Judges 7:18

KJV

When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that [are] with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, [The sword] of the LORD, and of Gideon.

KJV (with Strong's)

When I blow {H8628} with a trumpet {H7782}, I and all that are with me, then blow {H8628} ye the trumpets {H7782} also on every side {H5439} of all the camp {H4264}, and say {H559}, The sword of the LORD {H3068}, and of Gideon {H1439}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When I and everyone with me blow the shofar, then you blow your shofars all around the whole camp, and shout, "For ADONAI and for Gid'on!"

Berean Standard Bible

When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’”

American Standard Version

When I blow the trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, For Jehovah and for Gideon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 7:18 encapsulates Gideon's final, audacious command to his hand-picked 300 warriors, detailing the synchronized, psychological assault on the vast Midianite encampment. This instruction, given on the cusp of battle, outlines the coordinated blowing of trumpets and the unified shout, "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon," a strategy divinely orchestrated to instill panic and confusion among the enemy, ensuring that the ensuing victory would be unequivocally attributed to God's miraculous intervention rather than human strength or conventional military might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 7:18 is situated at the climax of Gideon's narrative in the Book of Judges, specifically within the account of his confrontation with the Midianites. Preceding this verse, God has dramatically reduced Gideon's army from an initial 32,000 to a mere 300 men, first by dismissing the fearful, then by observing how the remaining men drank water. This radical reduction, detailed in [Judges 7:2-7](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2-7 - God Reduces Gideon's Army"), served to eliminate any possibility of Israel boasting in their own strength, ensuring God alone would receive the glory for the impending victory. Immediately prior to this specific instruction, Gideon, having been encouraged by God to scout the Midianite camp, overheard a Midianite soldier recounting a dream about a barley loaf overturning their tent, interpreted by his comrade as a sign that God had delivered Midian into Gideon's hand ([Judges 7:9-15](/judges/7-9 "Judges 7:9-15 - Gideon Spies on the Midianite Camp")). This divine confirmation emboldened Gideon, leading directly to the formulation and communication of the precise battle plan, of which verse 18 is a critical component. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic, unconventional attack described in [Judges 7:19-22](/judges/7-19 "Judges 7:19-22 - The Attack and Midianite Rout").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by cyclical apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. For seven years, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other "people of the East" had severely oppressed Israel, raiding their crops and livestock, leading to widespread famine and impoverishment ([Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1-6 - Israel Oppressed by Midian")). Ancient warfare often involved psychological tactics alongside physical combat. Trumpets (shofars) were commonly used in Israel for signaling, assembling troops, announcing feasts, and, significantly, for warfare (e.g., [Joshua 6:4-5](/joshua/6-4 "Joshua 6:4-5 - Trumpets at Jericho")). The sudden, coordinated blast of 300 trumpets, combined with the shattering of pitchers and the simultaneous shout of "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon," was designed to create maximum confusion and terror in the enemy camp, making them believe they were surrounded by a much larger force. The concept of "the sword of the LORD" resonated deeply within Israelite culture, where Yahweh was understood as the divine warrior who fought for His people, as seen in [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - God Fights for Israel").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**, emphasizing that God's power is not limited by human weakness or numerical disadvantage. The victory is clearly God's work, not Gideon's or Israel's strength. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Obedience and Faith**, as Gideon and his men follow an utterly unconventional and seemingly illogical strategy, demonstrating their trust in God's specific instructions. This contrasts with Israel's frequent disobedience throughout the book. Thirdly, the passage illustrates **God Using the Weak and Unlikely**, a recurring motif in Scripture where God chooses humble instruments to accomplish mighty deeds, ensuring His glory is magnified. This is evident in God's choice of Gideon, a man from the weakest clan in Manasseh ([Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humility")), and His further reduction of Gideon's army. Finally, it showcases the **Power of Declaration and Psychological Warfare**, where a spoken word and a symbolic act become potent weapons in God's hands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trumpet (Hebrew, _shofar'_):** The Hebrew term שׁוֹפָר (_shofar_) refers to a ram's horn, a significant instrument in ancient Israel. It was used for various purposes: signaling assembly or battle (e.g., [Numbers 10:9](/numbers/10-9 "Numbers 10:9 - Trumpets for War")), announcing new moons and feasts, accompanying worship, and even symbolizing the voice of God (e.g., [Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - Trumpet Blast at Sinai")). In this context, the _shofar_ served as a crucial military signal, but its spiritual connotations also imbued the act with a sense of divine presence and authority, turning a mere sound into a declaration of spiritual warfare.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _ḥerev'_):** The word חֶרֶב (_ḥerev_) literally means "sword" or "dagger." While Gideon and his men carried physical swords, the phrase "The sword of the LORD" elevates the meaning beyond a mere physical weapon. It symbolizes God's active intervention, His power, and His judgment. It signifies that the true power and decisive blow in this battle would come from God Himself, making Gideon merely an instrument in His hand. This aligns with the biblical understanding of God as a warrior who fights for His people.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** The use of the divine name יְהוָה (_YHWH_), often rendered as "LORD" in English translations, is profoundly significant. It is the covenant name of God, revealing His personal, active, and redemptive presence with His people. In the context of "The sword of the LORD," it underscores that the victory is not merely a stroke of luck or human ingenuity, but a direct act of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God who is fighting on behalf of Israel. It emphasizes His faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate authority over all earthly powers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that [are] with me":** This clause establishes Gideon's role as the leader and initiator of the coordinated attack. His trumpet blast is the signal for the entire force of 300 to act simultaneously. It signifies a unified, disciplined response to a single command, crucial for the success of their unconventional strategy.
* **"then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp":** This is the core instruction for the 300 men. They are to spread out around the vast Midianite camp, each man equipped with a trumpet. The simultaneous blowing of 300 trumpets, combined with the shattering of pitchers and the sudden appearance of torches, would create an overwhelming cacophony and visual spectacle, giving the impression of a massive, encircling army, thereby inducing panic and disorientation among the sleeping enemy.
* **"and say, [The sword] of the LORD, and of Gideon.":** This is the crucial verbal declaration that accompanies the trumpet blasts and the shattering of the pitchers. The shout attributes the impending victory first and foremost to "the LORD," acknowledging His supreme power and active involvement. By including "and of Gideon," it recognizes Gideon's instrumental role as God's chosen leader, but clearly subordinates his agency to God's. This declaration was designed to demoralize the Midianites by proclaiming the divine nature of the assault, while simultaneously emboldening the Israelites by reminding them that God was fighting for them.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 7:18 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its message and heighten the drama. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the trumpet (shofar) symbolizing not just a military signal but also divine presence and a call to spiritual warfare, and the "sword" representing God's active power and judgment, transcending its literal meaning. The entire strategy, including the small number of men, the trumpets, and the torches, functions as a powerful **symbol** of God's ability to achieve victory through unconventional means and apparent weakness. There is an element of **Irony** in God's method: a tiny, ill-equipped army achieves a decisive victory not through conventional might but through noise and light, turning human weakness into divine strength. The phrase "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon" itself is a form of **Merism** or **Hendiadys**, where two elements are used to express a single, complex idea – that God's power is the ultimate force, working through His chosen human instrument. The **Repetition** of this command and shout in the actual execution of the plan in [Judges 7:20](/judges/7-20 "Judges 7:20 - The Shout and Rout") reinforces its significance and impact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 7:18 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs and His unique methods of deliverance. It teaches that God is not limited by human strength, numbers, or conventional wisdom; in fact, He often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. This passage powerfully illustrates the principle that "the battle is the Lord's," and that true victory comes through radical obedience to His often counter-intuitive commands, rather than reliance on human might or strategic brilliance. It challenges believers to trust God's ways even when they defy logical explanation, reminding us that His power is perfected in our weakness, and His plans are always superior.

* [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak")
* [2 Chronicles 20:15](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15 - The Battle is Not Yours, But God's")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 7:18 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating challenges in their own lives. It calls us to examine where we are placing our trust: in our own abilities, resources, or conventional solutions, or in God's unconventional wisdom and power. When faced with overwhelming odds—whether in personal struggles, ministry endeavors, or societal challenges—this passage encourages us to remember that God delights in working through apparent weakness to display His strength. Our obedience to His specific, sometimes illogical, instructions is paramount, for it is in stepping out in faith that we create room for His miraculous intervention. Like Gideon's men, we are called to be instruments in God's hands, faithfully executing His plan and boldly declaring His sovereignty, knowing that the ultimate victory belongs to Him. This verse compels us to move beyond human reasoning and embrace a radical trust in the God who can save by many or by few.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life are you facing "overwhelming odds" that seem to defy conventional solutions?**
* **What "unconventional" instructions or promptings might God be giving you that require a step of faith and obedience?**
* **How can you more consistently declare God's sovereignty and active presence in your circumstances, even when they seem dire?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to relinquish self-reliance and embrace your weakness as a conduit for His power?**

### FAQ
**Why did God reduce Gideon's army so drastically before the battle?**

Answer: God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men (a reduction of over 99%) primarily to ensure that the victory would be undeniably attributed to His divine power alone, rather than to Israel's military strength or numerical superiority. As stated in [Judges 7:2](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2 - God's Reason for Army Reduction"), God told Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'" This act served as a powerful theological lesson, preventing human boasting and instilling in Israel the understanding that their deliverance came solely from Yahweh. It reinforced the principle that God often chooses the weak and the few to accomplish His purposes, thereby magnifying His glory, as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17 "Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - Do Not Forget the Lord Your God").

**What is the significance of the shout "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon"?**

Answer: The phrase "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon" is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it explicitly attributes the primary power and ultimate victory to "the LORD" (Yahweh), affirming His role as the divine warrior who fights for His people. This declaration would have instilled terror in the Midianites, who would have recognized the name of Israel's God. Secondly, by including "and of Gideon," it acknowledges Gideon's instrumental role as God's chosen leader and agent. It's a declaration of divine partnership, where God works through human obedience. It was not "Gideon's sword" alone, nor was it merely "the LORD's sword" without a human instrument. This combined shout was a powerful psychological weapon, a bold proclamation of God's active presence and leadership in the battle, designed to demoralize the enemy and embolden the Israelites, reminding them that they were fighting under divine command.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 7:18, with its emphasis on divine power operating through apparent weakness and unconventional means, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Gideon's victory, achieved not by human might but by a divinely orchestrated strategy of noise, light, and a powerful declaration, foreshadows Christ's triumph over sin and death. Jesus, the ultimate "Sword of the LORD," did not conquer through worldly power or conventional warfare, but through His sacrificial death on the cross—an act that appeared to be weakness and foolishness to the world ([1 Corinthians 1:23-25](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23-25 - Christ Crucified, the Power of God")). Yet, through this "weakness," He disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The "shout" of the gospel, seemingly foolish to the world, is the very power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). Just as Gideon's 300 were instruments in God's hand, so too are believers called to be Christ's witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit, not by their own strength, to proclaim His victory and extend His kingdom ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")). The battle against spiritual darkness is still the Lord's, and He calls His church to participate through faith-filled obedience, declaring the triumph of the Lamb of God, who is the true "Sword of the LORD" that brings ultimate deliverance ([Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - The Sword from Christ's Mouth")).

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

2 Chronicles 20:15

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:17

Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you.

1 Samuel 17:47

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.