Judges 7:23
And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּצָּעֵ֧ק
gathered themselves together
H6817
וַיִּצָּעֵ֧ק
gathered themselves together
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
1 of 12
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
אִֽישׁ
And the men
H376
אִֽישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 12
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)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִנַּפְתָּלִ֥י
out of Naphtali
H5321
מִנַּפְתָּלִ֥י
out of Naphtali
Strong's:
H5321
Word #:
4 of 12
naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אָשֵׁ֖ר
and out of Asher
H836
אָשֵׁ֖ר
and out of Asher
Strong's:
H836
Word #:
6 of 12
asher, a son of jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in palestine
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה
and out of all Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה
and out of all Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
9 of 12
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ
and pursued
H7291
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ
and pursued
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
10 of 12
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
Historical Context
Pursuing routed enemies was essential in ancient warfare—allowing enemy forces to escape intact meant they could regroup and return. Complete victory required destroying the fleeing army and capturing or killing its leaders. The gathering of additional Israelites shows the snowball effect of visible success—victory attracts followers. This parallels the period after David killed Goliath when 'all Israel and Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued' the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:52).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the joining of additional troops after the victory expose the difference between genuine faith and opportunistic followership?
- What does God's gracious permission for latecomers to participate teach about His mercy toward the weak and fearful?
- When have you been reluctant to join God's work until success was already visible?
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Analysis & Commentary
Following the initial rout, 'the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.' The previously dismissed soldiers (or other tribal members) now join the chase. This is human nature—willing to join victorious pursuit but not to risk dangerous initial assault. Yet God graciously allows their participation in completing the victory. The three tribes mentioned (Naphtali, Asher, Manasseh) were the northern tribes originally summoned (6:35), now pursuing the fleeing enemy eastward through their territories.