Judges 7 8

Judges 7:8 kjv

So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

Judges 7:8 nkjv

So the people took provisions and their trumpets in their hands. And he sent away all the rest of Israel, every man to his tent, and retained those three hundred men. Now the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

Judges 7:8 niv

So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley.

Judges 7:8 esv

So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

Judges 7:8 nlt

So Gideon collected the provisions and rams' horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him. The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon.

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 8 Meaning

This verse details the crucial final preparations of Gideon's divinely reduced army and strategically positions them against the overwhelming Midianite forces. It describes the selected three hundred men equipping themselves with provisions and trumpets, while the vast majority of the Israelite army is sent home. The location of the Midianite camp, visibly sprawling below Gideon's vantage point, dramatically highlights the profound numerical disparity and sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, emphasizing that victory would come by His power alone, not human strength.

Judges 7 8 Context

h2Judges chapter 7 follows Gideon's initial call and commission by God to deliver Israel from the oppressive Midianites, who had severely plundered the land for seven years. After assembling a large army of 32,000 men, God deemed the numbers too great, lest Israel take credit for the victory themselves. First, He commanded Gideon to send home all those who were fearful, reducing the army to 10,000. Still considering this too many, God instructed Gideon to test the men at the water. Only the three hundred men who lapped the water like a dog, staying alert and vigilant, were chosen. This drastic reduction set an unprecedented stage for an act of pure divine intervention, making the upcoming victory undeniable proof of God's power and sovereignty, which perfectly frames Judges 7:8, the culmination of this rigorous selection process.

Judges 7 8 Word analysis

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• So the people: (Hebrew: ha'am) This refers to the specific "people" who remained, the three hundred chosen men, distinct from the larger assembly that was dismissed. It highlights the formation of God's distinct army.
• took provisions: (Hebrew: tzēdāh) This word signifies sustenance or food for a journey. The act of taking provisions, even for a battle intended to be divinely won, demonstrates practical foresight and preparedness. It implies that these men were ready for a campaign, regardless of its duration or conventional nature.
• in their hand: This emphasizes the personal readiness and responsibility of each man to carry his own supplies. It suggests an active and willing participation, characteristic of the chosen few.
• and their trumpets: (Hebrew: shōphărōṯām) These were rams' horns, not just musical instruments, but military and ceremonial signaling devices. They were crucial in ancient Israelite warfare for assembling, alarming, and signaling. In this context, they became 'spiritual weapons', central to God's non-conventional battle plan at Jericho (Josh 6) and now with Gideon. This suggests Gideon also collected trumpets from the dismissed soldiers, equipping the 300 not just with their personal trumpets but possibly others as well.
• And he sent all Israel, every man to his tent: "He" refers to Gideon, acting on God's direct command (Jdg 7:3, 7). This dramatic dismissal highlights the counter-intuitive nature of God's warfare strategy, demonstrating a deliberate reduction of human might to magnify divine power. "To his tent" means to their homes, signaling a complete disbanding of the rest of the army.
• but retained the three hundred men: (Hebrew: ḥāzaq) "Retained" implies Gideon firmly held onto this small, divinely selected group. This action is the focal point, underscoring that the victory would belong entirely to God, fought by a minuscule, humble force, deliberately chosen for their vigilance and by God's decree.
• And the army of Midian: (Hebrew: maḥăneh Miḏyān) This refers to the vast, oppressive force of Midianites, Amalekites, and "people of the East" (Jdg 6:3; 7:12), which was as numerous as locusts or sand on the seashore.
• was below him: Implies Gideon and his small contingent were positioned on higher ground, likely on a ridge or hill overlooking the valley. This elevated position provided a clear view of the sprawling enemy camp, further emphasizing the massive numerical disadvantage and allowing for strategic observation and a psychological advantage, or simply a visual assessment of the overwhelming odds they faced.
• in the valley: (Hebrew: bā‘ēmeq) A common topographical feature for ancient battles. Here, it denotes the location of the enemy camp, presenting a clear, expansive target for God's impending display of power against overwhelming human force. The visual contrast between the small Israelite force on the heights and the massive Midianite host in the valley bottom is striking.

Judges 7 8 Bonus section

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• God's Methodology of Humbling: The detailed narrative of Gideon's army reduction (from 32,000 to 300) highlights a consistent theme in God's interaction with humanity: He frequently chooses to work through insufficiency to demonstrate His omnipotence. This is not about the efficacy of small numbers, but about magnifying divine power in the face of human inadequacy.
• Psychological Impact: For Gideon and the 300, seeing the vast Midianite army while being so few was a test of supreme faith. God's positioning "below him in the valley" not only provided strategic overview but intensified the sense of overwhelming odds, requiring complete trust in the divine commander.
• Prophetic Echoes: The trumpet, or shofar, carried deep spiritual significance. Its prominent role foreshadows other divine interventions where non-traditional "weapons" or divine sounds play a crucial role, often associated with divine judgment or salvation (e.g., in Revelation).
• Provision for the Journey: The inclusion of "provisions" subtly counters the idea that they were sent into battle to be miraculously fed on site without any human effort. It reinforces that divine plans often work with, not entirely in spite of, human preparation and common sense. It was the spirit of dependence that was tested, not their basic human needs.

Judges 7 8 Commentary

h2Judges 7:8 marks a pivotal moment, completing the divinely orchestrated thinning of Gideon's army and setting the scene for an unprecedented victory. The seemingly pragmatic act of the 300 men taking provisions reveals God's strategy often integrates human obedience and preparedness, even when the outcome is entirely dependent on Him. The emphasis on "their trumpets" is critical; these were not conventional offensive weapons but symbolic instruments for God's purposes, echoing the battle of Jericho, where shofars were used to demonstrate divine power over human military might. By dismissing the vast majority of Israel's forces, God systematically removed any grounds for human boasting, ensuring His glory alone would be magnified (Jdg 7:2). The verse starkly contrasts the meager 300 with the formidable Midianite host sprawled in the valley below. This visual asymmetry underscores a fundamental biblical principle: God frequently uses the weak, few, or despised to accomplish His will, confounding human wisdom and showcasing His irresistible power. This act built Gideon's faith and prepared him to witness a miracle far beyond human comprehension. It demonstrates God's unique battle plans, emphasizing reliance on His command over human resources.