Judges 7:24

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Judges 7:24 details Gideon's strategic call to the powerful tribe of Ephraim immediately following the miraculous rout of the Midianite army. Recognizing that his initial force of 300 men could not fully pursue and capture the vast, fleeing enemy, Gideon dispatches messengers to Mount Ephraim, instructing them to seize the crucial Jordan River crossings, particularly the fords near Bethbarah. This decisive action aimed to cut off the Midianites' escape route back to their own territory, demonstrating the necessity of broader Israelite cooperation to consolidate and complete the divinely granted victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse transitions the narrative from the dramatic, divinely orchestrated defeat of the Midianites (as described in [Judges 7:19-23](/judges/7-19 "Judges 7:19-23 - The Rout of Midian")) to the subsequent pursuit and consolidation of the victory. Having witnessed God's overwhelming power cause the Midianite army to turn on itself in panic, Gideon now shifts from a small, specialized force to a broader call to arms. This strategic move sets the stage for the capture of Midianite leaders and the subsequent conflict with the Ephraimites in [Judges 8](/judges/8 "Judges 8 - Pursuit and Vengeance"), highlighting the practical follow-through required after a miraculous breakthrough.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For seven years, the Midianites, along with Amalekites and other "people of the East," had severely oppressed Israel, devastating their crops and livestock ([Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1-6 - Israel's Oppression by Midian")). This oppression was so severe that Israelites hid in caves. The Jordan River served as a significant geographical barrier, and its fords were critical crossing points, especially for nomadic groups like the Midianites returning to their lands east of the Jordan. Mount Ephraim was a strategically central and populous tribal territory, known for its strength and, at times, its contentious nature, as evidenced by their later confrontation with Gideon in [Judges 8:1-3](/judges/8-1 "Judges 8:1-3 - Ephraim's Complaint"). The term "Bethbarah" (Hebrew: בֵּית בָּרָה, _Beit Barah_) literally translates to "house of the ford," indicating a well-known and crucial crossing point.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 7:24 underscores several important themes. Firstly, it illustrates the principle of **divine victory requiring human follow-through**. While God provided the initial, overwhelming defeat of the Midianites through a miraculous intervention, human effort and strategic planning were still essential to complete the task and prevent the enemy's escape. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **unity and cooperation** among the tribes of Israel. Gideon's call to Ephraim emphasizes the necessity of collective action, demonstrating that even after a divinely orchestrated breakthrough, the broader community is called upon to participate in securing the full deliverance. This echoes the concept of the body of Christ working together, as seen in [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ"). Lastly, the verse showcases **strategic leadership** in action, as Gideon, despite God's direct intervention, exercises practical wisdom in consolidating the victory, understanding that the enemy's retreat must be cut off to ensure complete triumph.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mount Ephraim (Hebrew, _har Ephrayim'_):** Refers to the mountainous region inhabited by the tribe of Ephraim, a powerful and centrally located tribe in Israel. Gideon's choice to summon Ephraim indicates their strategic proximity to the Jordan fords and their significant military capacity, essential for intercepting the large, fleeing Midianite force.
* **Bethbarah (Hebrew, _Beit Barah'_):** Meaning "house of the ford" or "place of crossing," this name identifies a specific, well-known ford across the Jordan River. Its strategic importance lies in being a primary escape route for those fleeing from west to east across the Jordan, making its capture crucial for cutting off the Midianite retreat.
* **take before them the waters (Hebrew, _likh'du lahem et ha'mayim'_):** This phrase literally means "seize for yourselves the waters." In context, it refers to the strategic objective of capturing and holding the fords or crossing points of the Jordan River. By controlling these access points, the Ephraimites could prevent the Midianites from escaping across the river to safety in their own territory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites":** After the initial, miraculous rout of the Midianites, Gideon, with his small band of 300, recognized the need for a larger force to pursue and capture the fleeing enemy. His dispatch of messengers to Mount Ephraim demonstrates his strategic foresight and leadership, extending the call to arms to a powerful and centrally located tribe capable of intercepting the vast numbers of Midianites.
* **"and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan":** This clause specifies Gideon's precise military objective. The "waters" refer to the fords or crossing points of the Jordan River. By instructing the Ephraimites to "take before them" these points, Gideon intended for them to seize control of the escape routes, thereby trapping the Midianites who were attempting to cross the river back to their lands east of the Jordan. Bethbarah is identified as a key, well-known ford.
* **"Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.":** This concluding part of the verse highlights the swift and successful response of the Ephraimites. Despite their later grievances, they immediately mobilized and executed Gideon's command, demonstrating a willingness to participate in the national deliverance. Their successful seizure of the fords ensured that the Midianites were indeed cut off, leading to their capture and further defeat.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices. **Strategic Foresight** is evident in Gideon's immediate and precise command to cut off the enemy's escape, demonstrating a leader's ability to capitalize on a victory. The narrative also uses **Call to Action**, as Gideon's message serves as an urgent summons to the Ephraimites, leading to their prompt response. The swift **Fulfillment/Resolution** is seen in the immediate execution of Gideon's command by the men of Ephraim, creating a sense of effective military action. Finally, **Geographical Specificity** with "Mount Ephraim," "Bethbarah," and "Jordan" grounds the narrative in a tangible reality, emphasizing the strategic importance of these locations in the military campaign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 7:24 powerfully illustrates the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in God's redemptive plan. While God had already secured the decisive victory through a miraculous intervention with a tiny army, Gideon's subsequent call to Ephraim underscores that God often expects human participation in the full realization of His purposes. The initial breakthrough is God's, but the "mop-up" operation, the diligent pursuit, and the strategic consolidation of victory require human effort, cooperation, and obedience. This passage reminds us that spiritual victories are not always completed in a single, dramatic moment but often require sustained effort and the collective action of God's people. It highlights that God uses both the supernatural and the practical, the few and the many, to accomplish His will, calling His people to actively engage in the work He has begun.

* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - God Fights for Israel")
* [Ephesians 4:16](/ephesians/4-16 "Ephesians 4:16 - The Body Growing in Love")
* [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Working Out Your Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 7:24 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It teaches us that spiritual victories, whether personal or corporate, often demand diligent follow-through. God may grant the initial breakthrough, providing a miraculous deliverance from a stronghold or a sudden clarity in a challenging situation, but we are frequently called to participate in the "mop-up" operations. This means not becoming complacent after a significant win but continuing to press 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, to pursue God's purposes, and to strategically engage in the ongoing spiritual battle until the victory is complete. This requires discerning the "strategic points" in our lives or ministries where we need to cut off the enemy's retreat, preventing old habits or spiritual adversaries from regaining ground. It is a call to active partnership with God, recognizing that our obedience and cooperation are vital for the full manifestation of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life have you experienced a "breakthrough" but perhaps neglected the "follow-through"?**
* **How can you better discern and "take the waters" (i.e., secure strategic points) in your personal spiritual battles or in your ministry?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to cooperate more fully with other believers to consolidate a victory or advance His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Why did Gideon specifically call the tribe of Ephraim, and not other tribes?**

Answer: Gideon likely called Ephraim for several strategic reasons. Firstly, Ephraim was a powerful and populous tribe, capable of quickly mobilizing a large fighting force. Secondly, their geographical location was ideal; they were situated relatively close to the Jordan River fords, making them the most efficient choice to intercept the fleeing Midianites who were attempting to escape eastward. While other tribes might have been called, Ephraim's strength and proximity made them the most practical and effective choice for this specific, time-sensitive mission of cutting off the enemy's retreat. The narrative in [Judges 8:1](/judges/8-1 "Judges 8:1 - Ephraim's Complaint") suggests Ephraim was a proud tribe, and Gideon's call, though strategic, also set the stage for their later complaint about not being involved in the initial battle.

**What was the significance of "Bethbarah and Jordan" in this context?**

Answer: "Bethbarah" (meaning "house of the ford") and the "Jordan" River refer to critical geographical locations. The Jordan River was a significant natural barrier, and its fords (shallow crossing points) were the only ways to traverse it. For the Midianites, who were fleeing westward from the battle into their own territory east of the Jordan, these fords represented their primary escape routes. By instructing the Ephraimites to "take the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan," Gideon was ordering them to seize and hold these vital crossing points, thereby trapping the Midianites and preventing their escape. This strategic move was essential for consolidating the victory and ensuring the complete defeat of the enemy.

**Does Gideon's call for human help diminish God's role in the victory over Midian?**

Answer: Not at all. Gideon's call for human help does not diminish God's role but rather demonstrates how God often works through human cooperation to complete His purposes. God had already demonstrated His absolute power by defeating the vast Midianite army with only 300 men, ensuring that the victory was clearly His ([Judges 7:2](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2 - God Reduces Gideon's Army")). However, the pursuit and capture of the fleeing enemy, while part of the divinely initiated victory, required practical human effort and strategic follow-through. This passage illustrates the biblical principle that God initiates, empowers, and provides the ultimate victory, but He often calls His people to participate actively in the process of its full realization. It's a partnership where divine power enables human responsibility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 7:24, with Gideon's strategic call for the larger Israelite community to consolidate a divinely granted victory, beautifully foreshadows the comprehensive nature of Christ's triumph and the ongoing mission of His Church. Just as God secured the initial, decisive victory over Midian through Gideon's small band, Christ achieved the ultimate, definitive victory over sin, death, and the devil through His singular sacrifice on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). This victory is complete and unassailable. However, like Gideon's need for Ephraim to "take the waters" and cut off the enemy's retreat, Christ calls His followers—the Church, His body—to participate in the ongoing application and proclamation of this victory. We are commissioned to "make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), to "preach the gospel to all creation" ([Mark 16:15](/mark/16-15 "Mark 16:15 - Go Into All the World")), and to engage in spiritual warfare, "taking every thought captive to obey Christ" ([2 Corinthians 10:5](/2_corinthians/10-5 "2 Corinthians 10:5 - Taking Thoughts Captive")). Our role is not to secure the victory, for that is Christ's alone, but to strategically "take the waters"—to occupy key spiritual ground, to cut off the enemy's influence, and to ensure that the full implications of Christ's triumph are realized in the lives of individuals and throughout the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")).

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

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;