Judges 7:11
And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֙
And thou shalt hear
H8085
וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֙
And thou shalt hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ
what they say
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ
what they say
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְאַחַר֙
and afterward
H310
וְאַחַר֙
and afterward
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
תֶּֽחֱזַ֣קְנָה
be strengthened
H2388
תֶּֽחֱזַ֣קְנָה
be strengthened
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
5 of 17
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
יָדֶ֔יךָ
shall thine hands
H3027
יָדֶ֔יךָ
shall thine hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
6 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
Then went he down
H3381
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
Then went he down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
7 of 17
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
that were in the host
H4264
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
that were in the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
8 of 17
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
Then went he down
H3381
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
Then went he down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
9 of 17
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 17
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
נַֽעֲר֔וֹ
his servant
H5288
נַֽעֲר֔וֹ
his servant
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
12 of 17
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
Cross References
Ephesians 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Exodus 13:18But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.Genesis 24:14And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.1 Samuel 23:16And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.Ezra 6:22And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Historical Context
Military camps in the ancient Near East arranged forces with elite troops or guards on the perimeter for security. The 'armed men' were likely the professional warriors or best-equipped soldiers rather than the general mass of raiders. Camp perimeters posted watches through the night in shifts, with guards responsible for detecting approaching enemies. That Gideon could approach close enough to overhear conversation suggests either inadequate security or divine blinding of the guards.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Gideon's obedience despite fear demonstrate that courage isn't absence of fear but action despite it?
- What does approaching the enemy's strongest position teach about confronting spiritual battles at their source rather than peripherally?
- How does having a faithful companion (Phurah) parallel the principle of going two-by-two in ministry (Luke 10:1, Mark 6:7)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gideon and Phurah descend to the 'armed men that were in the host'—literally the 'extremity of the armed men' (qetseh hachamushim, קְצֵה הַחֲמֻשִׁים), suggesting they approached the outer perimeter where guards were posted. This was the most dangerous position—nearest to sentries and fighting men. Their willingness to approach this close demonstrates growing courage despite fear. The positioning sets up the providentially-timed dream conversation they're about to overhear.