Judges 7:3
Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
קְרָ֨א
proclaim
H7121
קְרָ֨א
proclaim
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 22
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
נָ֜א
Now therefore go to
H4994
נָ֜א
Now therefore go to
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 22
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
בְּאָזְנֵ֤י
in the ears
H241
בְּאָזְנֵ֤י
in the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
4 of 22
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
הָעָ֗ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֗ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
7 of 22
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
And there returned
H7725
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
And there returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
10 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵהַ֣ר
from mount
H2022
מֵהַ֣ר
from mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
12 of 22
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הַגִּלְעָ֑ד
Gilead
H1568
הַגִּלְעָ֑ד
Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
13 of 22
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
And there returned
H7725
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
And there returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
14 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעָ֗ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֗ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
16 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
19 of 22
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וַֽעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
ten
H6235
וַֽעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
20 of 22
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 20:8And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.Revelation 17:14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Historical Context
Ancient warfare required not just numerical superiority but morale and cohesion. Fearful soldiers could trigger panic and rout in pre-modern armies lacking disciplined formations. Moses' law recognized this psychology, permitting fearful men to leave before battle. That 22,000 chose to depart despite the Midianite threat shows the depth of their terror—presumably these men saw the overwhelming enemy numbers and lost courage.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's dismissal of the fearful demonstrate His priority on faith over mere numbers?
- What modern Christian service accepts 'volunteers' who lack genuine commitment, weakening effectiveness?
- Why is honest self-assessment and voluntary withdrawal from service sometimes more honoring to God than reluctant participation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God commands Gideon to dismiss anyone who is 'fearful and afraid' (yare vechared, יָרֵא וְחָרֵד). This echoes Deuteronomy 20:8's provision allowing fearful soldiers to return home lest they discourage others. The result: 22,000 depart, leaving only 10,000. This massive reduction (68% loss) demonstrates that many who initially responded lacked genuine faith for combat. The Hebrew yashuv (יָשׁוּב, 'return') suggests they went back to normal life rather than forward to battle. God doesn't want reluctant warriors whose fear spreads defeatism.