Judges 7 1

Judges 7:1 kjv

Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

Judges 7:1 nkjv

Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the well of Harod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.

Judges 7:1 niv

Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh.

Judges 7:1 esv

Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

Judges 7:1 nlt

So Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon) and his army got up early and went as far as the spring of Harod. The armies of Midian were camped north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh.

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 1 Meaning

Judges 7:1 introduces the commencement of the campaign against the Midianites, highlighting Gideon, also known by his confrontational name Jerubbaal, and the initial assembly of his Israelite army. The verse meticulously sets the geographical stage for the imminent divine intervention and dramatic reduction of Israel's forces, describing their encampment by the symbolic "Spring of Harod" (a name suggesting fear or trembling) while their formidable Midianite enemies were positioned to the north, by the "Hill of Moreh" in the valley. This pivotal verse marks the transition from God's direct call and Gideon's preparation in Chapter 6 to the physical confrontation, meticulously orchestrating the scene for God's powerful demonstration.

Judges 7 1 Context

Judges chapter 7 verse 1 is strategically placed immediately after the divine commission of Gideon in Judges chapter 6. In the preceding chapter, Gideon, a man initially burdened with doubts and a sense of insignificance (Jdg 6:15), was chosen by God to deliver Israel from a crushing seven-year Midianite oppression that had ravaged the land, forcing the Israelites to seek refuge in caves and suffering widespread desolation (Jdg 6:1-6). God repeatedly provided signs to assure Gideon, including a miraculous sign with an angel and the dramatic tests involving a fleece (Jdg 6:17-21, 36-40). Critically, Gideon had also demonstrated spiritual courage by obeying God's command to demolish his father's altar to Baal and Asherah, replacing it with an altar to the Lord, an act that earned him the alternative name "Jerubbaal" (Jdg 6:25-32), symbolizing his direct defiance of pagan worship.

Historically, this event transpires during the turbulent Judges period (approximately 12th-11th centuries BC), a cycle marked by Israel's apostasy, subsequent foreign oppression, cries for deliverance, and God raising up a judge to restore order. The gathered Israelite force, initially numbering 32,000 men (as noted in Jdg 6:35, though not explicitly stated in Jdg 7:1 itself), represented the human attempt to address this threat. However, God's purpose was to significantly reduce this army to unmistakably prove that victory came solely from His hand, not from human might. The location in the fertile Jezreel Valley (also known as the Plain of Esdraelon) was a well-known ancient battlefield, making it a strategic staging ground for such a large confrontation.

Judges 7 1 Word analysis

• Then (וַיַּשְׁכֵּם - Vayashkêm - and he rose early): The Hebrew word signifies promptness and decisive action. It implies an immediate and diligent response by Gideon and his forces, following the divine assurances and instructions received in Judges chapter 6. This readiness sets the tone for the coming events.
• Jerubbaal (יְרֻבַּעַל - Yērŭba‘al): This is the alternative name for Gideon, meaning "let Baal contend" or "Baal will strive/fight." It was bestowed upon him in Judges 6:32 after his audacious act of destroying his father's altar to Baal and the Asherah pole. Its inclusion here highlights Gideon's spiritual resolve and his identity as one who has actively confronted idolatry, establishing a significant connection between the ongoing spiritual battle for Israel's allegiance and the imminent military one.
• who is Gideon (הוּא גִדְעוֹן - hû Gid'on): This parenthetical phrase serves as a clarifying link for the reader, confirming that Jerubbaal and Gideon are the same person. The name Gideon (גִּדְעוֹן - Gid'on) means "hewer" or "feller," potentially alluding to his role in felling the Baal altar and symbolically, the Midianite oppressors. This dual identification underscores his multifaceted role as a deliverer, both spiritual and military.
• and all the people who were with him: This refers to the full contingent of Israelite volunteers—initially 32,000 men (from Jdg 6:35)—who rallied to Gideon's call. This phrase establishes the large initial numerical strength of the Israelite army, which will subsequently be dramatically reduced by divine command, preparing the reader for God's demonstration of power through a small, chosen remnant.
• rose early (וַיַּשְׁכֵּם - Vayashkêm): This phrase emphasizes the swift mobilization and readiness of Gideon and his assembled forces. It conveys eagerness, obedience, and an immediate resolve to engage in the conflict.
• encamped (וַיַּחֲנוּ - vayachanu - and they encamped): This denotes their act of establishing a military camp, signifying their preparedness for battle and positioning themselves strategically against the enemy.
• beside the spring of Harod (עֵין חֲרֹד - 'Ein Charod): Literally translating to "Spring of Trembling" or "Spring of Fright," this specific geographic marker is profoundly symbolic. Its name foreshadows the divine test that will immediately follow (Jdg 7:3), where the fearful in Gideon's army will be sent home. It suggests that fear or trepidation will be a key factor in the selection process, linking the physical location to a spiritual and psychological filtering.
• the camp of Midian (מַחֲנֵה מִדְיָן - machaneh Midyan): This denotes the enemy's extensive encampment, comprising not only Midianites but also their allied Amalekite and "people of the East" forces, described elsewhere as being innumerable, "like locusts" (Jdg 7:12). Their mere presence signifies the formidable and overwhelming odds Israel faced without divine aid.
• was north of them (מִצָּפוֹן לוֹ - mitzaphon lô - to its north): This provides a crucial topographical detail, situating the vast Midianite forces to the north of Gideon's Israelite camp. This positioning suggests a clear strategic setup within the Jezreel Valley for a decisive battle.
• by the hill of Moreh (בְּגִבְעַת הַמּוֹרֶה - b’Giv'at ha-Moreh): This is another distinct geographical landmark, literally meaning "Hill of the Teacher" or "Hill of Rain." It marks the precise location of the massive enemy encampment. This prominence may suggest a strategic vantage point or a significant local reference point within the valley, emphasizing the established position of the oppressing forces.

Judges 7 1 Bonus section

• The selection process at the Spring of Harod (detailed in the following verses) involved not just eliminating the fearful, but also those who demonstrated a lack of alertness or self-discipline in their drinking method. This signifies God's intention for a consecrated, vigilant force, rather than just a numerically small one.
• The Jezreel Valley, or Esdraelon, is one of the most strategically vital and oft-contested battlefields in biblical history. Its open terrain, suitability for chariots (which the Midianites possessed), and its control over trade routes made it a key geographical prize. The battle here cemented its significance.
• Gideon's entire journey, starting from his doubt and requiring multiple signs, demonstrates a critical theological principle: God often calls and uses imperfect individuals, and He builds their faith incrementally, proving His faithfulness step-by-step.
• The dramatic reduction of Israel's forces from 32,000 to just 300 men (in Jdg 7:7) serves as a potent, tangible illustration of God's declaration that salvation does not come from large armies (Psa 33:16-17), ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone.

Judges 7 1 Commentary

Judges 7:1 acts as the critical opening to the climactic narrative of Gideon's victory, building upon the divine mandate and personal assurances from Chapter 6. The prominent use of "Jerubbaal" before "Gideon" is deliberate, serving as an immediate spiritual reminder of Gideon's foundational act of defiance against Baal worship. This subtle naming prepares the reader for a victory that will underscore YHWH's sovereignty over idolatry and human might. The detail that Gideon and "all the people" "rose early" conveys an immediate, zealous response, indicating a human willingness and promptness for battle.

The specific geographic setting is highly significant: Gideon's encampment at the "Spring of Harod," or "Spring of Trembling," serves as a prophetic backdrop for God's unconventional methods. This named location perfectly prefigures the divine culling of Gideon's army, where the fearful are dismissed. This foretells a victory engineered by God, not human courage or numbers. Conversely, the placement of the overwhelming Midianite forces to the "north of them by the hill of Moreh" illustrates the sheer numerical disparity. This meticulously laid out scene is designed to leave no ambiguity: any impending victory will be entirely God's, preventing Israel from boasting in its own strength. The verse concisely lays the groundwork for one of the Bible's most dramatic demonstrations of God working through human weakness for His glory, removing all grounds for human pride and securing the unequivocal triumph of YHWH over both military and spiritual adversaries.