Judges 7:24
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.
Original Language Analysis
וּמַלְאָכִ֡ים
messengers
H4397
וּמַלְאָכִ֡ים
messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
1 of 31
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
שָׁלַ֣ח
sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֣ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
2 of 31
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֨ר
throughout all mount
H2022
הַ֨ר
throughout all mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
5 of 31
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
6 of 31
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
רְד֞וּ
Come down
H3381
רְד֞וּ
Come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 31
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
לִקְרַ֤את
against
H7125
לִקְרַ֤את
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
9 of 31
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
מִדְיָן֙
the Midianites
H4080
מִדְיָן֙
the Midianites
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
10 of 31
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּ
and take
H3920
וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּ
and take
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
11 of 31
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּ֔יִם
before them the waters
H4325
הַמַּ֔יִם
before them the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
14 of 31
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עַ֛ד
H5704
עַ֛ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 31
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיִּצָּעֵ֞ק
gathered themselves together
H6817
וַיִּצָּעֵ֞ק
gathered themselves together
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
20 of 31
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֤ישׁ
Then all the men
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
Then all the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
22 of 31
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)
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
23 of 31
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּ
and take
H3920
וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּ
and take
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
24 of 31
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּ֔יִם
before them the waters
H4325
הַמַּ֔יִם
before them the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
26 of 31
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עַ֛ד
H5704
עַ֛ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
27 of 31
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
Controlling Jordan River fords was strategically crucial—limited crossing points made interception of fleeing forces feasible. Beth-barah's exact location is uncertain, but it was likely a ford in Ephraim's territory. The Midianite princes' names (Raven and Wolf) were probably titles or epithets rather than birth names, reflecting their predatory raiding nature. Bringing severed heads as proof of victory was common in ancient Near Eastern warfare—Judith with Holofernes' head, David with Goliath's head, Jehu presenting Ahab's sons' heads.
Questions for Reflection
- How does seizing the fords demonstrate the importance of cutting off enemy retreat in spiritual warfare, not just initial victory?
- What does Ephraim's willing participation when called by Gideon reveal about the importance of unified tribal action?
- How do the names Oreb and Zeeb symbolize the predatory nature of Israel's spiritual enemies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gideon sends messengers throughout Ephraim's hill country, calling them to seize the Jordan River fords and cut off Midianite retreat. The strategic instruction: 'Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.' Ephraim responds, seizing the water crossing points and capturing two Midianite princes, Oreb ('raven') and Zeeb ('wolf'). Their execution at the rock of Oreb and winepress of Zeeb created memorial sites. Ephraim then brings the princes' heads to Gideon 'on the other side Jordan,' confirming the pursuit crossed the river.