Judges 6:16

And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite {H5221} the Midianites {H4080} as one {H259} man {H376}.

ADONAI said to him, "Because I will be with you, you will strike down Midyan as easily as if they were just one man."

โ€œSurely I will be with you,โ€ the LORD replied, โ€œand you will strike down all the Midianites as one man.โ€

And Jehovah said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

Commentary

Context of Judges 6:16

Judges 6:16 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Gideon, a humble man called by God to deliver Israel from the oppressive hand of the Midianites. For seven years, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other "children of the east" had ravaged the land, destroying crops and livestock, leaving Israel impoverished and fearful. When the Angel of the LORD first appeared to Gideon, he was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the invaders, a sign of the nation's desperate state. Gideon expressed profound doubt and a sense of inadequacy, questioning God's presence and his own ability to lead such a task, as seen in Judges 6:15.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Assurance of Presence: The core message of this verse is God's unwavering commitment to be with His chosen servant. The phrase "Surely I will be with thee" is a direct and powerful promise from the LORD, designed to dispel Gideon's fear and doubt. This assurance is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, signifying God's active involvement in the lives of His people and their endeavors, echoing promises like Joshua 1:9 and Matthew 28:20.
  • God as the Source of Victory: It is not Gideon's strength or military prowess that will secure the victory, but the LORD Himself. The promise, "thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man," highlights a complete and decisive defeat, not through human might but through divine empowerment. This foreshadows the miraculous victory with just 300 men against an innumerable host, as recorded in Judges 7:22.
  • Overcoming Inadequacy: Gideon felt he was the "least in his father's house" (Judges 6:15), yet God chose him. This verse underscores that God often uses the weak and overlooked to accomplish His mighty purposes, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "Surely I will be with thee" emphasizes certainty and divine initiative. The word "surely" (ื›ึผึดื™, ki) here functions as an emphatic particle, reinforcing the absolute certainty of God's promise. The phrase "as one man" (ื›ึผึฐืึดื™ืฉื ืึถื—ึธื“, k'ish echad) signifies a total and unified defeat, implying that the Midianites would be so utterly routed that it would seem as if they were a single, easily vanquished foe, or that Gideon alone, empowered by God, could accomplish the task of an entire army.

Practical Application

Judges 6:16 offers profound encouragement for believers today. When facing daunting challenges, feeling inadequate, or experiencing fear, this verse reminds us that our strength does not come from ourselves but from the unfailing presence of God. Just as the LORD assured Gideon, He promises to be with us, enabling us to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. This divine partnership transforms our weaknesses into opportunities for God's power to be displayed. We are called to step out in faith, trusting in His presence and power, knowing that with Him, we can achieve what we cannot do alone.

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

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Exodus 3:12

    And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this [shall be] a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

  • Acts 11:21

    And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

  • Mark 16:20

    And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

  • Isaiah 41:10

    ยถ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • Isaiah 41:14

    Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

  • Isaiah 41:16

    Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, [and] shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.