Judges 6:6

KJV

And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Israel {H3478} was greatly {H3966} impoverished {H1809} because {H6440} of the Midianites {H4080}; and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} cried {H2199} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Isra'el became very discouraged because of Midyan, and the people of Isra'el cried out to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Israel was greatly impoverished by Midian, and the Israelites cried out to the LORD.

American Standard Version

And Israel was brought very low because of Midian; and the children of Israel cried unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:6 marks a critical juncture in the cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges, portraying Israel's profound distress and turning point under Midianite oppression. After seven years of systematic devastation by their enemies, the Israelites are depicted as "greatly impoverished," a state of utter destitution that finally breaks their self-reliance and idolatrous tendencies. This severe hardship compels them to abandon their false gods and, out of sheer desperation, "cry unto the LORD," signaling a renewed, albeit often superficial, acknowledgment of their covenant God and setting the stage for divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 6:6 is situated within the well-established "cycle of Judges" that defines the book's structure. This cycle, introduced in [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Cycle of Judges"), involves Israel's apostasy (turning from God to idolatry), God's consequent discipline (allowing foreign oppression), Israel's cry for help, God's raising of a deliverer (a judge), and a period of peace, before the cycle inevitably repeats. Verse 6 specifically represents the "cry for help" stage, following the severe oppression detailed in [Judges 6:1-5](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1-5 - Midianite Oppression"), and immediately precedes the divine response through a prophet and the subsequent call of Gideon in [Judges 6:7-12](/judges/6-7 "Judges 6:7-12 - The Call of Gideon"). It highlights the depth of Israel's suffering as the catalyst for their turning back to Yahweh.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (approximately 1400-1050 BC) was characterized by a decentralized tribal society in Canaan, lacking a strong central government or unified military. This vulnerability made them susceptible to raids from nomadic groups like the Midianites, Amalekites, and "children of the East," as described in [Judges 6:3-5](/judges/6-3 "Judges 6:3-5 - Midianite Raids"). These groups were pastoralists who would sweep into the fertile valleys of Israel during harvest time, destroying crops, livestock, and any means of sustenance, effectively starving the Israelites into submission. The phrase "greatly impoverished" reflects not just economic hardship but a complete breakdown of their agricultural society, forcing them to hide in caves and strongholds ([Judges 6:2](/judges/6-2 "Judges 6:2 - Israel Hides in Caves"))—a stark contrast to the promised land of abundance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout the Book of Judges and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it illustrates the **consequences of disobedience** to God's covenant, where Israel's suffering is a direct result of their idolatry and turning away from Yahweh. Secondly, it highlights **divine discipline as a means of restoration**, showing that God uses hardship to draw His people back to Himself, even when their motives are initially rooted in desperation rather than genuine repentance. Thirdly, it emphasizes **God's unwavering faithfulness and readiness to hear**, demonstrating that despite Israel's repeated failures and their often-imperfect cries, God remains attentive and prepared to deliver His covenant people, foreshadowing His ultimate redemptive plan. This aligns with the repeated pattern of God's mercy seen in passages like [Psalm 107:6](/psalms/107-6 "Psalm 107:6 - Crying to the Lord in Trouble").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Impoverished (Hebrew, _dalal'_):** The verb דָּלַל (_dalal_) means "to be low, to be weak, to be poor, to be brought low." Its use here, intensified by the adverb "greatly" (מְאֹד, _me'od_), paints a vivid picture of Israel's extreme destitution. It signifies not merely a lack of resources but a complete draining of strength, vitality, and hope, leaving them utterly helpless and dependent. This state of being "brought low" is precisely what precipitates their cry to the Lord.
* **Cried (Hebrew, _tsa'aq'_):** The verb צָעַק (_tsa'aq_) is a strong, emphatic term meaning "to cry out, to call for help, to shriek." It denotes a desperate, urgent, and often anguished outcry, typically in response to oppression, distress, or injustice. This is not a polite request or a casual prayer, but an impassioned, almost primal scream for intervention, indicating the depth of Israel's suffering and their realization that only divine power could rescue them from their dire circumstances. It is a cry of last resort, demonstrating their utter helplessness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites":** This clause establishes the dire economic and social reality of Israel. The adverb "greatly" (מְאֹד, _me'od_) underscores the severity and comprehensiveness of their destitution, affecting all aspects of their lives. The direct cause is attributed to "the Midianites," who, along with their allies, systematically plundered and destroyed Israel's agricultural output, leaving them without food, livestock, or hope. This physical impoverishment serves as a tangible consequence of their spiritual impoverishment and idolatry.
* **"and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD":** This second clause marks the turning point in the narrative cycle. The "children of Israel" (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, _b'nei Yisra'el_), a covenantal designation, indicates that despite their apostasy, they are still God's people. Their "cry" (צָעַק, _tsa'aq_) is a desperate plea for help, born out of extreme suffering rather than necessarily deep repentance. Crucially, they cry "unto the LORD" (אֶל יְהוָה, _el Yahweh_), turning away from the false gods they had worshipped and acknowledging, even if only in crisis, the true God of their covenant. This act of crying out is the necessary precursor to God's intervention and deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The overarching **Cycle** of Judges is evident, as this verse represents the "cry" stage, demonstrating the predictable pattern of Israel's relationship with God. **Hyperbole** is present in the phrase "greatly impoverished," emphasizing the extreme and pervasive nature of their suffering, which goes beyond mere hardship to complete destitution. This exaggeration underscores the severity of God's discipline and the depth of their need. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between Israel's initial state of prosperity in the Promised Land and their current abject poverty, highlighting the devastating effects of their disobedience. The verse also serves as **Foreshadowing**, as Israel's desperate cry sets the immediate stage for the divine response, leading directly to the call of Gideon and the subsequent deliverance, thus building narrative anticipation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 6:6 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that God uses adversity to draw His people back to Himself. Israel's "great impoverishment" was not merely a random misfortune but a divinely permitted consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness, designed to break their self-sufficiency and idolatrous allegiances. Their desperate "cry unto the LORD" signifies a crucial moment of reorientation, acknowledging their ultimate dependence on the God they had abandoned. This pattern reveals God's persistent love and faithfulness, even when His people are wayward, demonstrating that His discipline is always redemptive in purpose, aiming to restore fellowship and obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 4:29-31](/deuteronomy/4-29 "Deuteronomy 4:29-31 - Seeking God in Distress")
* [Psalm 107:13](/psalms/107-13 "Psalm 107:13 - Crying to the Lord in Trouble")
* [Hosea 5:15](/hosea/5-15 "Hosea 5:15 - God's Discipline and Return")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 6:6 offers a sobering yet hopeful mirror for contemporary believers. It reminds us that just as Israel's suffering was a consequence of their spiritual straying, our own hardships can often be God's loving, albeit painful, means of drawing us closer to Him. When our own resources fail, when we feel "greatly impoverished" in spirit, finances, relationships, or health, it is precisely then that we are most likely to abandon our self-reliance and turn to the only true source of help. This verse challenges us to consider if our prayers are merely a last resort born of desperation, or if they flow from a consistent, devoted relationship with God. Regardless of the initial motive, God hears the cries of His people and is ready to respond with mercy and deliverance, inviting us to a deeper, more authentic dependence on Him in all circumstances, not just in crisis.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be experiencing a form of "impoverishment" that is prompting you to cry out to God?**
* **Do you tend to turn to God only in moments of extreme crisis, or is prayer a consistent practice in your daily life?**
* **How does understanding God's use of discipline in Judges 6:6 shape your perspective on personal suffering or challenging circumstances?**
* **What idols or self-reliant tendencies might you need to abandon in order to more fully "cry unto the LORD" with genuine dependence?**

### FAQ

**Why did God allow Israel to suffer so severely under the Midianites for seven years before responding to their cry?**

Answer: God's allowance of Israel's suffering was not arbitrary but served as a form of divine discipline, designed to bring His wayward people back to Himself. For seven years, the Midianites systematically destroyed Israel's livelihood, creating a state of "great impoverishment" that forced them to confront the futility of their idolatry and self-reliance. This prolonged hardship was necessary to break their stubbornness and lead them to a point of desperation where they would genuinely "cry unto the LORD." It highlights God's patience and His commitment to His covenant, using even painful circumstances to restore His people to a right relationship with Him, as seen in the broader cycle described in [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Cycle of Judges").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 6:6, with Israel's "great impoverishment" and desperate cry, powerfully foreshadows humanity's ultimate spiritual condition and the nature of Christ's redemptive work. Just as Israel was enslaved by external oppressors due to their internal sin, all humanity is spiritually impoverished and enslaved by sin, unable to deliver themselves from its devastating consequences ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Our "cry unto the LORD" for salvation, though often born of desperation, finds its perfect answer not in a temporary judge like Gideon, but in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice on the cross broke the power of sin and death, offering eternal freedom and spiritual abundance to all who believe ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant")). Through Christ, our desperate cry is met with divine mercy, transforming our spiritual destitution into a rich inheritance and an everlasting covenant of grace, fulfilling the longing for a deliverer that echoes throughout the Old Testament ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of a New Covenant")).

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 3:9

And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, [even] Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalms 106:43

Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked [him] with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

Psalms 106:44

Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

Jeremiah 5:17

And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, [which] thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.

Judges 3:15

But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

Hosea 5:15

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.