Judges 7:22
And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֮
blew
H8628
וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֮
blew
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
1 of 24
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
שְׁלֹשׁ
And the three
H7969
שְׁלֹשׁ
And the three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
2 of 24
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
הַשּֽׁוֹפָרוֹת֒
the trumpets
H7782
הַשּֽׁוֹפָרוֹת֒
the trumpets
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
4 of 24
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
וַיָּ֣שֶׂם
set
H7760
וַיָּ֣שֶׂם
set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
5 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
יְהוָ֗ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֶ֥רֶב
sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
8 of 24
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
אִ֛ישׁ
every man's
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
every man's
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 24
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה
and the host
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה
and the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
12 of 24
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וַיָּ֨נָס
fled
H5127
וַיָּ֨נָס
fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
13 of 24
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה
and the host
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה
and the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
14 of 24
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עַ֛ד
H5704
עַ֛ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שְׂפַת
and to the border
H8193
שְׂפַת
and to the border
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
20 of 24
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Cross References
1 Kings 4:12Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:Joshua 6:20So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.1 Kings 19:16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.2 Chronicles 20:23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.Isaiah 19:2And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.Isaiah 9:4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.Psalms 83:9Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:Joshua 6:4And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.Joshua 6:16And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
Historical Context
The flight route moved from the Jezreel Valley (Israel's heartland) eastward toward the Jordan River crossings. Beth-shittah and Zererath were likely in the Jordan Valley, Abel-meholah (Elisha's hometown, 1 Kings 19:16) was east of the Jordan, and Tabbath was in Gilead. The retreating force was heading back to Midianite and Amalekite territories east and south of the Dead Sea. The distance covered (30-40 miles) in panicked flight indicates the rout's thoroughness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God causing the enemy to fight each other demonstrate His sovereignty over the spiritual forces arrayed against believers?
- What does this victory with minimal Israelite casualties teach about God's ability to protect His people while defeating their enemies?
- How should remembering God's past victories encourage confidence when facing present spiritual battles?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
While the 300 continued blowing trumpets, 'the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host.' God induced the Midianites to attack each other in the darkness and confusion—friendly fire on massive scale. The fleeing remnant headed east toward their homelands: 'unto Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.' These place names trace the retreat route from the Jezreel Valley back across the Jordan. The phrase 'the LORD set' emphasizes divine agency—this wasn't merely natural panic but supernatural confusion.