Judges 7:9

ยถ And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.

And it came to pass the same night {H3915}, that the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto him, Arise {H6965}, get thee down {H3381} unto the host {H4264}; for I have delivered {H5414} it into thine hand {H3027}.

That night ADONAI said to him, "Get up and attack the camp, because I have handed it over to you.

That night the LORD said to Gideon, โ€œGet up and go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.

And it came to pass the same night, that Jehovah said unto him, Arise, get thee down into the camp; for I have delivered it into thy hand.

Commentary

Judges 7:9 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Gideon and his significantly reduced army. After God had dramatically cut down Gideon's forces from 32,000 to a mere 300 men, this verse records the LORD's direct command and powerful assurance given to Gideon on the very night before the battle against the vast Midianite host.

Context

The book of Judges details a cycle of Israel's disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through divinely appointed "judges." Gideon was chosen by God to deliver Israel from the oppressive Midianites. Earlier in chapter 7, God systematically reduced Gideon's army, first by allowing the fearful to leave (Judges 7:3), and then by a unique test involving how the remaining men drank water (Judges 7:7). This radical reduction was to ensure that the victory would be clearly attributed to God's power, not human strength or numbers. Verse 9 serves as God's final, direct encouragement and empowerment to Gideon, dispelling any lingering doubt before the immediate confrontation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Assurance and Certainty: The LORD's declaration, "I have delivered it into thine hand," is a powerful statement of accomplished fact, even before the battle begins. This underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His promises. It's a prophetic declaration that removes all doubt about the outcome.
  • Overcoming Fear and Calling to Action: Gideon had previously shown signs of apprehension, requesting signs from God (Judges 6:17, Judges 6:36-40). Here, God directly commands him to "Arise, get thee down," a call to decisive action despite the overwhelming odds. This command is paired with divine assurance, equipping Gideon to move forward in faith.
  • God's Power Through Weakness: The entire narrative of Judges 7 highlights that victory belongs to the LORD, not to human might. By using a mere 300 men against an innumerable army, God demonstrates that His power is perfected in weakness, ensuring His glory is magnified. This theme is echoed in other biblical accounts of God's people facing impossible odds, like David against Goliath (1 Samuel 17:47).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I have delivered it into thine hand" uses the Hebrew verb ื ึธืชึทืŸ (natan), meaning "to give" or "to deliver." Significantly, it is in the perfect tense. This grammatical choice indicates a completed action from God's perspective. Although the battle had not yet occurred, God speaks of the victory as if it has already happened, emphasizing the absolute certainty and immutability of His divine plan and promise. This certainty was crucial for Gideon's faith and courage.

Practical Application

Judges 7:9 offers profound encouragement for believers today. When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, whether personal, spiritual, or professional, this verse reminds us that God's perspective is one of ultimate victory. His promises are sure, and He often calls us to move forward in faith even when our resources seem inadequate. Just as Gideon was empowered by God's declaration, we too can find courage in the knowledge that when God commands, He also provides the means and assures the outcome. It teaches us to rely on God's strength and strategy rather than our own limited capabilities, trusting that He has already "delivered it into our hand" from His eternal vantage point.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Acts 18:9

    Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

  • Acts 18:10

    For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

  • Genesis 46:2

    And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here [am] I.

  • Genesis 46:3

    And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

  • Joshua 2:24

    And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:8

    Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
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