Judges 7:22

KJV

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the three {H7969} hundred {H3967} blew {H8628} the trumpets {H7782}, and the LORD {H3068} set {H7760} every man's {H376} sword {H2719} against his fellow {H7453}, even throughout all the host {H4264}: and the host {H4264} fled {H5127} to Bethshittah {H1029} in Zererath {H6888}, and to the border {H8193} of Abelmeholah {H65}, unto Tabbath {H2888}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Gid'on's men blew their 300 shofars, and ADONAI caused everyone in the camp to attack his comrades; and the enemy fled beyond Beit-Sheetah near Tz'rerah, as far as the border of Avel-M'cholah, by Tabat.

Berean Standard Bible

And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

American Standard Version

And they blew the three hundred trumpets, and Jehovah set every man’s sword against his fellow, and against all the host; and the host fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 7:22 captures the climactic moment of Gideon’s miraculous victory over the Midianite horde, revealing the profound supernatural intervention of God. As Gideon’s 300 men blew their trumpets and shattered their pitchers, the Lord Himself supernaturally caused the vast enemy army to turn their swords against one another, leading to a chaotic rout and swift flight across the Jordan Valley. This verse powerfully underscores divine sovereignty in warfare, demonstrating that victory belongs to the Lord, not to human strength or strategy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 7:22 serves as the dramatic culmination of Gideon's campaign against the Midianites, building directly on the preceding narrative. The account begins with Israel's oppression by Midian for seven years, leading to their cry for deliverance in [Judges 6](/judges/6 "Judges 6 - Midianite Oppression and Gideon's Call"). God's call to Gideon, initially hesitant, is confirmed through a series of signs. Crucially, God deliberately reduces Gideon's massive initial army of 32,000 to a mere 300 men, explicitly stating His purpose: "lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me" ([Judges 7:2](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2 - God Reduces Gideon's Army")). This reduction sets the stage for the supernatural nature of the victory. Gideon's unconventional strategy, detailed in [Judges 7:16-21](/judges/7-16 "Judges 7:16-21 - Gideon's Strategy and Battle Cry"), involves his small band surrounding the Midianite camp at night, each man equipped with a trumpet, a pitcher, and a lamp. The simultaneous blowing of trumpets, breaking of pitchers, and shouting of "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon!" ([Judges 7:20](/judges/7-20 "Judges 7:20 - Gideon's Battle Cry")) directly precipitates the chaos described in verse 22. This verse, therefore, is the immediate and divinely orchestrated consequence of Gideon's obedient, faith-filled action.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and divine deliverance. Israel, having failed to fully dispossess the Canaanites, frequently succumbed to idolatry and faced subjugation by surrounding peoples. The Midianites, a nomadic people from the Arabian desert, were particularly oppressive, devastating Israel's crops and livestock for seven years, forcing the Israelites to seek refuge in caves and strongholds. This context highlights Israel's dire military weakness and economic ruin, making any human-led victory against such a formidable, numerous, and well-equipped foe seem impossible. Ancient warfare often involved psychological tactics, but the scale and immediate internal turning of swords described here transcend typical human stratagem, pointing to a direct, supernatural act of God. The mention of specific geographical locations like Bethshittah, Zererath, Abelmeholah, and Tabbath indicates the historical reality of the event, tracing the path of the Midianite rout through the Jordan Valley, a significant strategic corridor.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 7:22 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent in the book of Judges and throughout biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, where God actively and directly intervenes in human affairs, especially in warfare, to achieve His purposes. The explicit statement "the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow" leaves no doubt that this was a divinely orchestrated event, not a mere stroke of luck or human ingenuity. This highlights God's absolute control over outcomes and His ability to turn the enemy's strength against itself. Secondly, the passage emphasizes **God's Use of the Weak and Few**, demonstrating His preference for working through seemingly inadequate means to magnify His power and ensure that glory is ascribed to Him alone. Gideon's 300 men were merely instruments; God was the true warrior, a theme echoed in the New Testament where God "chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise" ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak")). Finally, the verse illustrates the theme of **Divine Chaos and Confusion Among the Enemy**, a recurring motif in biblical warfare where God fights for His people by sowing discord and terror among their adversaries, as seen in [2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Jehoshaphat's Victory") where the Ammonites and Moabites turned on each other.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Set (Hebrew, _śîm_):** The Hebrew verb וַיָּשֶׂם (_vayyāśem_), derived from the root שׂוּם (_śûm_), means "to put, place, set, appoint, make." In this context, it signifies a deliberate and active placement or arrangement by the Lord. It's not a passive allowance or a mere coincidence, but a direct, volitional act of God that caused the Midianites to turn their weapons against each other. This verb underscores divine agency and intentionality in the chaos that ensued.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _ḥerev_):** The Hebrew word חֶרֶב (_ḥerev_) refers to a sword, a primary weapon of ancient warfare. The phrase "every man's sword against his fellow" literally means that their own instruments of war, intended for the enemy, were supernaturally directed against their comrades. This highlights the ironic and devastating precision of God's intervention, turning their means of offense into instruments of self-destruction.
* **Host (Hebrew, _maḥaneh_):** The Hebrew term מַחֲנֶה (_maḥaneh_) denotes a camp, encampment, or army/host. It emphasizes the vast numerical superiority of the Midianite forces. The fact that the Lord caused internal strife "throughout all the host" signifies the widespread and comprehensive nature of the divine confusion, affecting the entire massive encampment, not just a localized skirmish.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the three hundred blew the trumpets":** This clause describes the immediate action of Gideon's small band. Their obedience to God's unusual command, involving a loud, sudden sound in the dead of night, served as the human catalyst for the divine intervention. The trumpets were not weapons but instruments of noise and signal, highlighting the non-military nature of their "attack."
* **"and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host":** This is the pivotal statement, attributing the miraculous outcome directly to God. The phrase "the LORD set" emphasizes divine agency. The Midianites, disoriented by the sudden noise, light, and shouting in the darkness, were supernaturally confused by God, causing them to mistake their own allies for enemies. This resulted in widespread fratricide and panic within their vast camp, leading to their self-destruction.
* **"and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath":** This part of the verse describes the immediate consequence of the internal chaos: the Midianite army's headlong flight. The mention of specific geographical locations details their escape route, indicating a desperate and disorganized retreat across the Jordan Valley, confirming the thoroughness of their defeat and the reality of the historical event.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 7:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Divine Irony** is central, as the very weapons intended for Israel's destruction are turned by God against the Midianites themselves, leading to their self-inflicted defeat. The "sword of the LORD" (mentioned in [Judges 7:20](/judges/7-20 "Judges 7:20 - Gideon's Battle Cry")) is manifested not through Gideon's men wielding physical swords, but through God causing the enemy to wield their *own* swords against each other, demonstrating a higher, supernatural power at work. The description of the widespread chaos "throughout all the host" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the complete and overwhelming nature of the rout, though it likely reflects the practical reality of a massive army in disarray. The swift transition from the blowing of trumpets to the enemy's flight highlights **Cause and Effect**, underscoring the direct and immediate link between Gideon's obedience and God's miraculous intervention. The use of **Pathos** is evident in the description of the enemy's panicked flight through specific locations, evoking the desperation and terror of a defeated army.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 7:22 stands as a profound testament to God's absolute sovereignty and His unique methods of warfare. It dismantles the human tendency to rely on strength in numbers or military might, instead exalting divine power and intervention. The victory is not merely a strategic success but a theological declaration that "the battle is the LORD's" ([1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's")). This event serves as a powerful reminder that God often chooses to work through seemingly weak or unconventional means to accomplish His mighty purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. It teaches that obedience to God's commands, even when they appear illogical from a human perspective, unlocks supernatural power and ensures victory against overwhelming odds. The chaos sown among the Midianites is a recurring divine strategy, demonstrating God's ability to confound and dismantle the plans of His adversaries.

* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Size of His Army")
* [2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Jehoshaphat's Victory")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 7:22 offers timeless encouragement for believers facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It reminds us that our greatest victories, whether in personal struggles, spiritual warfare, or daunting life circumstances, are ultimately won not by our own strength, resources, or cleverness, but by God's power working through our obedience and faith. When confronted with overwhelming odds or a "host" of problems, this verse calls us to shift our focus from our limited capabilities to God's unlimited power. It encourages us to trust in His ability to intervene in miraculous ways, even turning our adversaries or the very circumstances against themselves for our deliverance. The lesson is clear: our role is to be faithful in the small, seemingly insignificant acts of obedience—like blowing a trumpet or breaking a pitcher—and God will bring about the mighty, often unexpected, results. This passage fosters a deep reliance on divine strategy rather than human might, cultivating a faith that knows with God, victory is assured, regardless of the numbers or circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently facing "overwhelming odds" that seem impossible to overcome by your own strength?**
* **How might God be calling you to an act of "foolish" or unconventional obedience that requires complete trust in His intervention?**
* **What "swords" (challenges, adversaries, internal conflicts) in your life might God be able to turn against themselves for your ultimate good and His glory?**

### FAQ

**How did the Midianites turn their swords on each other? Was it truly supernatural or a natural panic?**

Answer: While panic and confusion are natural reactions in a surprise night attack, the text explicitly states, "the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow." This phrasing strongly indicates a direct, supernatural intervention by God. It wasn't just a general chaos, but a divinely orchestrated disorientation that caused them to mistake their own allies for enemies in the darkness and confusion of the sudden noise and light. This divine act ensured the victory was clearly attributed to God, not to Gideon's military genius or the strength of his small army. It's a miracle, not merely a psychological phenomenon.

**What is the significance of the trumpets, pitchers, and lamps in Gideon's strategy?**

Answer: The trumpets, pitchers, and lamps were not conventional weapons but served as instruments of psychological warfare and symbolic declarations. The trumpets created a deafening noise, mimicking a much larger attacking force and signaling a widespread assault. The breaking of the pitchers, revealing the lamps, created a sudden burst of light in the darkness, adding to the disorientation and terror. Symbolically, these actions represented the breaking of human strength and reliance (the pitchers) to reveal God's light and power (the lamps), with the trumpets proclaiming His victory. The fact that the men had no swords (apart from Gideon's own, implied by the battle cry in [Judges 7:20](/judges/7-20 "Judges 7:20 - Gideon's Battle Cry")) further emphasizes that the victory was God's, not theirs.

**Does this story suggest that God always intervenes miraculously in battles or conflicts?**

Answer: While God certainly has the power to intervene miraculously in any conflict, Judges 7:22 highlights a specific instance where He chose to do so to teach a profound lesson about His sovereignty and Israel's dependence on Him. It's not a blanket promise that every battle will end with divine fratricide among enemies. Instead, it underscores that God is ultimately in control of all outcomes, and He can deliver His people through means that defy human logic and military might. The primary lesson is about trusting God's power and obeying His commands, regardless of the apparent odds, rather than expecting a specific type of miraculous intervention in every situation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 7:22, with its vivid depiction of divine intervention and victory through weakness, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Gideon's battle, where God turns the enemy's weapons against themselves, foreshadows the ultimate victory achieved by Christ, not through military might, but through apparent weakness and self-sacrifice. Just as Gideon's 300 men, armed with trumpets and lamps, were instruments for God's supernatural confusion of the Midianites, so Christ, through His crucifixion—a seeming defeat—disarmed and triumphed over the spiritual forces of darkness. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers") declares that Jesus "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him." The "sword" of the enemy, death and sin, was turned against itself by Christ's resurrection, destroying the very power of the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). Furthermore, the victory in Judges 7:22 was for Israel's deliverance, pointing to Jesus as the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), securing eternal deliverance for all who believe. In Him, believers are "more than conquerors" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")), not by their own strength, but by the power of the Spirit, wielding not physical weapons, but spiritual ones ([2 Corinthians 10:4](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4 - The Weapons of Our Warfare")), against spiritual foes ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")). Thus, Judges 7:22 is a powerful Old Testament echo of the New Testament truth that God's greatest victories are achieved through means that confound human wisdom, culminating in the cross and resurrection of Jesus 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.