Judges 6 34

Judges 6:34 kjv

But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

Judges 6:34 nkjv

But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.

Judges 6:34 niv

Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

Judges 6:34 esv

But the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.

Judges 6:34 nlt

Then the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram's horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him.

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 34 Meaning

Judges 6:34 signifies a pivotal moment where the divine presence and power of God actively transform Gideon, a fearful and hesitant individual, into an empowered leader. The "Spirit of the LORD" is depicted as "clothing" Gideon, providing him with the necessary spiritual authority and strength for the formidable task of delivering Israel. This immediate divine enablement results in Gideon blowing the trumpet, a symbolic call to arms, and his own clan, Abiezer, gathering to follow his leadership. The verse highlights that Israel's deliverance would come not from Gideon's natural strength but through the Spirit of God working powerfully through him.

Judges 6 34 Context

Judges 6 finds Israel in severe oppression under the Midianites, who repeatedly plunder their land, leading them to hide in caves and dens. Gideon, initially presented as a fearful man threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites (Judges 6:11), encounters the Angel of the LORD. Despite the divine reassurance and commissioning him as a "mighty warrior" and savior, Gideon expresses doubt, asks for multiple signs, and struggles with insecurity about his small stature within his tribe and clan. Following God's instruction, Gideon has already torn down his father's altar to Baal and Asherah pole (v. 25-27), demonstrating obedience but still not fully embodying the courageous leader. Judges 6:34 marks the turning point after the Midianites and Amalekites had crossed the Jordan and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel, directly threatening Israel. It shows God's direct intervention, providing the supernatural enablement Gideon needed to move from fearful inaction to courageous leadership, initiating the process of gathering Israel for war.

Judges 6 34 Word analysis

• But: (waw conjunction, və-) Indicates a shift, a sharp contrast to Gideon's previous hesitancy and Israel's desperate situation. It signals divine action as the crucial turning point.
• the Spirit: (Hebrew: ruach, רוּחַ) Means "wind," "breath," "spirit." Here, it refers specifically to the divine, empowering presence of God. It's the life-giving, dynamic force of God, not a human emotional state.
• of the LORD: (Hebrew: YHWH, יהוה) The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal involvement, His sovereignty, and His commitment to His people, even in their idolatry and distress. It denotes that this empowering is from the ultimate source of power.
• clothed: (Hebrew: lavas, לָבְשָׁה) This is a strong and unique anthropomorphic metaphor. It's more than "came upon" or "entered into." It conveys the idea that Gideon was fully enveloped or taken hold of by the Spirit, much like one puts on a garment. It suggests a thorough, visible, and comprehensive divine empowerment that covers and permeates the individual, giving him strength, courage, and authority he didn't naturally possess. This imagery emphasizes the completeness of the Spirit's control and enabling. It implies transformation of one's essence and public manifestation of a new state. This polemically contrasts with pagan views where possession often meant losing control; here, the Spirit empowers for righteous action.
• Gideon: (Hebrew: Gid'on) The individual chosen by God, who had shown extreme doubt and fear. The focus here is on God's action on him, highlighting divine initiative and empowerment over human merit.
• and he blew: (Hebrew: va·yiṯ·qaʿ, וַיִּתְקַע) Means "he struck," "sounded," or "blew." It indicates a decisive, immediate action taken by Gideon as a direct result of being clothed with the Spirit. This action signals his transition from passivity to active leadership.
• a trumpet: (Hebrew: shophar, שׁוֹפָר) A ram's horn, distinct from the silver trumpets. Used in ancient Israel primarily as a call to assembly, a summons to war, or for sacred purposes (e.g., announcing the Jubilee). Here, it serves as a military call to action, demonstrating Gideon's now-unquestionable authority as leader and calling God's people to join the fight.
• and Abiezer: (Hebrew: Aviezer, אֲבִיעֶזֶר) Gideon's specific clan or family from Manasseh (see Judg 6:11, 29). The rallying starts with his immediate familial and tribal connection, demonstrating localized immediate recognition and response to the divine call. This validates Gideon's position among his own people.
• was gathered after him: (Hebrew: niq·qab·beṣ ’a·ḥa·rāw, נִקְבַּץ אַחֲרָיו) "Was assembled," "summoned," or "congregated." This signifies that the people responded to Gideon's call, recognizing his divinely sanctioned leadership. It marks the beginning of the mustering of the Israelite army.

Judges 6 34 Bonus section

The Old Testament concept of the Ruach YHWH coming upon individuals (like Othniel, Jephthah, Samson, Saul, David, and here Gideon) typically signifies a temporary, special empowering for a specific task—be it leadership, prophesy, or extraordinary physical feats. This differs from the New Testament understanding of the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers post-Pentecost (John 14:16-17, Acts 2:38, Eph 1:13-14), which transforms the believer from within and empowers for a life of discipleship and witness. This Old Testament pattern showcases God's personal selection and equipment for immediate, often military or judicial, divine interventions. The imagery of "clothing" the Spirit further amplifies this, presenting it as an outward manifestation and enablement, much like wearing a uniform or protective gear.

Judges 6 34 Commentary

Judges 6:34 is a powerful declaration of God's active involvement in the midst of Israel's weakness and Gideon's hesitation. The extraordinary imagery of the "Spirit of the LORD clothing Gideon" paints a vivid picture of complete and pervasive divine empowerment. This was not a subtle influence but a visible, almost tangible, taking hold of the individual, transforming his capabilities. This endowment reversed Gideon's earlier timidity and enabled him to immediately and confidently step into his role as God's chosen deliverer. His immediate action of blowing the shofar served as a public manifestation of this newfound divine authority, a clarion call that transcended human doubt and spurred the initial rallying of his own clan. This verse underscores the foundational truth that God does not rely on human strength or talent, but instead chooses and enables ordinary (or even fearful) individuals through His sovereign Spirit to accomplish His mighty purposes. It's a reminder that deliverance comes by divine enablement, making it clear that the victory belongs to God.