Judges 7 20

Judges 7:20 kjv

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

Judges 7:20 nkjv

Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers?they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing?and they cried, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!"

Judges 7:20 niv

The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"

Judges 7:20 esv

Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"

Judges 7:20 nlt

Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 20 Meaning

Judges 7:20 describes the climactic moment of Gideon's tactical assault against the Midianites. It details the simultaneous, coordinated actions of Gideon's 300 men: blowing their trumpets, shattering their hiding pitchers to reveal lamps, holding these instruments purposefully in their hands, and collectively shouting a potent battle cry attributing victory to the LORD and Gideon. This verse captures the critical psychological warfare designed by God, turning a small band of Israelites into a terrifying and seemingly overwhelming force, leading to the enemy's self-destruction and flight.

Judges 7 20 Context

Judges 7:20 is the dramatic culmination of God's preparatory work with Gideon's army. Israel had suffered greatly under Midianite oppression for seven years (Jdg 6:1). God chose Gideon, a humble man, to deliver Israel, and then dramatically reduced his army from 32,000 to just 300 men, ensuring that the victory would clearly be attributed to the LORD, not human strength or numbers. Gideon's strategy, directly given by God, involved using trumpets, empty pitchers concealing lamps, and a coordinated shout. The attack occurred at midnight, the middle watch (Jdg 7:19), catching the Midianites off guard in their sleep, amplifying the shock and psychological impact. The brilliance of this tactic lies in its ability to simulate an overwhelming force using minimal men, creating mass confusion and terror among the enemy.

Judges 7 20 Word analysis

• And the three companies: Represents the highly disciplined and small remnant chosen by God, contrasting sharply with the massive Midianite horde. This highlights God's preference for quality over quantity and His ability to work through humble instruments.
• blew the trumpets: Hebrew: shophar (שופר). A ram's horn used for signaling war, celebration, or divine pronouncement (e.g., at Sinai). Its loud, piercing sound served as a battle cry, creating sudden alarm and mimicking the advance of a large army.
• and broke the pitchers: Hebrew: kad (כַּד). An earthenware vessel. The sudden shattering sound (simultaneous for 300 men) created confusion, noise, and chaos in the enemy camp, signifying the breaking away of obscurity and the revealing of God's light.
• and held the lamps: Hebrew: lapid (לַפִּיד). Torches made from resin-soaked material. These lamps, suddenly revealed from the broken pitchers, multiplied the appearance of lights in the darkness, making it seem like a vast army surrounded the Midianites, increasing their terror and disorientation. Light in scripture often signifies God's presence, truth, or deliverance.
• in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow therewith: Details the preparedness and precise coordination. Holding a lamp (light source) in one hand and a trumpet (sound source) in the other ensures simultaneous sensory overload for the enemy, while also leaving them poised for further action if needed.
• and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. Hebrew: za'aq (זָעַק - cried out) for "cried," and ḥereb (חֶרֶב - sword). This loud, unified shout was the final element of psychological warfare. "The sword of the LORD" declares God as the primary warrior and source of victory, shifting focus from human might to divine intervention. The inclusion "and of Gideon" acknowledges God's chosen human instrument through whom the divine power works, not as an equal partner, but as His obedient vessel. It was a declaration of Yahweh's decisive power over the idols and forces of the Midianites.

Judges 7 20 Bonus section

The three hundred men, reduced by God, exemplify the principle of dependence on Him, demonstrating that salvation belongs to the LORD (Ps 3:8). The entire maneuver was a psychological masterstroke; the Midianites, hearing trumpets from all directions and seeing lights, likely overestimated the Israelite force significantly. The synchronized action, carried out in darkness, amplified the effect of an ambush by countless adversaries, inducing "divine terror" which led the enemy to self-annihilation. This event powerfully underscores God's sovereignty over armies and outcomes, ensuring no human boast (Jdg 7:2) could diminish His glory. It is a polemic against reliance on human might and a testament to the power of faith and obedience.

Judges 7 20 Commentary

Judges 7:20 is the operational climax of Gideon's extraordinary strategy, showcasing God's power made perfect in weakness. It illustrates divine warfare where confusion, not combat, delivers victory. The coordinated actions of blowing trumpets, breaking pitchers, and shouting produced a sensory assault designed to create the illusion of an overwhelming force surrounding the Midianite camp. This engineered chaos induced panic and infighting among the enemy, fulfilling God's promise that Israel would not need to use their own swords. The repeated mention of "the LORD" underscores that the triumph was entirely His doing, despite utilizing Gideon's obedience. This verse highlights the profound biblical truth that God's methods are often unconventional and defy human logic, consistently prioritizing His glory above human achievement.

• Example 1: When facing overwhelming odds, a believer trusts God's unique strategy rather than conventional methods.
• Example 2: Like the sudden revealing of light, a Christian's witness, often quiet, can powerfully dispel spiritual darkness when God empowers it.