Judges 6:1--9:57
did evil <06213 07451> [did evil.]
so <05414> [delivered.]
When God judges, he will overcome; and sinners shall be made either to bend or break before him. See the ensuing history.
Midian <04080> [Midian.]
<03027> [the hand.]
overwhelmed <05810> [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.
Israelites <03478> [when Israel.]
Amalekites <06002> [Amalekites.]
people <01121> [children.]
devoured <07843> [destroyed.]
<0935> [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.
sheep <07716> [sheep. or, goat.]
tents <0168> [tents.]
locusts <01767 0697> [as grasshoppers.]
camels <01581> [their camels.]
devour <07843> [to destroy.]
weakened <01809> [impoverished.]
cried out <02199> [cried.]
<0376> [A.M. 2759. B.C. 1245. An. Ex. Is. 246. a prophet. Heb. a man, a prophet. Thus saith.]
drove <01644> [drave them.]
Lord <03068> [I am the.]
God .... worship ... gods <03372 0430> [fear not.]
disobeyed <08085> [ye have.]
messenger <04397> [an angel.]
Abiezrite <033> [Abi-ezrite.]
Gideon <01439> [Gideon.]
[Gedeon. hide it . Heb. cause it to flee.]
messenger <04397> [the angel.]
Lord's ......... Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
Lord is ......................... Lord ........... Lord <03426 03068> [if the Lord.]
overtaken <04672> [why then.]
ancestors <01> [our fathers.]
abandoned .... handed ... over <05203 05414> [forsaken us.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
strength <03212 03581> [Go in.]
how <04100> [wherewith.]
clan .... weakest <01800 0504> [my family is poor. Heb. my thousand is the meanest.]
youngest <06810> [the least.]
pleased <04672> [If now.]
give <06213> [shew.]
<03318> [bring.]
gift <04503> [present. or, meat offering.]
prepared <06213> [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?
goat <05795> [a kid. Heb. a kid of the goats. unleavened cakes.]
this <03240 01975> [lay them.]
pour out .... Gideon <08210> [pour out.]
flared up <05927> [rose up.]
realized ................ seen <07200> [perceived.]
have <03651> [because.]
safe ..... afraid <07965 03372> [Peace be.]
built <01129> [built.]
<03073> [Jehovah-shalom. that is, The Lord send peace.]
Ophrah <06084> [Ophrah.]
Take ...... father's .................. father's <01 03947> [Take thy father's.]
second <08145> [even. or, and. throw.]
father's .................. father's <01> [thy father.]
cut down <03772> [cut down.]
build <01129> [build.]
stronghold <04581> [rock. Heb. strong place. the ordered place. or, an orderly manner.]
did ........................ do ...... so ... waited <06213> [and did.]
did ........................ do ...... so ... waited ... nighttime <06213 03915> [he did it.]
Bring out <03318> [Bring.]
battles .......................... battles <07378> [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."
die <04191> [let him be.]
god <0430> [if he be.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [Jerubbaal. that is, Let Baal plead.]
[Jerubbesheth: that is, Let the shameful thing plead.]
Midianites <04080> [Then all.]
people <01121> [children.]
crossed <05674> [went over.]
Valley <06010> [the valley.]
spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
control ... Gideon <03847 01439> [came upon. Heb. clothed.]
blew <08628> [blew.]
Abiezrites <044> [Abi-ezer.]
summoning <02199> [was gathered. Heb. was called.]
messengers ............... messengers <04397> [messengers.]
really <03426> [If thou wilt.]
putting <03322> [Behold.]
dry <02721> [only.]
bowl <05602> [a bowl.]
angry <0639> [Let not thine.]
dry <02721> [dry.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [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.
got up <07925> [rose up.]
Moreh <04176> [Moreh.]
many <07227> [too many.]
Israel <03478> [Israel.]
over <03027> [Mine own.]
fear <03373> [Whosoever.]
Mount Gilead <01568 02022> [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-two <06242> [twenty.]
men <05971> [people.]
ranks <06884> [I will.]
lap ....... laps <03952> [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.
trumpets <07782> [trumpets.]
valley <06010> [in the valley.]
night <03915> [the same.]
Get <06965> [Arise.]
handing <05414> [I have delivered.]
listen <08085> [thou shalt.]
brave <03027> [thine hands.]
sentries were guarding <02571> [armed men. or, ranks by five.]
Midianites <04080> [the Midianites.]
locusts <0697> [grasshoppers.]
cake <06742> [lo, a cake.]
other <07453> [his fellow.]
handing <03027> [into his hand.]
interpretation ... praised <07667 07812> [interpretation thereof. Heb. breaking thereof.]
praised <07812> [worshipped.]
Get up <06965> [Arise.]
three ..... three units <07218 07969> [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.
trumpets <07782> [a trumpet. Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them. empty.]
torches <03940> [lamps. or, fire-brands, or torches.]
When ......... blow our trumpets .... blow <08628 07782> [blow ye.]
Lord <03068> [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.
beginning <07218> [in the beginning.]
blew <08628> [they blew.]
broke <05310> [brake.]
blew ..................... right <08628> [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!"
broke <07665> [brake.]
stood <05975> [stood.]
camp .... army <04264> [all the host.]
blew <08628> [blew.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Zererah <06888> [in. or, toward. Zererath.]
Probably the same as Zartanah.
border <08193> [border. Heb. lip. Abelmeholah.]
Situated, according to Eusebius 16 miles south from Scythopolis, or Bethshan.
Tabbath <02888> [Tabbath.]
Probably the town of [O‚b‚d,] mentioned by Eusebius, 13 miles from Neapolis, or Shechem, towards Scythopolis.
sent <07971> [sent.]
Take control .... fords of the streams ................... took control .... fords <03920 04325> [take before.]
Beth Barah ...................... Beth Barah <01012> [Beth-barah.]
Probably the same as Betha-bara, beyond Jordan, and at the ford where the Hebrews passed under the direction of Joshua.
two ... generals <08147 08269> [two princes.]
rock <06697> [rock.]
Oreb ...... Oreb ...... Oreb .................. Oreb <06159> [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.
brought <0935> [and brought.]
Among ancient nations, the head of the conquered chief was usually brought to the conqueror. Thus Pompey's head was brought to C‘sar, 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.
side <05676> [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.
Ephraimites <0376> [the men.]
Why <04100> [Why, etc. Heb. What thing is this thou hast done unto us? sharply. Heb. strongly.]
accomplished <06213> [What.]
leftover grapes <05955> [Is not the.]
That is, the Ephraimites have performed more important services than Gideon and his men had achieved.
Abiezer's <044> [Abiezer.]
God <0430> [God.]
<07307> [Then.]
<07307> [anger. Heb. spirit.]
exhausted <05889> [faint.]
Succoth <05523> [Succoth.]
loaves <03603> [loaves.]
thresh <01758> [tear. Heb. thresh.]
return <07725> [I come.]
tear <05422> [I will break.]
Karkor <07174> [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."
peoples <01121> [children.]
peoples ... hundred <03967 05307> [fell an hundred, etc. or, an hundred and twenty thousand, every one drawing a sword]
Nobah <05025> [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.
surprised <0983> [secure.]
captured <03920> [took.]
surprised <02729> [discomfited. Heb. terrified.]
pass <04608> [before.]
The words {milm„ƒleh haichaires} should, most probably be rendered "from the ascent of Chares;" which is the reading of the LXX. Syriac, Arabic, and Houbigant.
captured <03920> [caught.]
wrote down <03789> [described. Heb. writ.]
insulted <02778> [upbraid.]
leaders <02205> [the elders.]
thorns <06975> [thorns.]
threshed <03045> [taught. Heb. made to know.]
Instead of {wyyodÆ’,} 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 [ShÅ’yn,] {shin,} into ['Ayin,] {ayin,} letters very similar to each other.
Tabor <08396> [Tabor.]
like ... Each one <03644 0259> [As thou art.]
looked like <08389> [resembled. Heb. according to the form of, etc.]
Gideon ..... strike ........... So <06965 06293> [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.
killed <02026> [slew.]
crescent-shaped ornaments <07720> [ornaments. or, ornaments like the moon.]
Rule ...... son .... grandson <04910 01121> [Rule thou.]
rule ........ rule ....... rule <04910> [I will.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Each .... give ... an <05414 0376> [give me.]
Ishmaelites <03459> [because.]
seventeen hundred <0505> [a thousand.]
Taking the shekel at half an ounce, the sum of the gold ear-rings was 73 lbs. 4oz. and worth about Å“3,300 sterling.
jewelry <05188> [collars. or, sweet jewels. purple.]
necklaces <06060> [chains.]
ephod <0646> [an ephod.]
Ophrah <06084> [Ophrah.]
prostituted <02181> [a whoring.]
snare <04170> [a snare.]
Midian <04080> [was Midian.]
forty years <0705 08141> [forty years.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [Jerubbaal.]
home <01004> [in his own house.]
seventy <07657> [threescore.]
fathered <03409 03318> [of his body begotten. Heb. going out of his thigh. many wives.]
concubine <06370> [concubine.]
<07760> [called. Heb. set. Abimelech.]
Ophrah <06084> [Ophrah.]
Gideon <01439> [as soon.]
prostituted <02181> [went.]
Baal-Berith <01170> [Baal-berith.]
Literally, "the lord of the covenant."
remain <02142> [remembered.]
treat .................. done <06213> [shewed.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [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.
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
Shechem <07927> [Shechem.]
said <01696> [communed.]
want <02896> [Whether, etc. Heb. What is good? whether, etc. threescore.]
blood <06106> [your bone.]
spoke <01696> [spake.]
Abimelech <0310> [to follow. Heb. after. our brother.]
temple <01004> [house.]
lawless <07386> [vain, etc.]
{Anashim raikim oophochozim,} "worthless and dissolute men;" persons who were living on the public, and had nothing to lose. Such was the foundation of his Babel government. By a cunning management of such unprincipled men most revolutions are brought about.
Ophrah <06084> [at Ophrah.]
murdered <02026> [slew.]
Beth <01004> [the house.]
Millo <04407> [Millo.]
Probably the name of a person of note in Shechem.
oak <0436> [plain. or, oak.]
Mount Gerizim <01630 02022> [mount Gerizim.]
Listen ........... listen <08085> [Hearken.]
trees <06086> [The trees.]
This is the most ancient fable or apologue extant; and is extremely beautiful, apposite, and intelligible.
olive tree <02132> [olive tree.]
The {zayith,} or olive tree, in the Linnean system, is a genus of the {diandra monogynia} class of plants. It is of a moderate height, and grows best in sunny places. Its trunk is knotty; bark smooth, of an ash colour: wood solid and yellowish; leaves oblong, almost like those of the willow, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and whitish below. In June it puts forth white flowers, growing in bunches, each of one piece, widening towards the top, and dividing into four parts. After this succeeds the fruit, which is oblong and plump; first green, then pale, and when quite ripe, black. Within it is enclosed a hard stone, filled with oblong seeds. It was the most useful of all trees in the forest; as the bramble was the meanest and most worthless.
king <04427> [Reign.]
honor <03513> [wherewith.]
gods <0430> [God.]
{Elohim,} rather gods; the parable being adapted to the idolatrous Shechemites.
sway ..... trees <05128 06086> [to be promoted over the trees. Heb. up and down for other trees.]
makes <08055> [cheereth.]
thornbush <0329> [bramble. or, thistle.]
branches <06738> [shadow.]
fire <0784> [let fire.]
cedars <0730> [the cedars.]
repaid <01576> [according.]
fought <03898> [fought.]
risked ... life <05315 07993> [adventured his life. Heb. cast his life.]
attacked <06965> [are risen.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
happiness ....... happiness <08055> [rejoice.]
fire blaze from ............. fire ... blaze from <03318 0784> [let fire come out.]
Beer <0876> [Beer.]
Probably the Beer mentioned by Mr. Maundrell, three hours and a half, or about ten miles, north of Jerusalem, towards Shechem. It is situated toward the south, on an easy declivity; and has a fountain of excellent water at the bottom of the hill, from which it has taken its name. Close to the well are the mouldering walls of a ruined {khan;} and on the summit of the hill two large arches still remain of a ruined convent. Dr. Richardson says, that it seems to have been once a place of considerable consequence.
God <0430> [A.M. 2771. B.C. 1233. An. Ex. Is. 258. God.]
That is, God permitted the evil spirit of jealousy, treachery, and discord, to break out between Abimelech and the Shechemites.
disloyal <0898> [dealt.]
violent <02555> [That the.]
murdered .................. helped ... murder <02026 02388> [aided him in the killing of. Heb. strengthened his hands to kill.]
Sooner or later, God will make inquisition for blood, and will return it on the heads of those that shed it. Accessaries will be reckoned with, as well as principals, in that and other sins. The Shechemites, who countenanced Abimelech's pretensions, aided and abetted him in his bloody project, and avowed the fact by making him king after he had done it, must fall with him, fall by him, and fall first. Those that combine together to do wickedly, are justly dashed in pieces one against another. Blood cannot be a lasting cement to any interest.
brothers <0251> [brethren.]
celebrated <01974> [merry. or, songs.]
temple <01004> [the house.]
ate <0398> [did eat.]
cursed <07043> [cursed.]
Abimelech <040> [Who is Abimelech.]
Hamor <02544> [Hamor.]
men <05971> [would to God.]
The very words and conduct of a sly, hypocritical demagogue.
challenged <0559> [And he said.]
Rather, "and I would say to Abimelech," as the LXX. renders; for as Dr. Wall observes, this was probably not said in the presence of Abimelech; but at an intemperate feast, in his absence, when he boasted he would challenge him.
Muster ... army ..... for battle <07235 06635> [Increase thine army.]
furious <02734> [kindled. or, hot.]
Arumah <08649> [privily. Heb. craftily, or, to Tormah. they fortify.]
Under pretence of repairing the walls and towers, they were actually putting the place in a state of defence, intending to seize on the government as soon as they found Abimelech coming against them.
night <03915> [by night.]
can <03027 04672> [as thou shalt find. Heb. as thine hand shall find.]
Gaal <01603> [Gaal.]
Of this person we know no more than is here recorded. He was probably one of the descendants of the Canaanites, who hoped, from the state of the public mind and their disaffection to Abimelech, to cause a revolution, and thus to restore the ancient government as it was under Hamor, the father of Shechem. Josephus says he was a man of authority, who sojourned with them, with his armed men and kinsmen; and that the Shechemites desired that he would allow them a guard during the vintage.
men <05971> [the people.]
saw .......................... seeing ... shadows <06738 07200> [seest the shadow.]
Doubdan states, that in some parts of the Holy Land there are many detached rocks scattered up and down, some growing out of the ground, and others fragments broken off from rocky precipices, the shadow of which, it appears, Josephus thought might be most naturally imagined to look like troops of men at a distance, rather than that of the mountains; for he represents Zebul as saying to Gaal, that he mistook the shadow of the rocks for men.
center <02872> [middle. Heb. navel. Meonenim. or, the regarders of the times.]
ran from <06440 05127> [he fled before.]
Arumah <0725> [Arumah.]
This place appears from the next verse to have been near Shechem; and is perhaps the same as Ruma, a village of Galilee, mentioned by Josephus, Bell. 1. iii. c. 9.
Zebul <02083> [Zebul.]
blocked ........... attacked <06584> [rushed forward.]
captured <03920> [he took.]
leveled <05422> [beat.]
spread <02232> [sowed.]
Salt in small quantities renders land extremely fertile; but too much of it destroys vegetation. Every place, says Pliny, in which salt is found is barren, and produces nothing. Hence the sowing of a place with salt was a custom in different nations to express permanent desolation. Sigonius observes, that when Milan was taken, A.D. 1162, the walls were razed, and it was sown with salt. And Brantome informs us, that it was an ancient custom in France, to sow the house of a man with salt, who had been declared a traitor to his king. Charles IX., king of France, the most base and perfidious of human beings, caused the house of Admiral Coligni (whom he and the Duke of Guise caused to be murdered, with thousands more of Protestants, on the eve of St. Bartholomew, 1572,) to be sown with salt!
stronghold <06877> [an hold.]
Zalmon <06756> [Zalmon.]
seen <07200> [What ye.]
do ........ do <06213> [me do. Heb. I have done.]
put ...... stronghold ...... it <07760 06877> [put them.]
Thebez <08405> [Thebez.]
According to Eusebius, thirteen miles from Shechem, towards Scythopolis.
woman <0802> [woman.]
shattered <07533> [and all to.]
An antiquated expression, meaning "full intention" to complete an object. "All to," observes Dr. Johnson, "is a particle of mere enforcement." The original is {wattaritz eth gulgalto,} which is simply as the LXX. render [kai eklase to kranion autou,] "and she brake his skull." Plutarch relates, that Pyrrhus was killed at the siege of Thebes, by a piece of a tile, which a woman threw upon his head.
Draw ... sword <08025 02719> [Draw thy.]
young man ....................... young man <05288> [And his young man.]
It was a disgrace to be killed by a woman.
God repaid <07725 0430> [God rendered.]
Both the fratricide Abimelech and the unprincipled men of Shechem had the iniquity visited upon them of which they had been guilty. Man's judgment may be avoided; but there is no escape from that of God. How many houses have been sown with salt in France, by the just judgment of God, for the massacre of the Protestants on the eve of St. Bartholomew! See Note on ver. 45.
spoken <0935> [upon them.]
