Judges 7:4
And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 35
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עוֹד֮
H5750
עוֹד֮
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
5 of 35
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
הָעָ֣ם
The people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
The people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 35
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רָב֒
are yet too many
H7227
רָב֒
are yet too many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
7 of 35
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
הוֹרֵ֤ד
bring them down
H3381
הוֹרֵ֤ד
bring them down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 35
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
אוֹתָם֙
H853
אוֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּ֔יִם
unto the water
H4325
הַמַּ֔יִם
unto the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
11 of 35
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ
and I will try
H6884
וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ
and I will try
Strong's:
H6884
Word #:
12 of 35
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
וְהָיָ֡ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֡ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 35
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 35
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
זֶ֣ה׀
H2088
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
20 of 35
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אִתָּ֗ךְ
H854
אִתָּ֗ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
21 of 35
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
ה֚וּא
H1931
ה֚וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
22 of 35
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
23 of 35
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אִתָּ֔ךְ
H854
אִתָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
24 of 35
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְכֹ֨ל
H3605
וְכֹ֨ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 35
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
26 of 35
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
30 of 35
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
31 of 35
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִמָּ֔ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
32 of 35
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
ה֖וּא
H1931
ה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
33 of 35
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Psalms 33:16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.Job 23:10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.1 Samuel 14:6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare often saw smaller, better-disciplined forces defeat larger armies—Greek hoplites at Marathon, Roman legions consistently. A core of 10,000 motivated Israelite warriors familiar with hill country terrain could reasonably hope to defeat the larger but less cohesive Midianite coalition through guerrilla tactics, night raids, and defensive positioning. God eliminates this possibility by further reduction.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God deliberately remove Israel's ability to claim credit for victory?
- How does God's strategy of reduction challenge modern church emphasis on numerical growth and resource accumulation?
- What 'too many' resources or abilities in your life might God need to reduce for His power to be clearly displayed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Despite losing 68% of troops, God says the army is still too large: 'The people are yet too many.' This shocking statement reveals God's purpose—demonstrating His power, not Israel's. Ten thousand faithful warriors could plausibly defeat 135,000 through superior strategy or morale, allowing Israel to claim credit. God wants the victory so obviously miraculous that only divine intervention explains it. This principle pervades Scripture: God reduces human resources to magnify divine power (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). The command to bring them to the water introduces the second test.