Judges 7:24

And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.

And Gideon {H1439} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} throughout all mount {H2022} Ephraim {H669}, saying {H559}, Come down {H3381} against {H7125} the Midianites {H4080}, and take {H3920} before them the waters {H4325} unto Bethbarah {H1012} and Jordan {H3383}. Then all the men {H376} of Ephraim {H669} gathered themselves together {H6817}, and took {H3920} the waters {H4325} unto Bethbarah {H1012} and Jordan {H3383}.

Gid'on sent messengers through all the hills of Efrayim, with the message, "Come down and attack Midyan; and capture the rivers before they get there, as far as Beit-Barah, and also the Yarden." So all the men of Efrayim came together and seized the rivers as far as Beit-Barah and the Yarden.

Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim to say, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth-barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth-barah.

And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill-country of Ephraim, saying, Come down against Midian, and take before them the waters, as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan. So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and took the waters as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan.

Commentary

Judges 7:24 describes a crucial phase in the aftermath of Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites. After the initial panic and rout of the enemy, Gideon sends a call to arms, demonstrating both strategic foresight and the necessity of broader Israelite involvement in securing the triumph.

Context

Following the divine intervention that led to the Midianite army's self-destruction and flight (see Judges 7:22), the surviving Midianites sought to escape across the Jordan River into their own territory. Gideon, with his initial 300 men, could not possibly pursue and capture such a vast fleeing host alone. Therefore, he strategically summons the men of Mount Ephraim, a geographically significant and populous region, to cut off the Midianites' retreat. The instruction to "take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan" means to seize the fordable crossings of the Jordan River, preventing the enemy from reaching safety.

Key Themes

  • Strategic Pursuit: This verse highlights the importance of following through on a victory. While God provided the initial, overwhelming defeat, human effort and strategic planning were still required to complete the task and prevent the enemy's escape.
  • Unity and Cooperation: Gideon's call to Ephraim underscores the need for collective action among the tribes of Israel. Even after a divinely orchestrated breakthrough, the broader community is called upon to participate in securing the full deliverance. This echoes the principle that the body of Christ works together.
  • Divine Guidance and Human Obedience: Though the battle strategy of the 300 was unique, Gideon's subsequent actions in pursuing the enemy and calling for help demonstrate a practical application of leadership guided by God's initial success.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Bethbarah" (Hebrew: בֵּית בָּרָה, Beit Barah) likely means "house of the ford" or "place of crossing." This suggests it was a well-known point for traversing the Jordan River, making its capture critical for intercepting the fleeing Midianites.

Practical Application

Judges 7:24 reminds us that spiritual victories often require diligent follow-through. God may grant the initial breakthrough, but we are often called to participate in the "mop-up" operations—whether in personal growth, ministry, or overcoming challenges. It teaches us to not become complacent after a significant win but to continue pressing forward, often by enlisting the help and cooperation of others in the community or the church. Just as Ephraim was summoned to secure the Jordan crossings, believers are called to stand firm and pursue God's purposes until the victory is complete.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 3:27

    And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.

  • Judges 3:28

    And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

  • Philippians 1:27

    ¶ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

  • John 1:28

    These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

  • Judges 12:5

    And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was [so], that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, [Art] thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;

  • Romans 15:30

    ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;