Judges 8:11

And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

And Gideon {H1439} went up {H5927} by the way {H1870} of them that dwelt {H7931} in tents {H168} on the east {H6924} of Nobah {H5025} and Jogbehah {H3011}, and smote {H5221} the host {H4264}: for the host {H4264} was secure {H983}.

Gid'on went up, using the route of the nomads east of Novach and Yogbehah, and struck down the army when they thought they were safe.

And Gideon went up by way of the caravan route east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and he attacked their army, taking them by surprise.

And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure.

Commentary

Judges 8:11 describes a pivotal moment in Gideon's campaign against the Midianites, highlighting his strategic brilliance and the enemy's fatal complacency. After routing the main Midianite army with only 300 men, Gideon relentlessly pursued the two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, who had escaped with a remnant of their forces.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse occurs immediately after Gideon's miraculous victory detailed in Judges chapter 7, where the Lord delivered Israel from the oppressive Midianites. Despite the exhaustion of his 300 men, Gideon was determined to complete the mission by capturing the Midianite kings. The phrase "went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah" indicates a strategic, less-expected route through nomadic territory in Transjordan, designed to surprise the fleeing kings and their remaining forces. These were regions typically inhabited by tent-dwelling tribes, including the Midianites themselves.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Relentless Pursuit of God's Will: Gideon's unwavering determination to finish the task, even when weary, exemplifies perseverance in faith. He did not stop after the initial victory but pressed on to eliminate the source of Israel's oppression.
  • The Danger of Complacency: The core insight of this verse is that "the host was secure." The Hebrew word for secure, betach, implies a sense of safety, confidence, or being unwary. The Midianites, having escaped the initial rout, felt safe in their retreat, not expecting Gideon to pursue them so deeply. This false sense of security made them vulnerable to a decisive surprise attack, leading to their downfall.
  • Divine Strategy and Human Diligence: While God had already given the victory, Gideon's actions demonstrate the human responsibility to act diligently and strategically in alignment with God's plan. His chosen route was a clever military maneuver to catch the enemy off guard.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase "the host was secure" hinges on the Hebrew word betach (Χ‘ΦΆΦΌΧ˜Φ·Χ—), which can mean "safety," "confidence," or "trust." In this context, it highlights their overconfidence and lack of vigilance. It's a powerful reminder that misplaced confidence, especially when it leads to spiritual or practical negligence, can be extremely dangerous. This contrasts with the positive use of betach to describe a person who trusts in the Lord.

Practical Application

Gideon's example encourages believers to exhibit spiritual persistence, not resting on past victories but continuing to press forward in faith. The Midianites' complacency serves as a potent warning: we must remain vigilant against spiritual attacks and not allow a false sense of security to lead to carelessness. Just as Paul exhorts believers to put on the full armor of God and stand firm, we are called to be alert and prepared, recognizing that our adversary seeks to devour those who are unwary (1 Peter 5:8).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 32:35

    And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,

  • Numbers 32:42

    And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

  • Judges 18:27

    ΒΆ And they took [the things] which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people [that were] at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

  • 1 Samuel 30:16

    And when he had brought him down, behold, [they were] spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

  • 1 Samuel 15:32

    ΒΆ Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.