Judges 7:9
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
And it came to pass the same night
H3915
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
And it came to pass the same night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 12
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
יְהוָ֔ה
that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ק֖וּם
unto him Arise
H6965
ק֖וּם
unto him Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
7 of 12
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
רֵ֣ד
get thee down
H3381
רֵ֣ד
get thee down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 12
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
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
unto the host
H4264
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
unto the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
9 of 12
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Night attacks were relatively rare in ancient warfare due to coordination difficulties without modern communications. Armies typically rested at night, posting limited guards but maintaining reduced alertness. Attacking at night risked friendly-fire casualties and disorganization but offered surprise advantages if properly executed. The Midianite coalition's massive size and camp complexity made nighttime coordination difficult, rendering them vulnerable to panic.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's declaration that He has already delivered the enemy encourage faith in His promises?
- What does God's command to 'arise' and 'go down' teach about faith requiring obedient action, not passive waiting?
- When has God's timing for action seemed counterintuitive but proved perfectly strategic?
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Analysis & Commentary
That same night, God commands Gideon to attack the enemy camp: 'Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.' The present perfect 'I have delivered' (netativ, נְתַתִּיו) declares the victory already accomplished in divine decree, though not yet in human experience. This is God's first direct promise of victory—previous confirmations answered Gideon's requests, but now God takes initiative to command action. The night timing proves strategic—darkness will amplify the psychological terror of the attack strategy.