever.

De 20:8; Mt 13:21; Lu 14:25-33; Re 17:14; 21:8

mount Gilead.Gideon was certainly not at mount Gilead, east of Jordan at this time; but rather near mount Gilboa, west of Jordan. Calmet thinks there must either have been two Gileads, which does not appear from Scripture to have been the case, or that the Hebrew text is corrupt, and that for Gilead we should read Gilboa. This reading, though adopted by Houbigant, is not confirmed by an MS. or version. Dr. Hales endeavours to reconcile the whole, by the supposition that in Gideon's army there were many eastern Manassites from mount Gilead, near the Midianites; and therefore proposes to read, "Whosoever from mount Gilead is fearful and afraid, let him return (home) and depart early."

twenty.

Mt 20:16

people.

Ps 33:16

I will.

Ge 22:1; 1Sa 16:7; Job 23:10; Ps 7:9; 66:10; Jer 6:27-30; Mal 3:2,3

lappeth.The original word {yalok,} is precisely the sound which the dog makes in lapping. It appears that it is not unusual for the Arabs to drink water out of the palms of their hands; and, from this account, we learn that the Israelites did so occasionally. Dr. A. Clarke, in his edition of Harmer, has presented us with the following curious MS. note from Dr. Russell. "When they take water with the palms of their hands, they naturally place themselves on their hams, to be nearer the water; but when they drink from a pitcher or gourd, fresh filled, they do not sit down on purpose to drink, but drink standing, and very often put the sleeve of their shirt over the mouth of the vessel, by way of strainer, lest small leeches might have been taken up with the water. For the same reason they often prefer taking the water with the palm of the hand to lapping it from the surface." From the letters of Busbequius we learn, that the Eastern people are not in the habit of drinking standing. The 300 men, who satisfied their thirst in the most expeditious manner, by this sufficiently indicated their spirit, and alacrity to follow Gideon in his dangerous enterprise; while the rest shewed their love of ease, self-indulgence, effeminacy, and want of courage.

18-22; 1Sa 14:6; Isa 41:14-16

trumpets.

3:27; Le 23:24; 25:9; Nu 10:9; Jos 6:4,20; Isa 27:13; 1Co 15:52

in the valley.

6:33

the same.

Ge 46:2,3; Job 4:13; 33:15,16; Mt 1:20; 2:13; Ac 18:9,10; 27:23

Arise.

Jos 1:5-9; Isa 41:10-16; 43:1,2

I have delivered.

3:10,28; 4:14,15; 2Ch 16:8,9; 20:17

4:8,9; Ex 4:10-14

thou shalt.

13-15; Ge 24:14; 1Sa 14:8,12

thine hands.

1Sa 23:16; Ezr 6:22; Ne 6:9; Isa 35:3,4; 2Co 12:9,10; Eph 3:16

Eph 6:10; Php 4:13

armed men. or, ranks by five.

Ex 13:18; *marg:

the Midianites.

6:3,5,33; 1Ki 4:30

grasshoppers.

8:10; 2Ch 14:9-12; Ps 3:1; 33:16; 118:10-12; Isa 8:9,10

lo, a cake.

3:15,31; 4:9,21; 6:15; Isa 41:14,15; 1Co 1:27

his fellow.

Nu 22:38; 23:5,20; 24:10-13; Job 1:10

into his hand.

Ex 15:14,15; Jos 2:9,24; 5:1; 2Ki 7:6,7

interpretation thereof. Heb. breaking thereof.

Ge 40:8; 41:11

worshipped.

Ge 24:26,27,48; Ex 4:30,31; 2Ch 20:18,19

Arise.

4:14; 2Co 10:4-6

three companies.This small number of men, thus divided, would be able to encompass the whole camp of the Midianites. Concealing the lamps in the pitchers, they would pass unobserved to their appointed stations; then, in the dead of the night, when most of the enemy were fast asleep, all at once breaking their pitchers one against another, with as much noise as they could, and blowing the trumpets and shouting; they would occasion an exceedingly great alarm. The obedience of faith alone could have induced such an expedient, which no doubt God directed Gideon to employ.--Scott.

a trumpet. Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them. empty.

2Co 4:7

lamps. or, fire-brands, or torches.

9:48; Mt 16:24; 1Co 11:1; Heb 13:7; 1Pe 5:3

blow ye.

the sword.The word {cherev,} "sword," necessarily implied, and rightly supplied by our venerable translators from ver. 20, is found in this place, in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, and in eight MSS.; and evidently appears to be genuine.

1Sa 17:47; 2Ch 20:15-17

in the beginning.

Ex 14:24; Mt 25:6; 1Th 5:2; Re 16:15

they blew.

brake.

16; Ps 2:9; Jer 13:13,14; 19:1-11

blew.How astonishing and overwhelming must the effect be, in a dark night, of the sudden glare of 300 torches, darting their splendour in the same instant on the half-awakened eyes of the terrified Midianites; accompanied with the clangor of 300 trumpets, alternately mingled with the thundering shout of {cherav yehovah oolegidon,} "The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon!"

Nu 10:1-10; Jos 6:4,16,20; Isa 27:13; 1Co 15:52; 1Th 4:16

brake.

2Co 4:7; Heb 11:4; 2Pe 1:15

stood.

Ex 14:13,14; 2Ch 20:17; Isa 30:7,15

all the host.

Ex 14:25; 2Ki 7:6,7; Job 15:21,22; Pr 28:1

blew.

Jos 6:4,16,20; 2Co 4:7

the Lord.

1Sa 14:16-20; 2Ch 20:23; Ps 83:9; Isa 9:4; 19:2

in. or, toward. Zererath.Probably the same as Zartanah.

1Ki 4:12

border. Heb. lip. Abelmeholah.Situated, according to Eusebius 16 miles south from Scythopolis, or Bethshan.

1Ki 4:12; 19:16

Tabbath.Probably the town of [Oébéd,] mentioned by Eusebius, 13 miles from Neapolis, or Shechem, towards Scythopolis.

6:35; 1Sa 14:21,22

sent.

3:27; Ro 15:30; Php 1:27

take before.

3:28; 12:5

Beth-barah.Probably the same as Betha-bara, beyond Jordan, and at the ford where the Hebrews passed under the direction of Joshua.

Joh 1:28

two princes.

8:3; Ps 83:11,12

rock.

Jos 7:26; Isa 10:26

Oreb.Eusebius and Jerome speak of a small place called Araba, three miles west from Scythopolis, which is supposed by some to have had its name from Oreb.

and brought.Among ancient nations, the head of the conquered chief was usually brought to the conqueror. Thus Pompey's head was brought to Cæsar, Cicero's head to Mark Anthony, and the heads of Ahab's children to Jehu. These barbarities are seldom practised now, except among the Mahommedans, or the savages of Africa and America; and for the credit of human nature, it is to be wished that such atrocities had never been committed.

on the other side.The words {maiaiver lyyarden,} may denote at the passage of Jordan, or from beyond Jordan. Gideon does not appear to have yet passed the Jordan.

8:4

Judges 8

1 Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites.

4 Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army.

10 Zebah and Zalmunna are taken.

13 Succoth and Penuel are destroyed.

17 Gideon revenges his brethren's death on Zebah and Zalmunna.

22 He refuses government.

24 His ephod the cause of idolatry.

28 Midian subdued.

29 Gideon's children, and death.

33 The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude.

the men.

12:1-6; 2Sa 19:41; Job 5:2; Ec 4:4; Jas 4:5,6

Why, etc. Heb. What thing is this thou hast done unto us?sharply. Heb. strongly.

What.

1Co 13:4-7; Ga 5:14,15; Php 2:2,3; Jas 1:19,20; 3:13-18

Is not the.That is, the Ephraimites have performed more important services than Gideon and his men had achieved.

Abiezer.

6:11,34

God.

7:24,25; Ps 44:3; 115:1; 118:14-16; Joh 4:37; Ro 12:3,6; 15:18,19

Php 2:3

Then.

Pr 15:1; 16:32; 25:11,15

anger. Heb. spirit.

faint.

1Sa 14:28,29,31,32; 30:10; 2Co 4:8,9,16; Ga 6:9; Heb 12:1-4

Succoth.

Ge 33:17; Ps 60:6

loaves.

Ge 14:18; De 23:4; 1Sa 25:18; 2Sa 17:28,29; 3Jo 1:6-8

5:23; Ge 25:13; 37:25,28; 1Sa 25:10,11; 1Ki 20:11; 2Ki 14:9

Pr 18:23; Php 2:21

tear. Heb. thresh.

Ge 32:30,31; 1Ki 12:25

I come.

1Ki 22:27,28

I will break.

Karkor.If this were the name of a place, it is no where else mentioned. Some contend that {karkor} signifies rest; and the Vulgate renders it {requiescebant,} "rested". This seems the most likely; for it is said (ver. 11) that Gideon "smote the host: for the host was secure."

children.

7:12

fell an hundred, etc. or, an hundred and twenty thousand,every one drawing a sword

7:22; 20:2,15,17,25,35,46; 2Ki 3:26; 2Ch 13:17; 28:6,8; Isa 37:36

Nobah.Nobah took its name from an Israelite who conquered it; and is said by Eusebius to have been, in his time, a forsaken place eight miles south from Heshbon. Jogbehah was probably near it.

Nu 32:35,42

secure.

18:27; 1Sa 15:32; 30:16; 1Th 5:3

took.

Jos 10:16-18,22-25; Job 12:16-21; 34:19; Ps 83:11; Am 2:14

Re 6:15,16; 19:19-21

discomfited. Heb. terrified.

before.The words {milmäâleh haichaires} should, most probably be rendered "from the ascent of Chares;" which is the reading of the LXX. Syriac, Arabic, and Houbigant.

caught.

1:24,25; 1Sa 30:11-15

described. Heb. writ.

upbraid.

6,7

the elders.

7; Pr 10:13; 19:29; Ezr 2:6

thorns.

Mic 7:4

taught. Heb. made to know.Instead of {wyyodâ,} Houbigant, Le Clerc, and others read {wyyadosh,} "and he tore or threshed;" and this is not only agreeable to what Gideon threatened (ver. 7), but is supported by the LXX. Vulgate, Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic. The Hebrew text might easily have been corrupted simply by the change of [Shîyn,] {shin,} into ['Ayin,] {ayin,} letters very similar to each other.

9; 1Ki 12:25

Tabor.

4:6; Ps 89:12

As thou art.

Ps 12:2; Jude 1:16

resembled. Heb. according to the form of, etc.

Jos 10:24; 1Sa 15:33; Ps 149:9

Rise thou.It was disgraceful to fall by the hands of a child; and death by the blows of such a person must be much more lingering and tormenting. Some have employed children to dispatch captives.

9:54; 1Sa 31:3,5; Re 9:6

slew.

Ps 83:1

ornaments. or, ornaments like the moon.

Isa 3:18

Rule thou.

9:8-15; 1Sa 8:5; 12:12; Joh 6:15

I will.

2:18; 10:18; 11:9-11; Lu 22:24-27; 2Co 1:24; 1Pe 5:3

the Lord.

1Sa 8:6,7; 10:19; 12:12; Isa 33:22; 63:19

give me.

Ge 24:22,53; Ex 12:35; 32:3; 1Pe 3:3-5

because.

Ge 16:10,11; 25:13; 37:25,28; 1Sa 25:11; 1Ki 20:11

a thousand.Taking the shekel at half an ounce, the sum of the gold ear-rings was 73 lbs. 4oz. and worth about £3,300 sterling.

collars. or, sweet jewels. purple.

Es 8:15; Jer 10:9; Eze 27:7; Lu 16:19; Joh 19:2,5; Re 17:4

Re 18:12,16

chains.

an ephod.

17:5; 18:14,17; Ex 28:6-12; 1Sa 23:9,10; Isa 8:20

Ophrah.

32; 6:11,24; De 12:5

a whoring.

Ex 23:33; Ps 73:27; 106:39; Ho 2:2; 4:12-14

a snare.

33; De 7:16

was Midian.

Ps 83:9-12; Isa 9:4; 10:26

forty years.

3:11,30; 5:31

Jerubbaal.

6:32; 1Sa 12:11

in his own house.

Ne 5:14,15

threescore.

9:2,5; 10:4; 12:9,14; Ge 46:26; Ex 1:5; 2Ki 10:1

of his body begotten. Heb. going out of his thigh. manywives.

Ge 2:24; 7:7; De 17:17; 2Sa 3:2-5; 5:13-16; 1Ki 11:3; Mal 2:15

Mt 19:5-8; Eph 5:31-33

concubine.

9:1-5; Ge 16:15; 22:24

called. Heb. set. Abimelech.

9:18; Ge 20:2

died in.

Ge 15:15; 25:8; Jos 24:29,30; Job 5:26; 42:17

Ophrah.

27; 6:24

as soon.

2:7-10,17,19; Jos 24:31; 2Ki 12:2; 2Ch 24:17,18

went.

27; 2:17; Ex 34:15,16; Jer 3:9

Baal-berith.Literally, "the lord of the covenant."

9:4,46

remembered.

Ps 78:11,42; 106:18,21; Ec 12:1; Jer 2:32

shewed.

9:5,16-19; Ec 9:14,15

Jerubbaal.Rather, Jerubbaal Gideon; as we say, Simon Peter; or call a person by his Christian and surname. Gideon was a mighty man of valour, a true patriot, evidently disinterested and void of ambition. He loved his country, and hazarded his life for it; but refused the kingdom, when offered to him and his heirs. The act of making the ephod was totally wrong; yet, probably it was done with no reprehensible design.