Judges 7 21

Judges 7:21 kjv

And they stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

Judges 7:21 nkjv

And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled.

Judges 7:21 niv

While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

Judges 7:21 esv

Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled.

Judges 7:21 nlt

Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape.

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 21 Meaning

Judges 7:21 describes the pivotal moment in Gideon's battle where a small, obedient Israelite force of 300 remained steadfast in their positions while God divinely orchestrated chaos within the vast Midianite camp. The enemy's numerous soldiers were thrown into immediate and utter confusion, resulting in a panicked flight characterized by aimless running, cries of alarm, and complete rout, demonstrating that victory belonged solely to the Lord and not to human strength or numbers.

Judges 7 21 Context

Judges 7:21 is a critical point in Gideon's campaign against the Midianites, who had oppressed Israel for seven years (Jdg 6:1). Chapter 7 details God's reduction of Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men, emphasizing that victory would be clearly divine, preventing Israel from boasting of their own strength. This elite 300, armed only with trumpets, empty jars, and torches, represented extreme weakness from a military perspective, forcing utter reliance on Yahweh. The strategy involved psychological warfare: surrounding the vast Midianite camp, breaking the jars to reveal lights, blowing trumpets, and shouting "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" This created the illusion of an overwhelming force and ignited internal panic. Historically, Midianites were nomadic raiders, their camps typically large and disorganized. Culturally, large armies were prized for strength; God's method directly challenged this by showcasing His ability to bring victory through seemingly absurd means, directly contrasting His power with the gods of the Midianites and the conventional might of their chariots and camel cavalry.

Judges 7 21 Word analysis

• And they stood (וַיַּעַמְדוּ - wa-ya'amdu): From the Hebrew root amad, meaning "to stand, remain, endure." This highlights the disciplined, unwavering posture of Gideon's 300. In contrast to the enemy's chaos, the Israelites demonstrated calm and obedience, implying active faith in God's plan rather than human initiative.
• every man (אִישׁ - ish): Refers to each individual soldier. Emphasizes the personal obedience and discipline of the 300, a key element of their trust in God's unconventional strategy.
• in his place (בִּמְקוֹמוֹ - bimqomo): From Hebrew maqom, meaning "place, stand, locality." This denotes specific, assigned positions around the camp, underscoring their strategic encirclement and meticulous adherence to Gideon's (and God's) command. Their immobility was central to the psychological effect.
• round about (סָבִיב - saviv): Literally "around, surrounding." Indicates a complete encirclement of the Midianite camp, creating a comprehensive impression of being trapped.
• the camp (הַמַּחֲנֶה - ha-machaneh): Refers to the Midianite encampment. It was likely sprawling and ill-disciplined due to its nomadic nature and sheer size.
• and all the host of the Midianites (וְכָל הַמַּחֲנֶה מִדְיָן - vechol ha-machaneh Midian): "All the host" (literally "the entire camp") underscores the vast numerical superiority of the enemy (estimated at 135,000 in Jdg 8:10), making their flight all the more astonishing and undeniably a divine act.
• ran (וַיָּרֻצוּ - wa-yarutzu): From Hebrew ruts, meaning "to run." This is the initial, immediate, and instinctive reaction of sheer panic and disarray among the Midianite soldiers, running aimlessly without orders or direction.
• and cried out (וַיַּשִׁיקוּ - wa-yash'eequ): From Hebrew sha'aq, meaning "to cry aloud, shriek, howl." This signifies a cry of alarm, terror, and desperate confusion, adding to the chaotic scene. It likely indicates men crying out to their gods, or in fear for their lives.
• and fled (וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ - wa-yishlachû): While some texts or interpretations may have "vayyanusu" (fled), yishlachû (from shalach) typically means "to send, stretch out, cast off." In context, this implies they were "sent away" or "dispersed" by an unseen hand—driven away by divine panic. It captures the final, complete routing of the enemy.

• "stood every man in his place": This phrase highlights the radical obedience and faith of Gideon's small force. Their unwavering, static position amidst the chaotic assault demonstrates supreme discipline born of trust in God. They were mere spectators of a divine operation.
• "all the host of the Midianites ran, and cried out, and fled": This sequence vividly portrays the escalating panic and utter disintegration of the massive Midianite army. From undirected running to desperate cries, culminating in a complete and disordered rout, their defeat was swift, complete, and self-inflicted due to divine intervention, not direct combat.

Judges 7 21 Bonus section

This verse embodies the principle of "standing still and seeing the salvation of the Lord" (Ex 14:13). The Midianite's "crying out" could reflect their invoking their false gods, showing their impotence against Yahweh's power. The entire episode serves as a powerful polemic against any notion that military success is achieved by human might, revealing Yahweh as the true warrior God of Israel. For believers today, Judges 7:21 offers a profound lesson in reliance upon God's unconventional wisdom over worldly methods, in patiently abiding in faith when faced with overwhelming odds, and understanding that the power for spiritual breakthrough comes from divine intervention, not personal effort alone.

Judges 7 21 Commentary

Judges 7:21 is a profound statement about divine power and the nature of spiritual warfare. It contrasts human strength (the vast Midianite host) with divine strategy enabled by human obedience (Gideon's 300 men, motionless). The key to victory was not conventional military might or direct engagement, but the strategic, light-and-sound-based deception God revealed to Gideon. The Midianites were not defeated by Israelite swords but by an unseen divine hand that caused them to perceive overwhelming numbers and turned their own weapons against each other in the darkness and confusion (Jdg 7:22). This verse epitomizes God using weak and unlikely means to achieve a magnificent triumph, ensuring all glory is directed to Him. It teaches that our victory in any battle, be it physical or spiritual, is found not in our own efforts or numbers, but in quiet trust and radical obedience to God's instructions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. It emphasizes that the true battle is always the Lord's.