Judges 6:33

¶ Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.

Then all the Midianites {H4080} and the Amalekites {H6002} and the children {H1121} of the east {H6924} were gathered {H622} together {H3162}, and went over {H5674}, and pitched {H2583} in the valley {H6010} of Jezreel {H3157}.

Now all Midyan, 'Amalek and the others from the east joined forces, crossed the Yarden, and set up camp in the Yizre'el Valley.

Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.

Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east assembled themselves together; and they passed over, and encamped in the valley of Jezreel.

Commentary

Judges 6:33 marks a critical moment in the narrative of Gideon, illustrating the immense threat Israel faced from their oppressors. This verse sets the stage for one of the most dramatic confrontations in the Old Testament, where God's power is revealed through unlikely means.

Context

Before this verse, the Israelites had been suffering under the severe oppression of the Midianites for seven years, a direct consequence of their disobedience to God (Judges 6:1). The land was plundered, and the people were impoverished. In response to their cries, the Lord called Gideon, a humble farmer from the tribe of Manasseh, to deliver His people (Judges 6:12-16). This verse describes the formidable enemy forces gathering, preparing for what they believed would be a decisive blow against Israel, unaware of God's impending intervention.

Key Players and Geography

  • The Midianites and the Amalekites: These were traditional nomadic enemies of Israel, often raiding their agricultural produce and livestock. Their presence signified a devastating economic and existential threat.
  • The Children of the East: This phrase (Hebrew: bene qedem) refers to various nomadic tribes from the desert regions east of the Jordan River, often associated with the Midianites and Amalekites. Their inclusion emphasizes the vast, composite, and overwhelming nature of the opposing force.
  • The Valley of Jezreel: Also known as the plain of Esdraelon, this fertile and expansive valley was a strategic and common battleground in ancient Israel. Its open terrain was ideal for large armies to gather and maneuver, making it a logical place for the invaders to consolidate their forces. This location underscores the direct confrontation that was about to occur in the heartland of Israel.

Significance

The gathering of "all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east" in the valley of Jezreel highlights the immense odds stacked against Gideon and the Israelites. This massing of forces was intended to intimidate and utterly crush any resistance, making God's subsequent deliverance all the more miraculous and undeniable. It underscores a key biblical theme: that God's victories are not achieved by human strength or numbers, but by His divine power. This formidable display of enemy power serves to magnify the Lord's glory in the victory that follows, reminding us that it is not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit.

Practical Application

Judges 6:33 offers timeless insights for believers today. Just as the Israelites faced an overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable enemy, we too can face "giants" in our lives—be they spiritual battles, personal challenges, or societal pressures. This verse encourages us to remember that even when the opposition appears vast and intimidating, God is sovereign and capable of delivering His people. It calls us to place our trust not in our own abilities or resources, but in the omnipotent power of God, who often chooses the weak and the few to accomplish His mighty purposes, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27. The stage is set for God to demonstrate His faithfulness and strength through Gideon's unlikely army.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 17:16 (6 votes)

    And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, [both they] who [are] of Bethshean and her towns, and [they] who [are] of the valley of Jezreel.

  • Judges 6:3 (5 votes)

    And [so] it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;

  • Romans 8:35 (2 votes)

    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

  • Romans 8:39 (2 votes)

    Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Psalms 27:2 (2 votes)

    When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

  • Psalms 27:3 (2 votes)

    Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident.

  • Psalms 3:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me.