Judges 7:20
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Judges 7:20
20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
Chapter Context
Judges 7 is a cyclical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, prayer, truth. Written during the pre-monarchic period (c. 1375-1050 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Without central leadership, Israel faced constant threats from surrounding peoples like the Philistines and Midianites.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Judges and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Judges 7:20
20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
Analysis
All three companies executed the plan simultaneously: 'the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.' The coordination across separated units surrounding the camp demonstrated the discipline of Gideon's 300. Holding torches in left hands and trumpets in right was deliberate—torches provided the visual terror, trumpets the auditory assault, and the battle cry the psychological declaration of encirclement and divine judgment.
Historical Context
The coordinated action from three directions simultaneously convinced the Midianites they were surrounded by a massive force. Each of the 300 men with trumpet and torch suggested they were officers or unit leaders with troops behind them in the darkness. Simple multiplication—300 visible leaders might suggest 30,000 total troops (typical 1:100 officer:soldier ratio), far exceeding Israel's actual numbers. The strategy exploited the enemy's knowledge of their own vast numbers—they assumed any attacking force must be equally large to dare assault them.
Reflection
- How does the coordinated action of the 300 illustrate the power of unified obedience in the body of Christ?
- What does holding both lamp and trumpet teach about combining the light of truth with the proclamation of the gospel?
- How does this account demonstrate that God's strategies often appear foolish by worldly wisdom but prove effective?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- References Lord: Isaiah 27:13
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 15:52, 2 Corinthians 4:7