Judges 7:1
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם
that were with him rose up early
H7925
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם
that were with him rose up early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
1 of 20
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָם֙
and all the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
and all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּ֔וֹ
H854
אִתּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ
and pitched
H2583
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ
and pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּמַֽחֲנֵ֤ה
so that the host
H4264
וּמַֽחֲנֵ֤ה
so that the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
13 of 20
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
מִדְיָן֙
of the Midianites
H4080
מִדְיָן֙
of the Midianites
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
14 of 20
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
הָֽיָה
H1961
הָֽיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִצָּפ֔וֹן
were on the north side
H6828
מִצָּפ֔וֹן
were on the north side
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
Cross References
Judges 6:32Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.Genesis 12:6And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Historical Context
The spring of Harod (modern Ain Jalud) flows at the foot of Mount Gilboa in the Jezreel Valley. The hill of Moreh rises prominently north of the valley, providing the Midianite coalition a defensible position. This same valley saw Saul's final battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 28-31). The site's strategic importance—controlling east-west and north-south trade routes—made it perpetually contested territory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Gideon's name change to Jerubbaal demonstrate God's power to transform identity through faithful obedience?
- What does the army's positioning—Israel above, enemies below—symbolize about spiritual warfare from position of strength in Christ?
- Why does Scripture emphasize geographical details rather than just recording the battle outcome?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jerubbaal (Gideon) and his army camp at the spring of Harod, while the Midianites camp in the valley north of them by the hill of Moreh. The geographical positioning is strategic—Israel holds high ground near a water source while the enemy masses in the valley below. The name Harod (charod, חֲרֹד) derives from charad (חָרַד, 'to tremble'), foreshadowing verse 3's test. That Gideon is now called Jerubbaal emphasizes his transformation from fearful thresher to bold reformer. The contrast in army sizes (32,000 Israelites vs. 135,000 enemy per 8:10) sets up God's miraculous reduction strategy.