Judges 7 23

Judges 7:23 kjv

And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

Judges 7:23 nkjv

And the men of Israel gathered together from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and pursued the Midianites.

Judges 7:23 niv

Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites.

Judges 7:23 esv

And the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after Midian.

Judges 7:23 nlt

Then Gideon sent for the warriors of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, who joined in chasing the army of Midian.

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 23 Meaning

Judges 7:23 describes how, following the initial panic and rout of the Midianite army instigated by Gideon and his three hundred men, various tribes of Israel, specifically Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, assembled and joined the pursuit of the fleeing enemies. This highlights a broader, albeit secondary, involvement of the nation in consolidating the victory that the Lord had already secured through a miraculous intervention.

Judges 7 23 Context

Judges 7 occurs during a period of Israel's recurring apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. For seven years, the Midianites, Amalekites, and "people of the East" severely oppressed Israel, devastating their land and resources. God raised Gideon to deliver Israel. Initially, a large army gathered, but God drastically reduced it to 300 men, ensuring that the victory would be clearly seen as His work, not Israel's might. With this small, Spirit-empowered force, Gideon attacked the Midianite camp, causing utter confusion and a rout. Judges 7:23 directly follows this miraculous victory, where the fleeing Midianite forces now face pursuit not only from Gideon's 300 but also from the wider Israelite population, particularly those tribes mentioned, who assembled belatedly to participate in the final defeat of the enemy.

Judges 7 23 Word analysis

• And the men of Israel,: Implies a broader national response beyond the initial small force, highlighting participation from the wider community.
• gathered together: Hebrew: יִצָּעֵקוּ (yit͡s'a'qu - Niphal imperfect of tza'aq). While the root tza'aq often means to cry out, here in the Niphal stem it conveys "to be summoned," "to be assembled," or "to collect oneself." This indicates they responded to the battle cry or news of the rout and came together, rather than being initially part of Gideon's select force. Their gathering is a reactive assembly, prompted by the Midianite flight.
• out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh,: Specifies the tribal contingents that joined the pursuit. These tribes were part of the initial call to arms in Jdg 6:35. Their inclusion here demonstrates a regional effort to capitalize on the victory.
  • Naphtali: A northern tribe, known for its fierce warriors. Mentioned also in Jdg 5:18 for its valor.
  • Asher: Another northern tribe, though sometimes criticized for dwelling too contentedly by the sea in other passages. Their participation here shows involvement.
  • all Manasseh: Refers to the whole tribe, possibly including both east and west of the Jordan, suggesting a significant contingent. This tribe had direct connections with Gideon (who was a Manassite).
• pursued after: Hebrew: וַיִּרְדְּפוּ (vayyird'fu - Waw consecutive Imperfect of radaf). This verb denotes active, energetic chase or pursuit. It emphasizes the determination to follow and utterly defeat the fleeing enemy, not merely letting them escape. This physical pursuit completes the strategic and miraculous rout.
• the Midianites.: The collective enemy, emphasizing the focus of the Israelite action. They were the primary oppressors, now subject to God's judgment being carried out by His people.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the men of Israel, gathered together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh,": This phrase signifies the broadening scope of the Israelite engagement. It transitions from God's chosen few to a larger, nationally representative effort, even if delayed. It underscores tribal participation in the divinely-won victory, showing a measure of unity and determination to complete the rout of the enemy, which was crucial for a decisive win.
• "pursued after the Midianites.": This short phrase encapsulates the critical action taken. The pursuit was not passive. It ensured that the miraculous rout became a total military defeat, preventing the Midianites from regrouping and resuming their oppression. This action demonstrated human responsibility in completing the victory God initiated.

Judges 7 23 Bonus section

The involvement of these tribes also highlights a key aspect of leadership in Israel during this period: rallying people for collective action. While Gideon's original call drew large numbers, it was the undeniable, divinely-instigated panic of Midian that spurred these particular tribes to action after the initial "battle." This dynamic often reappears in scripture, where God initiates, and His people then follow through, learning obedience and cooperation in the process. The verse also hints at the geographical spread of Midian's flight, extending across northern territories, necessitating the pursuit by tribes in those regions to drive out the enemy from the land completely.

Judges 7 23 Commentary

Judges 7:23 serves as a pivotal point after the miraculous initial rout of Midian by God through Gideon's 300. It demonstrates that while the decisive breakthrough was God's work, He still requires and involves His people in the consolidation and completion of the victory. The rallying of the men from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh illustrates a necessary shift from an elite, divinely-selected strike force to a broader, national engagement. These tribes, who had likely been demoralized by the long oppression, were now invigorated by the news of Midian's panic and flight, rising to pursue a defeated foe. This collective pursuit was crucial; it turned a mere flight into a catastrophic rout for Midian, minimizing their capacity to re-oppress Israel. The verse underlines that divine deliverance often prompts and requires human participation, ensuring total victory and preventing the enemy from regrouping. It reminds believers that after God performs the mighty deed, there is still work for us to do in faith, running in the path He has cleared.