Judges 6:5

KJV

For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; [for] both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

KJV (with Strong's)

For they came up {H5927} with their cattle {H4735} and their tents {H168}, and they came {H935}{H935} as {H1767} grasshoppers {H697} for multitude {H7230}; for both they and their camels {H1581} were without number {H4557}: and they entered {H935} into the land {H776} to destroy {H7843} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

For they came up with their cattle and tents, and they came in as thick as locusts; both they and their camels were beyond numbering, and they came into the land to destroy it.

Berean Standard Bible

For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it.

American Standard Version

For they came up with their cattle and their tents; they came in as locusts for multitude; both they and their camels were without number: and they came into the land to destroy it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:5 vividly portrays the overwhelming and destructive invasion faced by Israel at the hands of the Midianites and their allies. This verse paints a dire picture of an innumerable horde, likened to a plague of locusts, arriving with their entire nomadic encampment of cattle and tents, not merely to raid but with the explicit intent to systematically devastate the land and its resources. It underscores the profound depth of Israel's distress and vulnerability, setting the stage for divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 6:5 is situated within the cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges, which consistently depicts Israel's descent into idolatry, followed by divine judgment in the form of foreign oppression, leading to the people's cry for deliverance, and finally, God raising up a judge. The preceding verses [Judges 6:1-4](/judges/6-1-4 "Judges 6:1-4 - Midianite Oppression Begins") establish the seven-year period of Midianite oppression as a direct consequence of Israel's turning away from the Lord. This specific verse intensifies the description of the invaders, detailing their sheer numbers and destructive purpose, thereby emphasizing the desperate situation from which God would eventually deliver His people through Gideon, whose call begins later in [Judges 6:11](/judges/6-11 "Judges 6:11 - Gideon's Call"). The overwhelming nature of this invasion serves to highlight Israel's utter helplessness apart from divine intervention, a recurring motif throughout the book that prepares the reader for God's miraculous deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Midianites, Amalekites, and "children of the east" [Judges 6:3](/judges/6-3 "Judges 6:3 - The Invading Alliance") were nomadic desert tribes. Their mode of warfare involved annual incursions during harvest season, bringing their entire encampments—"their cattle and their tents"—into the fertile agricultural lands of Israel. This was not merely a quick raid for plunder but a prolonged, systematic occupation and destruction of the land's produce and livestock. The mention of "camels" is significant, as these animals provided a distinct military advantage, allowing rapid movement across vast distances and the capacity to carry immense loads, making them formidable instruments of economic devastation against an agrarian society. Their strategy was to leave "no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor donkey" [Judges 6:4](/judges/6-4 "Judges 6:4 - Midianite Devastation"), forcing the Israelites into hiding in "dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strongholds" [Judges 6:2](/judges/6-2 "Judges 6:2 - Israel's Hiding Places").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **overwhelming nature of divine judgment** as a consequence of covenant disobedience, demonstrating how God can use seemingly insurmountable external forces to bring His people to repentance, as forewarned in [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience") and subsequent verses. Secondly, it underscores Israel's **utter helplessness and desperation**, emphasizing that their deliverance could only come from God, as human efforts were clearly insufficient against such a vast and destructive foe. The invaders' intent "to destroy it" points to the theme of **economic devastation and famine**, illustrating the severe material consequences of spiritual apostasy and the systematic dismantling of Israel's ability to sustain itself, driving them to extreme poverty and dependence. This dire situation sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness, even when His people are at their lowest point.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **grasshoppers (Hebrew, _'arbeh'_):** This term literally refers to a "locust" or "swarm of locusts" (H697). The choice of this word is incredibly potent, as locusts were a well-known ancient plague, capable of stripping a land bare of all vegetation in a short period. By comparing the Midianite invaders to locusts, the text conveys not only their immense, uncountable numbers but also their insatiable, consuming, and utterly destructive nature. It evokes a sense of unstoppable natural disaster, highlighting the complete devastation they wrought upon the land of Israel.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** This primitive root (H7843) means "to decay, i.e., ruin (literally or figuratively); batter, corrupt, destroy, lose, mar, perish, spill, spoil, waste." The use of this strong verb reveals the Midianites' explicit and comprehensive intent. Their purpose was not merely to raid for sustenance or plunder, but to systematically lay waste to the land, its crops, and its capacity to sustain life. This highlights the severity of the oppression and the dire economic and existential threat faced by the Israelites, driving them to the brink of starvation and despair.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they came up with their cattle and their tents":** This clause describes the comprehensive and persistent nature of the Midianite invasion. It indicates that these were not mere raiding parties but entire nomadic clans, bringing their livestock (H4735, _miqneh_) and their temporary dwellings (H168, _ʼôhel_). This signifies a prolonged, systematic occupation rather than a quick hit-and-run, implying their intent to settle in the fertile lands during harvest season, consuming and destroying the produce of the Israelites as they went.
* **"and they came as grasshoppers for multitude":** This vivid simile powerfully illustrates the sheer numerical superiority of the invading forces. The comparison to "grasshoppers" (locusts, H697, _'arbeh_) emphasizes their vast, uncountable numbers, their swarming movement, and the devastating, all-consuming effect they had on the land, akin to a natural plague that leaves nothing behind.
* **"for both they and their camels were without number":** This phrase further reinforces the previous simile, explicitly stating the immensity of the invading army and their crucial mode of transport. The inclusion of "camels" (H1581, _gâmâl_) is significant, as these animals allowed the Midianites to traverse vast desert distances, carry immense loads of plunder, and provided a tactical advantage in raiding. Their "countless" number (H4557, _miçpâr_ for "number") emphasizes the overwhelming scale of the invasion, making any direct military confrontation by Israel seem impossible and instilling profound fear.
* **"and they entered into the land to destroy it":** This final clause explicitly states the destructive intent of the invaders. Their purpose was not merely to raid for sustenance or plunder, but to systematically lay waste to the land (H776, _ʼerets_), its crops, and its capacity to sustain life (H7843, _shâchath_). This highlights the severity of the oppression and the dire economic and existential threat faced by the Israelites, driving them to the brink of starvation and despair.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 6:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the magnitude of Israel's oppression. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in the phrase "they came as grasshoppers for multitude." This comparison to locusts vividly paints a picture of an overwhelming, consuming, and unstoppable force, evoking the imagery of a natural disaster that strips the land bare. Coupled with this is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the phrase "without number," which exaggerates the actual count to emphasize the truly countless nature of the invaders and their camels, thereby stressing the seemingly insurmountable odds faced by Israel. The verse also utilizes potent **Imagery**, creating a mental picture of a vast, moving horde, complete with their tents and livestock, descending upon the land with destructive intent. This combination of devices effectively communicates the utter desperation of Israel's situation and the immense scale of the threat, underscoring the profound need for divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 6:5 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of covenant disobedience and the nature of divine judgment. The overwhelming oppression described is not merely a random historical event but a direct result of Israel's persistent idolatry and turning away from the Lord, fulfilling the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant. This verse illustrates God's sovereignty, even in allowing such devastating circumstances, using foreign nations as instruments of His righteous discipline to humble His people and draw them back to Himself. It underscores the principle that when a people forsakes their covenant with God, they become vulnerable to the very forces they once overcame, highlighting their utter dependence on divine intervention when human resources and strength are exhausted. The imagery of an innumerable, destructive foe also points to the broader biblical theme of humanity's helplessness against overwhelming spiritual forces without God's redemptive power.

* [Deuteronomy 28:38-40](/deuteronomy/28-38-40 "Deuteronomy 28:38-40 - Curses on Crops and Foreign Consumption")
* [Leviticus 26:14-17](/leviticus/26-14-17 "Leviticus 26:14-17 - Consequences of Breaking God's Covenant")
* [Joel 1:4-7](/joel/1-4-7 "Joel 1:4-7 - Locust Plague as Divine Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 6:5, while detailing a historical event, resonates deeply with the human experience of feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Just as the Midianites came "as grasshoppers for multitude" and "without number," we often face situations in life—be they financial crises, health struggles, relational breakdowns, or spiritual attacks—that feel insurmountable, vast, and utterly destructive to our peace and well-being. This verse reminds us that sometimes, our "overwhelm" is a consequence of straying from God's path, a form of divine discipline designed to bring us to a place of desperate dependence on Him. However, it also offers profound hope: when human strength is exhausted and all appears lost, it is precisely then that God is poised to demonstrate His power. Our response should be to humble ourselves, acknowledge our helplessness, and cry out to the Lord, trusting that His power to deliver is infinitely greater than any "countless" foe or "destructive" circumstance we may face. It calls us to examine if our current struggles are a result of spiritual drift and to return to the Lord with full repentance and trust, knowing He is faithful to deliver.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when I feel overwhelmed by circumstances that seem "without number" or beyond my control?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing a sense of "devastation" or "consumption," and could this be a call to re-evaluate my spiritual alignment with God?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's discipline, and how does it encourage me to seek Him even in my darkest moments of helplessness?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow such severe oppression to happen to Israel?**

Answer: God allowed this severe oppression as a direct consequence of Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry. The Book of Judges consistently illustrates a cycle where Israel turns away from God to worship other deities, leading God to "sell them into the hand" of their enemies as a form of discipline [Judges 6:1](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1 - Israel's Disobedience and Oppression"). This was not arbitrary punishment but a means to humble His people, remind them of their covenant obligations, and ultimately draw them back to Himself in repentance and dependence. The severity of the oppression, as described in [Judges 6:5](/judges/6-5 "Judges 6:5 - The Overwhelming Midianite Invasion"), was intended to be so overwhelming that Israel would have no recourse but to cry out to the Lord for deliverance.

**What is the significance of the "grasshoppers" and "camels" in this verse?**

Answer: The "grasshoppers" (locusts) are a powerful simile emphasizing the sheer, uncountable multitude of the invading forces. Just as a locust plague completely devours crops and leaves nothing behind, the Midianites and their allies were an unstoppable, consuming force that stripped the land of Israel bare, leading to widespread famine and destitution. The "camels" are significant because they were the primary means of transport for these nomadic desert tribes. Their presence "without number" highlights not only the vastness of the invading army but also their unique military and logistical advantage. Camels allowed them to traverse arid regions, carry immense amounts of plunder, and conduct prolonged, systematic raids on agricultural communities, making them uniquely effective instruments of economic devastation against Israel, as described in [Judges 6:4](/judges/6-4 "Judges 6:4 - Midianite Devastation of Resources").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The overwhelming oppression described in Judges 6:5, with its imagery of an innumerable, destructive foe laying waste to the land, powerfully foreshadows humanity's spiritual bondage to sin and death. Just as Israel faced an enemy "without number" that they could not overcome by their own strength, so too is humanity helpless against the pervasive power of sin and the ultimate enemy, death. This spiritual "devastation" leaves humanity impoverished and without hope, much like Israel hiding in caves. However, just as God raised up Gideon as a deliverer for His people from the Midianites, He ultimately sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the true and ultimate Deliverer from the overwhelming power of sin and death. Jesus, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, disarmed the spiritual forces of evil and triumphed over them [Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"), freeing those who were held in slavery by their fear of death [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from the Fear of Death"). He offers true rest and freedom from the spiritual burdens that feel "without number," inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). Thus, the desperate need for a deliverer from an overwhelming foe in [Judges 6:5](/judges/6-5 "Judges 6:5 - The Overwhelming Midianite Invasion") finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who sets us truly free [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - Freedom in Christ").

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

Judges 7:12

And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels [were] without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

Judges 8:10

Now Zebah and Zalmunna [were] in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand [men], all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

Jeremiah 49:29

Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear [is] on every side.

Isaiah 60:6

The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.

Jeremiah 49:32

And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them [that are] in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 46:23

They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and [are] innumerable.

Isaiah 13:20

It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.