Judges 7:20

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow [withal]: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

And the three {H7969} companies {H7218} blew {H8628} the trumpets {H7782}, and brake {H7665} the pitchers {H3537}, and held {H2388} the lamps {H3940} in their left {H8040} hands {H3027}, and the trumpets {H7782} in their right {H3225} hands {H3027} to blow {H8628} withal: and they cried {H7121}, The sword {H2719} of the LORD {H3068}, and of Gideon {H1439}.

All three companies blew the shofars, broke the pitchers and held the torches in their left hands, keeping their right hands free for the shofars they were blowing; and they shouted, "The sword for ADONAI and for Gid'on!"

The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!”

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands wherewith to blow; and they cried, The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon.

Commentary

This verse describes the pivotal moment in Gideon's battle against the Midianites, where his small army executes the unusual tactic God had instructed.

Context

Judges Chapter 7 details how God drastically reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men. This was to ensure that the Israelites would know their victory came not from their own strength, but from the power of God. The Midianite army was vast, like grasshoppers in multitude. Gideon's 300 men were divided into three companies, each equipped with a trumpet, an empty pitcher, and a lamp inside the pitcher. Verse 20 captures the synchronized execution of the plan at the start of the battle.

Key Themes

  • God's Power in Weakness: The victory is achieved with minimal human force, highlighting God's ability to work powerfully through those who are weak or few in number.
  • Obedience and Faith: Gideon and his men demonstrate remarkable faith by obeying God's unconventional instructions, which seemed illogical from a military standpoint.
  • Psychological Warfare: The sudden noise of trumpets breaking the silence, the flashing lights from the lamps, and the unified shout created chaos and confusion in the enemy camp, leading to their self-destruction.
  • The Lord's Sword: The battle cry "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon" attributes the ultimate victory to God, with Gideon acting as His instrument. This echoes the theme that salvation and victory come from the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon" (Hebrew: חֶרֶב יְהוָה וְגִדְעוֹן - ḥereḇ YHWH wəḡiḏəʻôn) emphasizes the divine origin of the victory. While Gideon's name is included, it is clearly secondary to the LORD's. The word for "trumpets" (שׁוֹפָרוֹת - šôp̄ārôṯ) refers to the ram's horn trumpets, which were used not only in warfare but also for religious and ceremonial purposes, signifying a divine call or intervention.

Reflection

Judges 7:20 is a powerful reminder that God's ways are often contrary to human logic. Our strength and resources are not the limiting factors in what God can accomplish through us. What matters is our obedience and faith in His instructions, even when they seem strange or inadequate for the task at hand. The victory belongs to the Lord, and He often chooses the most unexpected means to demonstrate His glory, ensuring that He receives the praise.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 27:13 (4 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:52 (3 votes)

    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7 (3 votes)

    But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

  • Joshua 6:16 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

  • Numbers 10:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

  • Numbers 10:10 (2 votes)

    Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Joshua 6:20 (2 votes)

    So the people shouted when [the priests] blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.