Judges 7:14

And his fellow answered and said, This [is] nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: [for] into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.

And his fellow {H7453} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, This is nothing else save the sword {H2719} of Gideon {H1439} the son {H1121} of Joash {H3101}, a man {H376} of Israel {H3478}: for into his hand {H3027} hath God {H430} delivered {H5414} Midian {H4080}, and all the host {H4264}.

His comrade answered, "This can only be the sword of Gid'on son of Yo'ash, a man of Isra'el. God has given Midyan and all its army into his hands."

His friend replied: โ€œThis is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has delivered Midian and the whole camp into his hand.โ€

And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: into his hand God hath delivered Midian, and all the host.

Commentary

Judges 7:14 records a pivotal moment of divine confirmation for Gideon, just before his miraculous victory over the Midianites. This verse captures the interpretation of a dream by one Midianite soldier to another, unknowingly revealing God's plan to Gideon, who was secretly listening.

Context

This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of Gideon. God had drastically reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men, ensuring that the victory would clearly be attributed to divine power, not human strength. Before the battle, God gave Gideon a specific instruction to go down to the Midianite camp to gain assurance. Here, Gideon overhears a soldier recounting a dream about a barley cake rolling into the Midianite camp and overturning a tent. The fellow soldier's interpretation, found in this verse, is a powerful and unsolicited prophecy from the enemy's own ranks, declaring that God had indeed delivered Midian into Gideon's hand.

Key Themes

  • Divine Confirmation: God uses the enemy's own lips to confirm His will and strengthen Gideon's faith. This serves as a powerful sign that the Lord was truly with Gideon, despite the overwhelming odds.
  • God's Sovereignty: The declaration, "into his hand hath God delivered Midian," emphasizes that the impending victory is not due to Gideon's military prowess or the strength of his small army, but solely to God's sovereign power. This aligns with God's earlier intention to prevent Israel from boasting in their own might (Judges 7:2).
  • Weakness and Strength: The dream's symbol, a "barley cake," was a humble, common food, contrasting sharply with the vast, imposing Midianite army. This symbolizes how God uses the seemingly weak or insignificant (like Gideon and his 300) to defeat the mighty, illustrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness.
  • Psychological Warfare: This overheard conversation profoundly impacts Gideon, bolstering his courage and preparing him to lead a seemingly impossible mission. It also suggests a sense of dread or foreboding already present within the Midianite camp, further undermining their morale.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the sword of Gideon" is not to be taken literally as a physical weapon. Instead, it is a metaphorical expression for the power and authority that God has given to Gideon for this specific task. The Hebrew word for "delivered" (ื ึธืชึทืŸ - nathan) means "to give" or "to place into the hand," strongly conveying the divine action of handing over the victory to Gideon.

Practical Application

Judges 7:14 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  1. When facing overwhelming challenges, God can provide unexpected signs and confirmations of His presence and plan.
  2. Our victories are ultimately God's work, not merely the result of our own efforts or strength. This encourages humility and reliance on Him.
  3. God can use even the words of our adversaries to strengthen our faith and confirm His purposes.
  4. No situation is too dire for God to intervene and bring about His will, often through unconventional means or seemingly weak instruments. Trust in God's sovereignty, especially when circumstances seem impossible.
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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

  • Joshua 2:9 (3 votes)

    And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

  • Numbers 24:10 (2 votes)

    ยถ And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times.

  • Numbers 24:13 (2 votes)

    If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do [either] good or bad of mine own mind; [but] what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

  • Job 1:10 (2 votes)

    Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

  • Joshua 2:24 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Numbers 23:20 (2 votes)

    Behold, I have received [commandment] to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

  • Numbers 22:38 (2 votes)

    And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.