Judges 6:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

“Surely I will be with you,” the LORD replied, “and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:16 is a pivotal divine assurance given to Gideon, a humble and doubtful man called by God to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. In this verse, the LORD emphatically promises His unwavering presence and guarantees a complete and decisive victory over the Midianites, asserting that Gideon will defeat them as easily as if confronting a single foe. This declaration serves to dispel Gideon's deep-seated fears and sense of inadequacy, shifting the focus from his human limitations to God's boundless power and faithfulness as the true source of triumph.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 6:16 is situated immediately after Gideon's profound expression of inadequacy and doubt in [Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humility and Doubt"), where he questions his suitability to lead Israel, being the "least in his father's house." The narrative opens with Israel's seven-year oppression by the Midianites, Amalekites, and other "children of the east," who ravaged the land, leaving it desolate and impoverished ([Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1-6 - Israel's Oppression by Midian")). The Angel of the LORD (often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) appears to Gideon, who is found threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the invaders – a vivid illustration of the nation's desperate state. Gideon's initial response to the divine call is a mixture of awe and deep skepticism, questioning God's presence and his own ability to lead such a monumental task. This verse serves as God's direct, emphatic response to Gideon's plea for assurance, setting the stage for the miraculous events that follow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges chronicles a tumultuous period in Israel's history, characterized by a cyclical pattern of disobedience, divine judgment through foreign oppression, a cry for help, and God raising up a deliverer. The Midianites, along with their allies, were formidable nomadic raiders from the Arabian Desert, renowned for their use of camels, which allowed them to conduct swift, devastating incursions into Israelite territory, plundering crops and livestock ([Judges 6:3-5](/judges/6-3 "Judges 6:3-5 - Midianite Raids")). This economic devastation left Israel impoverished and demoralized. Gideon's act of threshing wheat in a winepress was highly unusual, as threshing was typically done in an open, windy area to separate grain from chaff. His clandestine activity underscores the extreme fear and desperation pervading Israelite society under Midianite tyranny, highlighting the extent of their oppression and the urgent need for divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 6:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Call and Human Inadequacy**, where God frequently chooses unlikely or seemingly unqualified individuals to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that His power is perfected in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power in Weakness")). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Unwavering Presence and Assurance**, a foundational promise reiterated throughout Scripture, assuring believers that they are never alone in their struggles ([Joshua 1:9](/joshua/1-9 "Joshua 1:9 - God's Command and Promise to Joshua")). Finally, it establishes the theme of **Victory Through Divine Empowerment**, making it clear that the impending triumph over the Midianites will not be a result of human might or military strategy, but solely through the LORD's intervention and strength, setting the stage for the miraculous events that follow in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory with 300 Men").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Surely (Hebrew, כִּי _ki_):** This particle, often translated "surely," "for," or "indeed," functions here as an emphatic affirmation, conveying absolute certainty and divine resolve. It underscores the unwavering nature of God's promise, serving to dispel Gideon's deep-seated doubts and instill confidence in the divine assurance that follows. It's not a mere possibility but a guaranteed reality, emphasizing the divine initiative and commitment.
* **Be with thee (Hebrew, אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ _'ehyeh 'immakh_):** This phrase is profoundly significant, echoing the divine name "I AM" (Exodus 3:14) and signifying God's active, personal, and empowering presence. It's a promise of intimate fellowship, protection, and enablement. God's presence is the ultimate guarantee of success, transforming Gideon's weakness into divine strength and ensuring that the task is not his alone but a partnership with the Almighty. This specific phrasing highlights a deep, covenantal relationship.
* **As one man (Hebrew, כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד _k'ish 'echad_):** This idiomatic expression denotes a complete, unified, and decisive defeat. It implies such an overwhelming victory that the Midianites would be routed as easily as if Gideon were confronting a single individual, or that Gideon, empowered by God, would possess the might of an entire army. It emphasizes the totality of the destruction and the ease with which God would grant the victory, irrespective of the Midianites' vast numbers, ensuring no one could claim human strength as the cause.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto him":** This opening clause emphasizes the direct, personal, and authoritative nature of the divine communication. Following Gideon's expressions of doubt and inadequacy, this is God's direct response, cutting through Gideon's human limitations with divine truth and power. It highlights that the initiative and assurance come solely from God, establishing the divine source of the subsequent promise.
* **"Surely I will be with thee":** This is the core promise, a powerful declaration of God's unwavering presence. It directly addresses Gideon's fear and sense of isolation, assuring him that he will not undertake this daunting task alone. This divine companionship is the ultimate source of strength and courage, transforming an ordinary man into an instrument of God's extraordinary power, and serving as the foundational guarantee for the success of the mission.
* **"and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man":** This clause reveals the outcome and the means of victory. The phrase "thou shalt smite" indicates Gideon's active, though divinely empowered, role. The powerful idiom "as one man" signifies a total, decisive, and overwhelming defeat of the Midianites, implying that their vast numbers would be rendered ineffective, as if Gideon were facing a single, easily vanquished foe, or that Gideon, through divine empowerment, would accomplish what an army could not. It promises a victory so complete that it would appear to be the work of a single, unified force.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 6:16 employs several significant **Literary Devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Direct Discourse**, as the LORD speaks directly to Gideon, lending immediate authority and intimacy to the divine promise. This direct address serves to cut through Gideon's internal monologue of doubt and provide a clear, unambiguous assurance. The phrase "Surely I will be with thee" functions as a profound **Divine Assurance** or **Divine Promise**, a recurring motif throughout biblical narratives where God pledges His presence and support to His chosen servants, establishing a covenantal bond. Furthermore, the expression "as one man" utilizes **Hyperbole** and **Metaphor**. It is not meant to be taken literally, as Gideon would not physically fight the entire Midianite army alone. Instead, it hyperbolically emphasizes the totality and ease of the Midianites' defeat, conveying that their vast numbers would be utterly irrelevant in the face of God's power. It metaphorically suggests that Gideon, empowered by God, would be as effective as an entire army, or that the enemy would be so thoroughly routed as to appear like a single, easily overcome entity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates a profound theological truth: God's empowering presence is the ultimate determinant of success, not human strength or resources. It teaches that God often chooses the weak and the overlooked to accomplish His mighty purposes, thereby ensuring that the glory redounds to Him alone. The promise "I will be with thee" is a foundational covenantal assurance, echoing throughout Scripture as a source of comfort, courage, and divine enablement for those called to difficult tasks. It underscores God's faithfulness to His people, even when they are faithless, and His commitment to deliver them from oppression through unexpected means. The complete victory promised "as one man" highlights God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and His ability to achieve overwhelming triumph through seemingly inadequate instruments, revealing His strategic use of the humble to confound the proud.

* [Joshua 1:9](/joshua/1-9 "Joshua 1:9 - Be Strong and Courageous, for the Lord Your God Is With You")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace Is Sufficient, His Power Made Perfect in Weakness")
* [Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Great Commission and Promise of Presence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 6:16 offers profound encouragement and a powerful model for believers facing daunting challenges in their own lives. In moments of inadequacy, fear, or overwhelming odds, this verse reminds us that our true strength and capacity come not from our own abilities or resources, but from the unfailing, empowering presence of God. Just as Gideon was called to a task far beyond his natural capabilities, we too are often called to step out in faith into situations that expose our limitations. This verse assures us that God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Our weakness becomes the very canvas upon which God's extraordinary power can be displayed, transforming what seems impossible into a testimony of His faithfulness. Trusting in His promise to "be with thee" enables us to confront our "Midianites" – whether they are personal struggles, spiritual battles, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles – with divine confidence, knowing that with Him, complete victory is assured. It calls us to surrender our self-reliance and embrace a posture of humble dependence, allowing God's strength to flow through our yielded lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Midianites" (challenges, fears, or feelings of inadequacy) are you facing today that seem too overwhelming to overcome?**
* **How does the promise "Surely I will be with thee" directly address your current doubts or anxieties?**
* **In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than trusting in God's empowering presence?**
* **What small step of faith can you take this week, confident in God's promise to be with you?**

### FAQ
**Why did God choose Gideon, who seemed so weak and doubtful?**

Answer: God often chooses individuals who perceive themselves as weak, insignificant, or doubtful precisely to demonstrate that His power and the resulting victory come solely from Him, not from human strength or wisdom. Gideon's humility and initial reluctance ([Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humility")) highlight God's sovereignty and His ability to work through anyone He chooses, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him. This theme is consistent throughout Scripture, where God uses the "foolish things of the world to shame the wise" and the "weak things of the world to shame the strong" ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak")). His choice of Gideon underscores that divine power is made perfect in human weakness.

**What does "smite the Midianites as one man" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase is an idiom signifying a complete, decisive, and overwhelming defeat. It does not mean Gideon would literally fight the entire Midianite army alone. Rather, it conveys that the Midianites would be so utterly routed that it would be as if they were a single, easily vanquished foe. Alternatively, it can mean that Gideon, empowered by God, would possess the strength and effectiveness of an entire army, making their vast numbers irrelevant. It emphasizes the totality of the victory and the divine power behind it, which is later dramatically illustrated when Gideon's small force of 300 men causes the Midianites to turn on each other ([Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "Judges 7:22 - Midianites Turn on Each Other")), demonstrating that the victory was solely God's.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 6:16, with its profound promise of divine presence and assured victory, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "I will be with thee" that God speaks to Gideon echoes the very nature of Christ as **Immanuel**, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Jesus, Immanuel")). In Jesus, God's presence is not merely a promise but a living, incarnate reality, dwelling among humanity, providing the ultimate assurance of divine companionship. Furthermore, the victory over the Midianites "as one man" foreshadows Christ's singular, decisive triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus, as the ultimate "one man," secured a complete and eternal victory for all who believe, disarming principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")) and delivering us from the one who has the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). Just as Gideon was empowered for a physical battle, Christ empowers His followers through the Holy Spirit to overcome spiritual adversaries and to fulfill His Great Commission, promising, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise to Be With His Disciples")). Thus, Judges 6:16 points forward to the perfect partnership between God and humanity realized in Christ, and the assured victory granted through Him for all who walk in faith.

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

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

¶ 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.