Judges 7:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars.

NIV: Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

NASB: And he divided the three hundred men into three units, and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers.

CSB: Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each of the men a ram's horn in one hand and an empty pitcher with a torch inside it in the other hand.

NLT: He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it.

KJV: And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.

NKJV: Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers.

Gideon and his 300 men (Judges 7:2–9) are preparing to attack the massive Midianite horde (Judges 6:1–5; 8:10) in their camp below. Whether this strategy was directly given by God, or merely inspired by Him, the Bible does not say. The plan comes from Gideon, and Gideon is the one who administers it.

He divides the task force into three groups of one hundred men. He gives each man a trumpet and a clay jar or pitcher with a torch inside of it. The trumpet would have been a ram's horn or shofar. The shofar is still blown today in various Jewish religious services. The torch would likely have been made of reeds or something similar; these would have given off little light until exposed. Gideon gives specific instructions for what to do with these items in the following verses.

Judges 7:1–18 begins with Gideon and his large company of Israelite volunteers setting up camp in the hills just a few miles from the Midianite camp in the valley below. God gives Gideon two tests to reduce the number of his troops until only 300 are left. God tells Gideon to spy on the Midianite camp, where he overhears a conversation which bolsters his faith. Gideon returns to his camp and prepares for the attack that night. He gives his men torches concealed in clay jars, as well as trumpets.

Gideon and his 32,000–man army of volunteer Israelites camp in the hills above the Midianite invaders in the valley. The Lord tells Gideon to reduce his troops until only 300 remain. God allows Gideon to overhear the interpretation of a Midianite dream, an event that strengthens his faith. Gideon and his 300 men take positions around the Midianite camp and blow trumpets, hold up torches, and shout battle cries. Those in the camp panic and begin attacking each other. The survivors flee toward the Jordan but are eventually cut off.

Despite a miraculous calling from God, and success in his first actions, Gideon still expressed doubt (Judges 6). After seeing two custom-requested miracles, Gideon prepares to attack the Midianite invaders. He winnows his army down to only 300 men and overhears an encouraging conversation. Gideon and his men surprise the enemy after nightfall with trumpets and torches, sparking a panic. This begins a rout of the enemy. In the next chapter, Gideon succeeds further despite stubbornness from his own people (Judges 8).

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).

Accessed 5/3/2024 8:31:40 AM