Judges 7:4

KJV

And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people [are] yet [too] many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, [that] of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Gideon {H1439}, The people {H5971} are yet too many {H7227}; bring them down {H3381} unto the water {H4325}, and I will try {H6884} them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say {H559} unto thee, This shall go {H3212} with thee, the same shall go {H3212} with thee; and of whomsoever I say {H559} unto thee, This shall not go {H3212} with thee, the same shall not go {H3212}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Gid'on, "There are still too many people. Have them come down to the water, and there I will screen them for you. If I say of anyone, 'This one is for you,' he will go with you; and if I say, 'This one is not for you,' he won't go with you."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 7:4 reveals the LORD's continued strategic reduction of Gideon's army, even after 22,000 fearful men had departed, leaving 10,000. God declares this remaining number still "too many," asserting His intent to personally test and select the final contingent at the water. This divine intervention underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the battle's outcome, ensuring that the impending victory against the Midianites would be unequivocally attributed to His power alone, not to human strength or numbers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal within the dramatic narrative of Gideon's call and preparation in Judges 6-8. It follows the initial reduction of Gideon's army from 32,000 to 10,000, as commanded by the LORD in [Judges 7:2-3](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2-3 - The First Reduction of Gideon's Army"), which aimed to prevent Israel from boasting in their own strength. Judges 7:4 sets the stage for the second, more unusual, and divinely orchestrated test at the water, which is detailed in [Judges 7:5-7](/judges/7-5 "Judges 7:5-7 - The Test at the Water and Final Selection"). The subsequent verses recount the astonishing victory of the 300 men over the vast Midianite horde, demonstrating the principle established in this verse: God's power is perfected in human weakness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and divine deliverance. Israel was under severe oppression from the Midianites, Amalekites, and "people of the East," who annually raided their land, destroying crops and livestock, leaving Israel impoverished and demoralized ([Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1-6 - Midianite Oppression of Israel")). Military strength was typically measured by numbers, making God's insistence on a tiny force profoundly counter-cultural and strategically illogical from a human perspective. The setting, likely near the spring of Harod in the Valley of Jezreel, was a common battleground, emphasizing the daunting odds Gideon faced against a numerically superior enemy.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 7:4 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes in the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative** are paramount; God dictates the terms of engagement, not Gideon or the army. He is the ultimate strategist, ensuring His glory is magnified. Secondly, the theme of **Dependence on God** is central; by drastically reducing the army, God forces Gideon and Israel to rely entirely on His supernatural intervention, rather than on their own might or wisdom. This echoes the principle that "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" ([Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power")). Thirdly, **God's Testing and Refinement** are evident; the process at the water is not merely a selection but a divine trial designed to reveal the true character, vigilance, and readiness of the soldiers for God's specific purpose. This divine scrutiny prepares individuals for effective service, as seen in other biblical accounts of God's chosen instruments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Many (Hebrew, _rav'_):** The Hebrew word רַב (_rav_) means "much," "many," "great," or "numerous." In this context, when the LORD declares the people "yet too many," it's not a quantitative assessment of their actual numerical strength against the Midianites, but a qualitative judgment from God's perspective. The "too many" implies that their numbers still posed a risk for human pride to claim credit for the victory, thereby obscuring God's glory. It underscores God's unique methodology, which often operates inversely to human logic, valuing divine power over human abundance.
* **Try (Hebrew, _bachan'_):** The verb בָּחַן (_bachan_) signifies "to test," "to prove," "to examine," or "to refine." It is often used in the context of assaying metals to determine their purity (e.g., [Psalm 66:10](/psalms/66-10 "Psalm 66:10 - God Tests and Refines")). Here, it indicates a rigorous, divine process of discernment. God is not merely selecting based on a superficial characteristic but is actively scrutinizing the inner qualities, readiness, and perhaps even the spiritual state of the soldiers to determine who is truly fit for His specific, unconventional warfare. This testing reveals dependence, vigilance, and obedience.
* **Go (Hebrew, _halakh'_):** The verb הָלַךְ (_halakh_) means "to go," "to walk," or "to proceed." Its repetition four times in the latter part of the verse ("This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go") emphasizes the absolute authority and finality of God's decision. The selection is entirely divine; Gideon is merely the executor of God's explicit command. The simple act of "going" or "not going" becomes a profound act of divine election and human obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people [are] yet [too] many":** Even after the initial reduction from 32,000 to 10,000 men (those who were fearful having departed), the LORD reiterates that the remaining force is still too large for His divine purpose. This highlights God's unwavering commitment to ensuring that the impending victory would be undeniably His, preventing any human claim to glory.
* **"bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there":** God commands Gideon to lead the men to a specific location—the water source (likely the spring of Harod). Crucially, God states, "I will try them," indicating that the test is not Gideon's to devise or execute, but God's own. This emphasizes God's active, personal involvement in the selection process, acting as the divine assayist to discern the true character and suitability of each man.
* **"and it shall be, [that] of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee":** This clause establishes the absolute authority of God's pronouncement. The selection is entirely God's prerogative. Those whom God designates to "go with" Gideon will indeed accompany him into battle, signifying divine approval and enablement for the task. The repetition of "shall go with thee" underscores the certainty and finality of God's choice.
* **"and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go":** Conversely, this clause reinforces the divine exclusion. Those whom God determines are not to "go with" Gideon will be dismissed. This demonstrates God's sovereign right to choose His instruments according to His own criteria, which often defy human logic or conventional military wisdom. The repetition of "shall not go" similarly emphasizes the certainty of their dismissal.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Divine Command** is central, as the LORD directly instructs Gideon, emphasizing His absolute authority and initiative in the unfolding events. The **Repetition** of "This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee" and "This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go" serves to underscore the absolute certainty and finality of God's selection process, leaving no room for human appeal or doubt. This repetition also highlights the **Parallelism** between the chosen and the dismissed, emphasizing the clear distinction God will make. Furthermore, the statement that the army is "yet too many" after a significant reduction functions as **Irony** from a human military perspective, as a smaller force would typically be considered a disadvantage. This irony highlights God's unconventional methods and His intention to work through apparent weakness to demonstrate His strength, a recurring motif in biblical narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 7:4 is a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty, His unique methods, and His desire for His people's complete dependence. It powerfully illustrates that divine victory is not achieved through human strength or numerical superiority, but through God's power working through chosen, often seemingly inadequate, instruments. This principle counters human tendencies to rely on visible resources and encourages radical trust in God's unseen hand. God's testing process here is not to gain information He doesn't already possess, but to reveal the hearts of the men and to further impress upon Gideon and Israel that the battle belongs to the LORD. This concept of God deliberately choosing the weak or few to accomplish His purposes is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone.

* [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the LORD's")
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Size of His Army")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 7:4 offers a timeless lesson for believers navigating life's challenges and pursuing God's purposes. In a world that often values size, strength, and impressive numbers, this verse reminds us that God's economy operates differently. We are frequently tempted to rely on our own resources, intellect, or perceived capabilities, or to feel inadequate when our resources seem insufficient. However, God intentionally orchestrates situations where our human limitations are exposed, not to discourage us, but to create space for His power to be undeniably demonstrated. This passage calls us to surrender our preconceived notions of what is "enough" and to embrace God's often counter-intuitive strategies. It challenges us to trust that God can accomplish mighty things through a consecrated few, through seemingly weak means, or through processes that refine our character and deepen our dependence on Him. Our role is not to amass strength, but to be available for God's testing, to obey His specific instructions, and to recognize that true victory comes from His hand alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life or ministry am I tempted to rely on my own "many" resources rather than God's power?**
* **How do I respond when God's plan seems illogical or requires a reduction of what I consider essential?**
* **What might God be "testing" or "refining" in me to prepare me for His specific purposes?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper dependence on God, even when the odds seem overwhelmingly against me?**

### FAQ

**Why did God keep reducing the army, even after the fearful ones left?**

Answer: God's primary reason for continually reducing Gideon's army, as explicitly stated in [Judges 7:2](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2 - Lest Israel Boast"), was to prevent Israel from boasting that they had saved themselves by their own strength. If 32,000, or even 10,000, men had defeated the vast Midianite army, Israel might have attributed the victory to their military prowess or numbers. By reducing the force to a mere 300, God ensured that the victory would be undeniably miraculous and solely attributable to His divine power, magnifying His glory and teaching His people complete dependence on Him. It was a theological lesson in divine sovereignty and human humility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 7:4, with its emphasis on God's deliberate choice of the few and the weak to accomplish His purposes, powerfully foreshadows the work of Christ and the nature of His kingdom. Just as God chose a small, seemingly inadequate army to defeat a mighty foe, so too did God choose the "weakness" of the cross and the "foolishness" of the gospel to conquer sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([1 Corinthians 1:23-25](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23-25 - The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men")). Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, came not with legions of angels but as a humble servant, relying entirely on the Father's will ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). His ministry began with a small band of twelve disciples, not a vast movement, demonstrating that God builds His kingdom not through human might or worldly influence, but through the Spirit's power working through humble, obedient, and often seemingly insignificant instruments ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to be Witnesses")). The church, as Christ's body, continues this pattern, called to rely on God's strength for spiritual warfare, knowing that "my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness")). The victory is always the LORD's, secured by the Lamb who was slain, ensuring all glory belongs to Him alone ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")).

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

Psalms 33:16

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Job 23:10

But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Malachi 3:2

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Malachi 3:3

And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

1 Samuel 14:6

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

Genesis 22:1

¶ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am].