Judges 6 14

Judges 6:14 kjv

And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

Judges 6:14 nkjv

Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?"

Judges 6:14 niv

The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

Judges 6:14 esv

And the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?"

Judges 6:14 nlt

Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!"

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 14 Meaning

Judges 6:14 marks a pivotal moment where the Lord Yahweh directly confronts Gideon's doubts and commissions him for the liberation of Israel. Despite Gideon's assessment of his own insignificance and the despair of his people, God reveals that the "might" required for this salvation is inherent in Gideon because God Himself is sending and empowering him. It is a declaration of divine calling and empowerment, affirming that God's presence and command provide all necessary strength to accomplish His will.

Judges 6 14 Context

Judges chapter 6 introduces Israel under severe oppression by the Midianites, Ammonites, and Amalekites due to their disobedience and worship of Baal and Asherah. For seven years, they hid in caves and strongholds, their harvests destroyed, and livestock plundered. In their desperation, they cried out to the Lord, who then sent a prophet to remind them of their unfaithfulness. The narrative shifts to Gideon, found threshing wheat in a hidden winepress to escape Midianite notice. An angel of the Lord appears to him, greeting him as a "mighty man of valor" (Judg 6:12). Gideon immediately expresses deep skepticism and complaint about Israel's suffering and God's apparent abandonment (Judg 6:13). Judges 6:14 is God's direct, unequivocal response, bypassing Gideon's self-assessment and lamentation, directly commissioning him for the task of deliverance. It moves the interaction from lament to divine mandate.

Judges 6 14 Word analysis

• And the Lord: Hebrew: וַיִּפֶן (vayyifen) יְהוָה (YHWH/Yahweh). "YHWH" is the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His active engagement with His people. "Vayyifen" literally means "He turned," implying intentional regard, focused attention, and a direct response. It signifies an intimate, personal engagement from the Creator of the universe.
• looked upon him: The specific Hebrew verb, "vayyifen," indicates more than just a glance; it signifies turning attention or even facing towards someone. In this context, it emphasizes the directness and intentionality of God's personal address and commissioning of Gideon. It's a gaze of purposeful selection and command.
• and said: Signifies a direct divine address, carrying absolute authority. What follows is not a suggestion but a divine command and revelation of intent.
• Go: Hebrew: לֵךְ (lekh). An imperative verb, a direct command. It signifies action, movement, and a divine summons to a task. It's an order to step into an assigned role.
• in this thy might: Hebrew: בְּכֹחֲךָ זֶה (b’kochaka zeh). "Koach" (כֹּחַ) means strength, power, or ability. The demonstrative pronoun "zeh" ("this") points to an already existing, perhaps unrecognized, or newly infused power. The divine speaker does not attribute this might to Gideon's physical prowess or military skill, but to the fact of God's commission itself. The 'might' is not inherent to Gideon's human frailties (which he just voiced), but originates from God's sending and presence. This challenges Gideon’s perception of himself as "weakest" and "least."
• and thou shalt save: Hebrew: וְהוֹשַׁעְתָּ (vehoshata). "Vahoshata" is from the root yasha (ישע), meaning "to save, deliver, rescue, liberate." It is a declaration of what Gideon will do, stated as a certainty, despite Gideon’s doubts. This emphasizes divine assurance of success, shifting focus from Gideon’s capability to God’s intent.
• Israel from the hand of the Midianites: Specifies the mission and the enemy. It emphasizes a divine act of liberation for His chosen people from their oppressor. "Hand" signifies power, control, or oppression.
• have not I sent thee?: Hebrew: הֲלֹא שְׁלַחְתִּיךָ (halo shlach’tikha). This rhetorical question functions as a forceful affirmation and the ultimate ground for Gideon's "might." It underscores the divine authority, initiative, and backing behind the mission. The emphasis is on the Sender, not the sent. It silences any further argument about Gideon’s fitness by shifting the burden of capability from Gideon to God Himself. This question establishes God's authorization as the supreme source of power and legitimacy for Gideon's task.

• "Go in this thy might": This phrase is central. It means to proceed with the power that is implicitly or explicitly granted through God's calling. It redefines Gideon's perceived weakness into God's appointed strength. The "might" is not from Gideon's human resources but from the divine commission itself.
• "and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites": This is the explicit objective and a prophecy of certain victory. It positions Gideon as the divine instrument for Israel’s salvation, not by his own ability, but by God working through him.
• "have not I sent thee?": This rhetorical question functions as the core theological basis for the entire commission. It grounds Gideon's "might" not in himself but in the direct, authoritative sending of the Almighty God. God's act of sending intrinsically includes the empowering. It leaves no room for human counter-argument concerning worthiness or ability. This phrase refutes Gideon’s lack of confidence by asserting God's omnipotence and initiative. It's the ultimate reassurance and directive.

Judges 6 14 Bonus section

This verse embodies the "divine paradox" often seen in Scripture: God often selects the most unsuitable human agents to achieve His greatest works. This approach directly contrasts with the pagan beliefs of the time, which would likely have attributed military success to a god empowering a physically imposing and renowned warrior. Here, Yahweh deliberately chooses a fearful, uncertain individual from an insignificant clan to highlight that the deliverance is His doing, ensuring His glory. The "might" is therefore not about Gideon's physical or military capabilities but about the spiritual empowerment and sovereign will of the Lord Himself, turning perceived weakness into an arena for God's perfect strength.

Judges 6 14 Commentary

Judges 6:14 represents a pivotal moment of divine commission, transforming an insecure farmer into God's appointed deliverer. The Lord's command, "Go in this thy might," challenges Gideon's self-deprecating assessment by asserting that the necessary "might" is not some innate quality of Gideon, but rather flows directly from the divine mandate itself. God's sending is Gideon's strength; His presence is Gideon's power. The rhetorical question, "Have not I sent thee?", encapsulates this theological truth, firmly rooting the efficacy of the mission in the divine initiative and authority, not in human strength or strategy. This verse powerfully illustrates that God often chooses the weak and the unlikely to demonstrate His supreme power, showing that His assignments come with His enabling grace and resources, making the impossible, humanly speaking, achievable.