Judges 6:14

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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?

Complete Jewish Bible

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?"

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:14 marks the divine commissioning of Gideon, where the LORD directly confronts his self-doubt and calls him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. Despite Gideon's perceived weakness and lament, God affirms His empowering presence and sovereign authority, declaring that the strength for the task comes not from Gideon's inherent ability but from God's explicit sending, thus initiating a pivotal moment in Israel's history of judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 6:14 is a direct response to Gideon's lament and questioning in [Judges 6:13](/judges/6-13 "Judges 6:13 - Gideon Questions God's Presence") where he asks why, if the LORD is with them, Israel is suffering under Midianite oppression and where are God's miracles. The preceding verses establish the dire situation of Israel, oppressed for seven years by the Midianites, forcing them into caves and dens ([Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1-6 - Israel's Oppression by Midian")). The narrative then introduces Gideon, threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the invaders, a detail highlighting his fear and the severity of the oppression ([Judges 6:11](/judges/6-11 "Judges 6:11 - Gideon Threshing Wheat")). The appearance of the [Angel of the LORD](/judges/6-12 "Judges 6:12 - The Angel of the LORD Appears to Gideon") who hails Gideon as a "mighty man of valor" ([Judges 6:12](/judges/6-12 "Judges 6:12 - Gideon Called 'Mighty Man of Valor'")) sets up the profound irony that God sees strength where Gideon sees only weakness. This verse, [Judges 6:14](/judges/6-14 "Judges 6:14 - God Commissions Gideon"), is God's direct, personal, and empowering commission, cutting through Gideon's doubts and initiating his call to leadership.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BC) was a turbulent era for Israel, characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The Midianites, nomadic desert tribes, were particularly oppressive, raiding Israel's harvests and livestock, leaving the land desolate ([Judges 6:3-6](/judges/6-3 "Judges 6:3-6 - Midianite Raids")). This constant threat forced Israelites to abandon their open settlements and seek refuge in fortified places or natural hiding spots like caves, as seen with Gideon threshing wheat in a winepress, an unusual and vulnerable location for such an activity. The cultural expectation for a deliverer would typically be a strong, established leader, perhaps from a prominent tribe. Gideon, however, comes from the weakest clan within Manasseh ([Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humility")), making God's choice of him even more counter-cultural and demonstrative of divine power working through human weakness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several overarching themes in the book of Judges and beyond. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Commissioning**, where God takes the initiative to call and send an individual for His purposes, regardless of their perceived inadequacy ([Exodus 3:10](/exodus/3-10 "Exodus 3:10 - Moses' Call") for Moses; [Jeremiah 1:6-7](/jeremiah/1-6 "Jeremiah 1:6-7 - Jeremiah's Call")). It highlights the theme of **God's Empowering Presence**, emphasizing that the "might" for the task is not inherent human strength but a divine enablement that accompanies God's sending. This directly challenges Gideon's **Insecurity and Self-Doubt**, showcasing God's ability to use the weak and fearful to accomplish mighty deeds ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak")). Ultimately, the verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to **Deliverance and Salvation** for His covenant people, even when they have strayed, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises despite Israel's repeated failures throughout the period described in [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** The use of the covenant name of God, YHWH, is significant. It emphasizes God's personal, relational, and active involvement in the history of His people. Unlike the general term "God" (Elohim), Yahweh signifies the faithful, covenant-keeping God who is intimately concerned with Israel's plight and is now directly intervening to fulfill His promises. It underscores the authority and reliability of the one who is speaking to Gideon.
* **Might (Hebrew, _koach'_):** This word denotes strength, power, ability, or vigor. In this context, it is not a recognition of Gideon's pre-existing military prowess or personal courage (which he clearly lacked), but rather the divine power and authority that God is bestowing upon him *for* the specific task of deliverance. It is an imparted, enabling strength, making the command "Go in this thy might" an assurance of divine empowerment rather than a challenge to Gideon's human capabilities.
* **Sent (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** This verb means to send, stretch out, or dispatch. The rhetorical question "have not I sent thee?" serves as the ultimate validation of Gideon's mission. It signifies divine authorization and initiation. God is the one who commissions, and His sending guarantees the necessary resources, authority, and ultimate success, shifting the burden of responsibility from Gideon's inadequacy to God's sovereign will and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD looked upon him,"**: This phrase conveys more than a casual glance; it signifies a purposeful, direct, and intense divine gaze. It implies God's full attention, discernment, and intentional engagement with Gideon. It is the moment of divine recognition and selection, preceding the direct command and emphasizing the personal nature of God's interaction with this seemingly insignificant individual.
* **"and said, Go in this thy might,"**: This is God's direct command and empowering declaration. The "might" is not Gideon's inherent strength but the power that God is either seeing within him (potential, divinely placed) or, more likely, actively imparting to him for the specific task. It is a divine enablement, a mandate accompanied by the necessary spiritual and practical resources, urging Gideon to act on the basis of this divinely given capacity.
* **"and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:"**: This clause states the explicit purpose and guaranteed outcome of Gideon's mission. It is a prophetic declaration of success, not a conditional possibility. God is assuring Gideon that he will indeed be the instrument through whom Israel's deliverance will be accomplished, directly addressing Gideon's earlier lament about Israel's suffering and God's apparent absence.
* **"have not I sent thee?"**: This rhetorical question serves as a powerful affirmation of divine authority and a foundational guarantee. It is not a query seeking information but a forceful declaration that God's sending is the ultimate basis for Gideon's confidence and the mission's success. It underscores that the initiative, authority, and power for the deliverance reside entirely with God, making Gideon merely His chosen agent.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 6:14 is rich in literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The most prominent is **Irony**, particularly situational irony. Gideon, a man hiding in fear and lamenting Israel's weakness, is addressed by God as if he possesses the very strength he lacks. God's command to "Go in this thy might" is ironic given Gideon's self-perception and circumstances, highlighting the divine paradox of God choosing the weak to shame the strong. The phrase "have not I sent thee?" functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer but to assert an undeniable truth – God's sovereign authority and the certainty of His commission. This question also serves as a form of **Divine Commissioning**, a direct and authoritative mandate from God to an individual for a specific task. Furthermore, the entire interaction can be seen as a form of **Divine Empowerment**, where God's words themselves are the source of strength and authority for Gideon, transforming his inadequacy into an instrument for God's purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 6:14 is a profound articulation of God's sovereign initiative in human affairs, particularly in the context of salvation and deliverance. It underscores the biblical truth that God often chooses the seemingly weak, the fearful, and the inadequate to accomplish His mighty purposes, thereby ensuring that the glory redounds to Him alone. This verse highlights that divine calling is always accompanied by divine enablement; God never calls without equipping, and His "sending" is the ultimate guarantee of success, regardless of human limitations. It speaks to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, intervening to save them even when their suffering is a direct consequence of their own disobedience, demonstrating His mercy and steadfast love.

* [Exodus 3:11-12](/exodus/3-11 "Exodus 3:11-12 - Moses' Inadequacy and God's Promise")
* [Jeremiah 1:6-9](/jeremiah/1-6 "Jeremiah 1:6-9 - Jeremiah's Call and God's Word")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Strength in Weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 6:14 offers profound encouragement and a powerful challenge for believers today. In a world that often values self-sufficiency, visible strength, and impressive credentials, this verse reminds us that God's economy operates differently. Like Gideon, we frequently find ourselves facing situations that feel overwhelming, tasks that seem beyond our capabilities, or a sense of inadequacy that paralyzes us. Yet, God's gaze is not on our perceived weaknesses but on His own limitless power and His unwavering commitment to His purposes. When God calls us to a task, whether it's a grand mission or a quiet act of service, He simultaneously provides the "might" – the spiritual gifting, the wisdom, the courage, and the resources – necessary to accomplish it. Our role is not to generate the strength, but to trust in His sending and step forward in faith, knowing that His presence is our ultimate empowerment. This verse invites us to embrace our limitations, for it is often in our weakness that God's strength is most perfectly displayed, enabling us to be instruments of His deliverance in our families, communities, and the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Midianite oppression" (challenges, fears, insecurities) are you currently facing that make you feel inadequate or unable to fulfill God's call?**
* **How does God's declaration, "Go in this thy might," redefine your understanding of your own capabilities in light of His presence?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply that God has "sent" you, and therefore, He will provide the necessary empowerment?**
* **What specific action, however small, might God be calling you to take, relying not on your strength but on His imparted "might"?**

### FAQ
**What does "Go in this thy might" truly mean, given Gideon's apparent weakness?**

Answer: "Go in this thy might" does not refer to Gideon's inherent, pre-existing strength or military prowess. Instead, it is a declaration of divine empowerment. The Hebrew word for "might" (_koach_) signifies power or ability, and here it is the power that God Himself is either seeing within Gideon (his divinely appointed potential) or, more accurately, actively imparting to him for the specific task of delivering Israel. It means, "Go with the strength that I am now giving you," or "Go, for I am your might." It's a promise of divine enablement, assuring Gideon that the necessary power will be present because God is the one sending him. This highlights a recurring biblical theme where God chooses the weak and equips them for His purposes, demonstrating that success comes from His power, not human ability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 6:14, with its emphasis on divine commissioning and empowering presence, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Gideon, called from obscurity and empowered by God to deliver Israel from physical oppression, foreshadows Christ, the ultimate deliverer who saves humanity from the spiritual oppression of sin and death. Just as God declared to Gideon, "Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel," so too Jesus was sent by the Father, fully endowed with divine authority and power, to accomplish the greatest salvation ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Sent to Save")). Furthermore, Jesus' Great Commission to His disciples echoes the divine sending of Gideon: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). Crucially, this command is immediately followed by the promise of His empowering presence: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise of Presence")). The "might" given to Gideon finds its New Testament parallel in the power of the Holy Spirit, which indwells believers and empowers them for witness and service ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, Gideon's story is a testament to God's method of working through human weakness, a principle supremely demonstrated in Christ's humble incarnation and His empowering of those He sends, ensuring that "my power is made perfect in weakness" ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.