Deep Dive

Judges 7:21

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Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 21

This chapter presents us with Gideon in the field, commanding the army of Israel, and routing the army of the Midianites, for which great exploit we found in the former chapter how he was prepared by his converse with God and his conquest of Baal. We are here told, I. What direction God gave to Gideon for the modelling of his army, by which it was reduced to 300 men (Jdg 7:1, Jdg 7:8). II. What encouragement God gave to Gideon to attack the enemy, by sending him secretly into their camp to hear a Midianite tell his dream (Jdg 7:9-15). III. How he formed his attack upon the enemy's camp with his 300 men, not to fight them, but to frighten them (Jdg 7:16-20). IV. The success of this attack; it put them to flight, and gave them a total rout, the disbanded forces, and their other neighbours, then coming in to his assistance (Jdg 7:21-25). It is a story that shines very brightly in the book of the wars of the Lord.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 21

עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) רוּעַ (rûwaʻ, H7321) — to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout… נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Proverbs 28:1rank 4

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Exodus 14:25rank 3

He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”

II Chronicles 20:17rank 3

You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

Isaiah 30:15rank 2

For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence— but you were not willing.”

Isaiah 30:7rank 2

Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.

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