Judges 7:8
So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֨ם
So the people
H5971
הָעָ֨ם
So the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּיָדָ֜ם
in their hand
H3027
בְּיָדָ֜ם
in their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 24
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְאֵ֣ת
H853
וְאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שׁוֹפְרֹֽתֵיהֶ֗ם
and their trumpets
H7782
שׁוֹפְרֹֽתֵיהֶ֗ם
and their trumpets
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
7 of 24
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
וְאֵ֨ת
H853
וְאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאִ֖ישׁ
all
H376
הָאִ֖ישׁ
all
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 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)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
the rest of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
the rest of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שִׁלַּח֙
and he sent
H7971
שִׁלַּח֙
and he sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
12 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
הָאִ֖ישׁ
all
H376
הָאִ֖ישׁ
all
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
13 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)
לְאֹֽהָלָ֔יו
unto his tent
H168
לְאֹֽהָלָ֔יו
unto his tent
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
14 of 24
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וּבִשְׁלֹשׁ
those three
H7969
וּבִשְׁלֹשׁ
those three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
15 of 24
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
הָאִ֖ישׁ
all
H376
הָאִ֖ישׁ
all
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
17 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)
הֶֽחֱזִ֑יק
and retained
H2388
הֶֽחֱזִ֑יק
and retained
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
18 of 24
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וּמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
and the host
H4264
וּמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
and the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
19 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
מִדְיָ֔ן
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָ֔ן
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
20 of 24
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
הָ֥יָה
H1961
הָ֥יָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
21 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
The trumpets (shopharot, שׁוֹפָרוֹת) were ram's horn instruments used for signaling in warfare, worship, and civil administration. In battle, trumpet sounds coordinated troop movements, signaled attacks, and created psychological effects. The excessive number of trumpets for only 300 men sets up the deception strategy—the noise would suggest a much larger force. Ancient armies camped in valleys for water access and pasture for animals but sacrificed defensive advantages of high ground.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision of abundant resources after reduction demonstrate His sufficiency for His called servants?
- What does retaining trumpets and provisions teach about God's strategic preparation before revealing His full plan?
- How should Christians balance prudent resource management with radical dependence on God's miraculous provision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
After the 9,700 are sent home to their tents, the 300 retain the people's provisions and trumpets. This logistical detail is strategically significant—the 300 now possess food supplies for the entire original army and 300 trumpets (or potentially 10,000 if all were collected). The abundance of supplies and trumpets will enable the psychological warfare strategy revealed in verses 16-22. The statement 'the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley' emphasizes the tactical situation—Israel holds high ground with all necessary resources while the enemy camps below.