Judges 7:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and after you hear what they are saying, you will have the courage to attack the camp." So with his servant Purah he went down to the outposts of the camp.

Berean Standard Bible:

and listen to what they are saying. Then your hands will be strengthened to attack the camp.” So he went with Purah his servant to the outposts where armed men were guarding the camp.

American Standard Version:

and thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thy hands be strengthened to go down into the camp. Then went he down with Purah his servant unto the outermost part of the armed men that were in the camp.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt hear^{H8085} what they say^{H1696}; and afterward^{H310} shall thine hands^{H3027} be strengthened^{H2388} to go down^{H3381} unto the host^{H4264}. Then went he down^{H3381} with Phurah^{H6513} his servant^{H5288} unto the outside^{H7097} of the armed men^{H2571} that were in the host^{H4264}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Judges 7:11

Judges 7:11 is part of the larger narrative of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel, who is called by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. The book of Judges covers a period in Israel's history where the nation experienced cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

In the specific context of Judges 7:11, God has instructed Gideon to reduce the size of his army significantly to demonstrate that the victory over the Midianites will be achieved by divine power rather than human might. Gideon initially musters a large force, but God whittles it down to just 300 men through a series of tests.

The verse itself is a continuation of God's instructions to Gideon. God tells Gideon to go to the Midianite camp with his servant Phurah to overhear the enemy's conversations. The purpose of this reconnaissance mission is to bolster Gideon's faith and courage. God assures Gideon that hearing the Midianites will strengthen his resolve to attack the vast enemy camp. The verse emphasizes the theme of trust in God's promises, as Gideon is being asked to rely on divine assurance rather than military strength.

Historically, this account reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where military might was often seen as the key to victory. In contrast, the narrative of Gideon's battle against the Midianites turns this notion on its head, highlighting the Israelite's belief in a God who can grant victory against overwhelming odds when His people trust in Him. The story of Gideon serves as a powerful illustration of faith and the sovereignty of God in the face of adversity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H310
   There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחַר
   Transliteration: ʼachar
   Pronunciation: akh-ar'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2388
   There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָזַק
   Transliteration: châzaq
   Pronunciation: khaw-zak'
   Description: a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4264
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַחֲנֶה
   Transliteration: machăneh
   Pronunciation: makh-an-eh'
   Description: from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6513
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֻּרָה
   Transliteration: Purâh
   Pronunciation: poo-raw'
   Description: for פְּאֹרָה; foliage; Purah, an Israelite; Phurah.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5288
   There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נַעַר
   Transliteration: naʻar
   Pronunciation: nah'-ar
   Description: from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age); babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man).
   
10. Strong's Number: H7097
    There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָצֶה
    Transliteration: qâtseh
    Pronunciation: kaw-tseh'
    Description: or (negative only) קֵצֶה; from קָצָה; (used in a great variety of applications and idioms; compare קֵץ); an extremity; [idiom] after, border, brim, brink, edge, end, (in-) finite, frontier, outmost coast, quarter, shore, (out-) side, [idiom] some, ut(-ter-) most (part).
    
11. Strong's Number: H2571
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָמֻשׁ
    Transliteration: châmush
    Pronunciation: khaw-moosh'
    Description: passive participle of the same as חֹמֶשׁ; staunch, i.e. able-bodied soldiers; armed (men), harnessed.