Judges 7:1

¶ Then Jerubbaal, who [is] Gideon, and all the people that [were] with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

Then Jerubbaal {H3378}, who is Gideon {H1439}, and all the people {H5971} that were with him, rose up early {H7925}, and pitched {H2583} beside the well of Harod {H5878}: so that the host {H4264} of the Midianites {H4080} were on the north side {H6828} of them, by the hill {H1389} of Moreh {H4176}, in the valley {H6010}.

Then Yeruba'al, that is, Gid'on, and all the people with him, got up early and set up camp by 'Ein-Harod; the camp of Midyan was north of them, by Giv'at-Moreh, in the valley.

Early in the morning Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the men with him camped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh.

Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and encamped beside the spring of Harod: and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

Commentary

Judges 7:1 introduces the pivotal moment in Gideon's campaign against the oppressive Midianites, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic military victories. The verse establishes the initial deployment of Gideon's forces—identified here by his God-given, prophetic name, Jerubbaal—and their strategic position relative to the formidable enemy.

Context

This verse follows a period of seven years of severe Midianite oppression over Israel, leading to God's call to Gideon, a seemingly timid farmer. Gideon's transformation began with the destruction of his father's altar to Baal, which earned him the name "Jerubbaal" (meaning "let Baal contend") from the people, as recorded in Judges 6:32. Here, Gideon and his large initial army of 32,000 men have gathered, positioning themselves at the Well of Harod. Their encampment directly faces the vast host of the Midianites, Amalekites, and "children of the east," who were encamped in the valley by the Hill of Moreh, highlighting the immediate confrontation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Direction and Obedience: Gideon's actions, including rising early and strategically pitching camp, demonstrate his continued obedience to God's call, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
  • Strategic Positioning: The geographical details—the Well of Harod, the Hill of Moreh, and the valley—are crucial. They describe a tactical layout that would soon become the backdrop for God's miraculous intervention, emphasizing the strategic advantage God gives to His people.
  • Anticipation of God's Power: The verse explicitly notes the presence of the "host of the Midianites," underscoring their vast numbers and formidable presence. This stark contrast between Israel's initial army and the enemy's multitude sets the stage for the dramatic reduction of Gideon's army in subsequent verses, designed by God to ensure that the victory would be clearly attributed to Him alone.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Jerubbaal" (Hebrew: יְרֻבַּעַל, Yerubba‘al) is significant. It literally means "let Baal contend" or "Baal will contend," a direct challenge to the pagan deity. This name signifies Gideon's decisive break from idolatry and his public alignment with Yahweh, marking him as a champion for God's covenant. The "Well of Harod" (עֵין חֲרֹד, ‘Ein Harod) can mean "fountain of trembling," perhaps foreshadowing the fear that would soon cause many of Gideon's men to depart, or the trembling of the Midianites in their eventual defeat.

Practical Application

Judges 7:1 reminds us that God often calls us to step out in faith and prepare for challenges, even when the opposition appears insurmountable. Like Gideon, we are to be diligent ("rose up early") and strategically positioned, but our ultimate reliance must be on God's power, not our own strength or numbers. This verse serves as a powerful prelude to the principle that God often chooses the weak and few to confound the mighty, ensuring His glory is revealed.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 6:32

    Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

  • Genesis 12:6

    ¶ And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

  • Genesis 22:3

    ¶ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

  • Deuteronomy 11:30

    [Are] they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?

  • Joshua 3:1

    ¶ And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

  • Joshua 6:12

    And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.