Judges 7 11

Judges 7:11 kjv

And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.

Judges 7:11 nkjv

and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp." Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp.

Judges 7:11 niv

and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.

Judges 7:11 esv

And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp." Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp.

Judges 7:11 nlt

Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack." So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp.

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 11 Meaning

Judges 7:11 reveals God's direct and personal provision for Gideon's fear, offering a practical path to gain courage. The Lord instructed Gideon to covertly approach the Midianite camp with his servant, Phurah, to overhear the enemy's discussions. This divine insight, intended to be heard directly from the enemies' own mouths, would supernaturally strengthen Gideon's resolve and empower him to proceed with the battle plan. It demonstrates God's attentiveness to His servant's psychological state and His commitment to ensuring Gideon's success by unconventional means.

Judges 7 11 Context

Judges 7 stands as a pivotal moment in Gideon's leadership journey and the Israelites' deliverance from Midianite oppression. Despite Gideon initially gathering a large army, God systematically reduced its numbers, first from 32,000 to 10,000, and then dramatically to a mere 300 men, to ensure that the victory would clearly be attributed to the Lord alone and not to human strength. Gideon, although previously receiving miraculous signs (Judg 6:36-40), still harbored deep-seated fear concerning the overwhelming size of the Midianite-Amalekite coalition (estimated as "like grasshoppers for multitude" in Judg 7:12). In response to this very specific, unarticulated fear that God perceived in Gideon, the Lord graciously offered this precise instruction in Judges 7:11. It was not a command to immediately engage in battle but a compassionate provision for Gideon's psychological reassurance, allowing him to observe the enemy's state of mind and morale from a position of relative safety. This reconnaissance was critical for fortifying Gideon's faith and enabling him to bravely lead his small contingent into an seemingly impossible conflict.

Judges 7 11 Word analysis

• and thou shalt hear (וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֣, ve-shāmata): From the Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (shama'), "to hear, listen, obey." This isn't passive hearing, but implies attentiveness. Its significance lies in God providing direct, auditory evidence for Gideon. It's an intimate act of divine communication, tailored to Gideon's specific need for reassurance beyond general promises. God meets Gideon's uncertainty with concrete sensory input, ensuring conviction.
• what they say; (אֲשֶׁר־יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ, asher yedabberu): Refers to the conversation of the Midianite and Amalekite forces. The crucial detail is "what they say" – implying their morale, plans, or simply their musings. God knew what would be spoken, demonstrating His omniscient foresight and sovereign control even over the enemies' thoughts.
• and afterward (וְאַחַ֖ר, ve-'aḥar): This emphasizes divine timing and sequence. The strengthening is conditional upon the hearing; it's a cause-and-effect relationship established by God. This indicates a progression in Gideon's faith journey – first, receiving evidence, then gaining courage.
• shall thine hands be strengthened (תֶּחֱזַ֙קְנָה֙ יָדֶ֔יךָ, teḥezáqna yadekha): "Hands" (יָדֶיךָ, yadekha) symbolize action, strength, and capability. "Be strengthened" comes from the root חָזַק (ḥazaq), meaning to be strong, firm, bold, courageous. It refers to inner resolve, courage, and renewed vigor to perform the task ahead. It implies overcoming paralyzing fear. This strengthening is not merely psychological but divinely imparted power to act decisively.
• to go down unto the camp. (לָרֶ֥דֶת בַּמַּחֲנֶֽה, la-rédeth ba-mmaḥăneh): "To go down" (לָרֶדֶת, la-rédeth) signifies a descent, often literal and symbolic of entering a lower, potentially more vulnerable, position. "Camp" (מַחֲנֶה, maḥăneh) refers to the military encampment. This phrase denotes the direct and immediate objective after Gideon is strengthened: to confront the very threat that caused his fear.
• Then went he down (וַיֵּ֤רֶד הֽוּא֙, vay-yered hu): This shows Gideon's obedience. Despite his earlier fear, he acts on God's instruction, indicating the beginning of his courage.
• with Phurah his servant (וּפֻרָ֣ה נַעֲר֔וֹ, u-phurāh na'aró): "Phurah" means "branch" or "foliage." "His servant" (נַעֲרוֹ, na'aro) denotes a trusted aide, a young man, often someone in training or in close proximity to his master. Phurah's presence served as a witness to God's intervention, a source of personal support, and possibly as a scout, showing the practicality of God's command. His inclusion highlights the communal and verifiable aspect of this divine encouragement.
• unto the outermost part (אֶל־קְצֵ֥ה, el-qeṣēh): "Outermost part" (קְצֵה, qeṣēh) signifies the edge, border, or periphery. This strategic positioning was close enough to overhear but distant enough for relative safety and stealth.
• of the armed men that were in the camp. (הַחֲלוּצִ֖ים אֲשֶׁר־בַּמַּחֲנֶֽה, hachalutzím asher-ba-mmaḥăneh): "Armed men" (הַחֲלוּצִים, hachalutzim) are those ready for battle, arrayed or equipped. This emphasizes the immediate, tangible threat Gideon was sent to observe. The location highlights the proximity to danger but also the potential for valuable intelligence gathering.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened": This grouping highlights God's strategic use of intelligence gathering coupled with a promise of spiritual strengthening. The cause (hearing) directly leads to the effect (courage). It is a bespoke encouragement, tailored precisely to Gideon's specific need for concrete proof, transforming apprehension into conviction through verifiable information. This reveals God's meticulous care, not just in general providence but in understanding and addressing individual human fear and doubt.
• "to go down unto the camp. Then went he down with Phurah his servant": This sequence emphasizes immediate and specific obedience following divine command and promise. "Going down" implies an act of humble, direct confrontation of the fear-inducing entity, not avoidance. Gideon's swift action, even with a single servant, demonstrates the trust instilled by God's promise. Phurah’s presence adds a layer of confirmation and companionship in a vulnerable mission. This act signifies the transition from questioning faith to active obedience, illustrating how divine instruction enables human courage.
• "unto the outermost part of the armed men that were in the camp": This specifies the precise location and nature of the target for reconnaissance. "Outermost part" signifies caution and strategy, observing from a safe, yet effective, distance. The "armed men" underscore the military threat, highlighting the danger and, consequently, the courage required to approach them. This shows that God's plan involved direct observation of the challenge, ensuring that Gideon faced his fear with informed courage rather than blind faith, confirming the enemy's disposition.

Judges 7 11 Bonus section

• Divine Accomodation: This verse highlights God's willingness to stoop to human weakness. He doesn't chide Gideon but accommodates his fear, providing a practical, observable sign to bolster his courage. This demonstrates a compassionate God who knows the human heart and its needs beyond abstract faith.
• The Power of Perception: The significance is less about new information (God already knew the outcome) and more about Gideon's perception. Hearing the enemy's morale directly shifted Gideon's perspective from overwhelming numbers to their actual state of fear, activating his faith in God's prior promises.
• Faith Through Hearing: While usually referring to hearing God's word, in this unique instance, hearing the enemy's word served as an immediate, practical catalyst for faith in God's word already given to Gideon. It confirms the principle that God uses various means to build conviction.

Judges 7 11 Commentary

Judges 7:11 illustrates God's condescending grace toward Gideon's faltering faith. While Gideon had seen two fleece miracles, God knew his lingering fear of the massive Midianite host. Instead of rebuke, God offered a personalized, practical sign: the chance to hear the enemy's own words. This was a psychological masterstroke by God, a divine espionage operation designed not for tactical gain but for Gideon's internal fortification. Hearing the Midianites speak of their own dread and premonitions of defeat (as described in the subsequent verses, 7:13-14) provided the tangible proof Gideon needed to translate God's abstract promises into concrete courage. His hands, representing his capacity for action and leadership, would be supernaturally strengthened, transforming his apprehension into audacious faith. This verse shows that God not only equips His chosen but tenderly meets them in their weaknesses, providing reassurance and proof that empower them to fulfil His mighty purposes.