Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Judges Chapter 7
Overview
Jdg 7:1, Gideon's army of two and thirty thousand is brought to three hundred; Jdg 7:9, He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake; Jdg 7:16, His stratagem of trumpets and lamps in pitchers; Jdg 7:24, The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.
Jerubbaal: It appears that Jerubbaal had now become the surname of Gideon. He is mentioned by Sanchoniathon, quoted by Eusebius, who lived in the reign of Ithobal, king of Tyre, and consequently a little after the time of Gideon, by the name of Jerombalus, a priest of Jeuo or Jao. Jdg 6:32
rose up: Gen 22:3; Jos 3:1, Jos 6:12; Ecc 9:10
Moreh: Gen 12:6
too many: Sa1 14:6; Ch2 14:11; Zac 4:6, Zac 12:7; Co1 1:27-29, Co1 2:4, Co1 2:5; Co2 4:7; Co2 10:4, Co2 10:5
Israel: Deu 32:27; Isa 2:11, Isa 2:17; Jer 9:23; Rom 3:27, Rom 11:18; Co1 1:29; Eph 2:9; Jam 4:6
Mine own: Deu 8:17; Isa 10:13; Eze 28:2, Eze 28:17; Dan 4:30; Hab 1:16
Whosoever: Deu 20:8; Mat 13:21; Luk 14:25-33; Rev 17:14, Rev 21:8
mount Gilead: Gideon was certainly not at mount Gilead, east of Jordan at this time; but rather near mount Gilboa, west of Jordan. Calmet thinks there must either have been two Gileads, which does not appear from Scripture to have been the case, or that the Hebrew Text is corrupt, and that for Gilead we should read Gilboa. This reading, though adopted by Houbigant, is not confirmed by an manuscript or version. Dr. Hales endeavours to reconcile the whole, by the supposition that in Gideon's army there were many eastern Manassites from mount Gilead, near the Midianites; and therefore proposes to read, "Whosoever from mount Gilead is fearful and afraid, let him return (home) and depart early."
twenty: Mat 20:16
people: Psa 33:16
I will: Gen 22:1; Sa1 16:7; Job 23:10; Psa 7:9, Psa 66:10; Jer 6:27-30; Mal 3:2, Mal 3:3
lappeth: The original word yalok, is precisely the sound which the dog makes in lapping. It appears that it is not unusual for the Arabs to drink water out of the palms of their hands; and, from this account, we learn that the Israelites did so occasionally. Dr. A. Clarke, in his edition of Harmer, has presented us with the following curious manuscript note from Dr. Russell. "When they take water with the palms of their hands, they naturally place themselves on their hams, to be nearer the water; but when they drink from a pitcher or gourd, fresh filled, they do not sit down on purpose to drink, but drink standing, and very often put the sleeve of their shirt over the mouth of the vessel, by way of strainer, lest small leeches might have been taken up with the water. For the same reason they often prefer taking the water with the palm of the hand to lapping it from the surface." From the letters of Busbequius we learn, that the Eastern people are not in the habit of drinking standing. The 300 men, who satisfied their thirst in the most expeditious manner, by this sufficiently indicated their spirit, and alacrity to follow Gideon in his dangerous enterprise; while the rest shewed their love of ease, self-indulgence, effeminacy, and want of courage. Jdg 7:5
Jdg 7:18-22; Sa1 14:6; Isa 41:14-16
trumpets: Jdg 3:27; Lev 23:24, Lev 25:9; Num 10:9; Jos 6:4, Jos 6:20; Isa 27:13; Co1 15:52
in the valley: Jdg 6:33
the same: Gen 46:2, Gen 46:3; Job 4:13, Job 33:15, Job 33:16; Mat 1:20, Mat 2:13; Act 18:9, Act 18:10, Act 27:23
Arise: Jos 1:5-9; Isa 41:10-16, Isa 43:1, Isa 43:2
I have delivered: Jdg 3:10, Jdg 3:28, Jdg 4:14, Jdg 4:15; Ch2 16:8, Ch2 16:9, Ch2 20:17
thou shalt: Jdg 7:13-15; Gen 24:14; Sa1 14:8, Sa1 14:12
thine hands: Sa1 23:16; Ezr 6:22; Neh 6:9; Isa 35:3, Isa 35:4; Co2 12:9, Co2 12:10; Eph 3:16; Eph 6:10; Phi 4:13
armed men: or, ranks by five, Exo 13:18 *marg.
the Midianites: Jdg 6:3, Jdg 6:5, Jdg 6:33; Kg1 4:30
grasshoppers: Jdg 8:10; Ch2 14:9-12; Psa 3:1, Psa 33:16, Psa 118:10-12; Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10
a cake: Jdg 3:15, Jdg 3:31, Jdg 4:9, Jdg 4:21, Jdg 6:15; Isa 41:14, Isa 41:15; Co1 1:27
his fellow: Num 22:38, Num 23:5, Num 23:20, Num 24:10-13; Job 1:10
into his hand: Exo 15:14, Exo 15:15; Jos 2:9, Jos 2:24, Jos 5:1; Kg2 7:6, Kg2 7:7
interpretation thereof: Heb. breaking thereof, Gen 40:8, Gen 41:11
worshipped: Gen 24:26, Gen 24:27, Gen 24:48; Exo 4:30, Exo 4:31; Ch2 20:18, Ch2 20:19
Arise: Jdg 4:14; Co2 10:4-6
three companies: This small number of men, thus divided, would be able to encompass the whole camp of the Midianites. Concealing the lamps in the pitchers, they would pass unobserved to their appointed stations; then, in the dead of the night, when most of the enemy were fast asleep, all at once breaking their pitchers one against another, with as much noise as they could, and blowing the trumpets and shouting; they would occasion an exceedingly great alarm. The obedience of faith alone could have induced such an expedient, which no doubt God directed Gideon to employ. - Scott.
a trumpet: Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them
empty: Co2 4:7
lamps: or, fire-brands, or torches
Jdg 9:48; Mat 16:24; Co1 11:1; Heb 13:7; Pe1 5:3
blow ye: Jdg 7:20
the sword: The word cherev, "sword," necessarily implied, and rightly supplied by our venerable translators from Jdg 7:20, is found in this place, in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, and in eight manuscripts; and evidently appears to be genuine. Sa1 17:47; Ch2 20:15-17
in the beginning: Exo 14:24; Mat 25:6; Th1 5:2; Rev 16:15
they blew: Jdg 7:8
brake: Jdg 7:16; Psa 2:9; Jer 13:13, Jer 13:14, Jer 19:1-11
blew: How astonishing and overwhelming must the effect be, in a dark night, of the sudden glare of 300 torches, darting their splendour in the same instant on the half-awakened eyes of the terrified Midianites; accompanied with the clangor of 300 trumpets, alternately mingled with the thundering shout of cherav yehovah oolegidon, "The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon!" Num 10:1-10; Jos 6:4, Jos 6:16, Jos 6:20; Isa 27:13; Co1 15:52; Th1 4:16
brake: Co2 4:7; Heb 11:4; Pe2 1:15
stood: Exo 14:13, Exo 14:14; Ch2 20:17; Isa 30:7, Isa 30:15
all the host: Exo 14:25; Kg2 7:6, Kg2 7:7; Job 15:21, Job 15:22; Pro 28:1
blew: Jos 6:4, Jos 6:16, Jos 6:20; Co2 4:7
the Lord: Sa1 14:16-20; Ch2 20:23; Psa 83:9; Isa 9:4, Isa 19:2
in: or, toward
Zererath: Probably the same as Zartanah. Kg1 4:12
border: Heb. lip
Abelmeholah: Situated, according to Eusebius 16 miles south from Scythopolis, or Bethshan. Kg1 4:12, Kg1 19:16
Tabbath: Probably the town of Οηβης, mentioned by Eusebius, 13 miles from Neapolis, or Shechem, towards Scythopolis.
Jdg 6:35; Sa1 14:21, Sa1 14:22
sent: Jdg 3:27; Rom 15:30; Phi 1:27
take before: Jdg 3:28, Jdg 12:5
Bethbarah: Probably the same as Betha-bara, beyond Jordan, and at the ford where the Hebrews passed under the direction of Joshua. Joh 1:28
two princes: Jdg 8:3; Psa 83:11, Psa 83:12
Oreb: Eusebius and Jerome speak of a small place called Araba, three miles west from Scythopolis, which is supposed by some to have had its name from Oreb.
and brought: Among ancient nations, the head of the conquered chief was usually brought to the conqueror. Thus Pompey's head was brought to Cesar, Cicero's head to Mark Anthony, and the heads of Ahab's children to Jehu. These barbarities are seldom practised now, except among the Mahommedans, or the savages of Africa and America; and for the credit of human nature, it is to be wished that such atrocities had never been committed.
on the other side: The words maiaiver lyyarden, may denote at the passage of Jordan, or from beyond Jordan. Gideon does not appear to have yet passed the Jordan. Jdg 8:4