Judges 7:20
And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
Original Language Analysis
לִתְק֑וֹעַ
blew
H8628
לִתְק֑וֹעַ
blew
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
1 of 18
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת
And the three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת
And the three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
2 of 18
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
הָֽרָאשִׁ֥ים
companies
H7218
הָֽרָאשִׁ֥ים
companies
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 18
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הַשּֽׁוֹפָר֖וֹת
and the trumpets
H7782
הַשּֽׁוֹפָר֖וֹת
and the trumpets
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
4 of 18
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
הַכַּדִּים֒
the pitchers
H3537
הַכַּדִּים֒
the pitchers
Strong's:
H3537
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes
וַיַּֽחֲזִ֤יקוּ
and held
H2388
וַיַּֽחֲזִ֤יקוּ
and held
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
7 of 18
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וּבְיַ֨ד
hands
H3027
וּבְיַ֨ד
hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 18
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
שְׂמאוֹלָם֙
in their left
H8040
שְׂמאוֹלָם֙
in their left
Strong's:
H8040
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
וּבְיַ֨ד
hands
H3027
וּבְיַ֨ד
hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 18
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
יְמִינָ֔ם
in their right
H3225
יְמִינָ֔ם
in their right
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
12 of 18
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
הַשּֽׁוֹפָר֖וֹת
and the trumpets
H7782
הַשּֽׁוֹפָר֖וֹת
and the trumpets
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
13 of 18
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
לִתְק֑וֹעַ
blew
H8628
לִתְק֑וֹעַ
blew
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
14 of 18
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
וַֽיִּקְרְא֔וּ
withal and they cried
H7121
וַֽיִּקְרְא֔וּ
withal and they cried
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
15 of 18
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
חֶ֥רֶב
The sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
The sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
16 of 18
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Isaiah 27:13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.1 Corinthians 15:52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Historical Context
The coordinated action from three directions simultaneously convinced the Midianites they were surrounded by a massive force. Each of the 300 men with trumpet and torch suggested they were officers or unit leaders with troops behind them in the darkness. Simple multiplication—300 visible leaders might suggest 30,000 total troops (typical 1:100 officer:soldier ratio), far exceeding Israel's actual numbers. The strategy exploited the enemy's knowledge of their own vast numbers—they assumed any attacking force must be equally large to dare assault them.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the coordinated action of the 300 illustrate the power of unified obedience in the body of Christ?
- What does holding both lamp and trumpet teach about combining the light of truth with the proclamation of the gospel?
- How does this account demonstrate that God's strategies often appear foolish by worldly wisdom but prove effective?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All three companies executed the plan simultaneously: 'the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.' The coordination across separated units surrounding the camp demonstrated the discipline of Gideon's 300. Holding torches in left hands and trumpets in right was deliberate—torches provided the visual terror, trumpets the auditory assault, and the battle cry the psychological declaration of encirclement and divine judgment.