Judges 6:14

And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

And the LORD {H3068} looked {H6437} upon him, and said {H559}, Go {H3212} in this thy might {H3581}, and thou shalt save {H3467} Israel {H3478} from the hand {H3709} of the Midianites {H4080}: have not I sent {H7971} thee?

ADONAI turned to him and said, "Go in this strength of yours and save Isra'el from the hands of Midyan. Haven't I sent you?"

The LORD turned to him and said, β€œGo in the strength you have and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Am I not sending you?”

And Jehovah looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian: have not I sent thee?

Commentary

Judges 6:14 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Gideon, where God directly commissions him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression, despite Gideon's deep-seated doubts and feelings of inadequacy.

Context

At this point, Israel had once again fallen into idolatry, leading to seven years of severe oppression by the Midianites (Judges 6:1). The people were so desperate they hid in caves and dens. Gideon, from the tribe of Manasseh, is introduced as a humble man threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the invaders. The Angel of the LORD appears to him, hailing him as a "mighty man of valor," a title that starkly contrasts with Gideon's self-perception. Gideon's immediate response is to question God's presence and power, lamenting Israel's plight. It is in response to this doubt that the LORD issues this direct command and assurance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission: The verse clearly shows God's direct initiative in calling and sending an individual for a specific mission. It's not Gideon's idea, but God's sovereign plan for Israel's deliverance.
  • God's Empowering Presence: The command "Go in this thy might" is not a recognition of Gideon's existing military prowess, but an affirmation that the strength for the task comes from God's presence and sending. It's the might imparted by the divine encounter.
  • Overcoming Insecurity: God addresses Gideon's self-doubt by asserting His authority ("have not I sent thee?") and providing the necessary empowerment. This highlights a recurring biblical theme where God uses the weak to accomplish His purposes, as seen with Moses (Exodus 3:10) or Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6).
  • Deliverance and Salvation: The ultimate goal is the salvation of Israel from the Midianites, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they stray.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the LORD looked upon him" signifies intense, direct, and purposeful divine attention. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is Yahweh (Χ™Φ°Χ”Χ•ΦΈΧ”), emphasizing God's covenant name and His active involvement. The crucial phrase "Go in this thy might" uses the Hebrew word koach (Χ›ΦΌΦΉΧ—Φ·), which means strength, power, or ability. In context, this "might" is not Gideon's inherent strength but the power that God either sees in him, has already given him, or is now bestowing upon him for the specific task of delivering Israel. It's a divine enabling, not a human boast. The rhetorical question "have not I sent thee?" serves as a powerful affirmation of divine authority and guarantee of success, similar to Jesus' promise to be with His disciples (Matthew 28:20).

Practical Application

Judges 6:14 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Often, we feel inadequate or overwhelmed by the challenges before us, much like Gideon threshing wheat in fear. This verse reminds us that God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Our perceived weaknesses are not barriers for God, but often the very canvas upon which He displays His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). When God gives a command or calls us to a task, He also provides the necessary "might" and His unwavering presence. The key is to trust in His sending and His power, not our own. This divine commission empowers individuals to step out in faith, knowing God is with them.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:34

    Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

  • Joshua 1:5

    There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

  • Joshua 1:9

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • 1 Samuel 12:11

    And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

  • Judges 4:6

    And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, [saying], Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

  • 1 Chronicles 14:9

    And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

  • 1 Chronicles 14:10

    And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.