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And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. <a href="/nkjv/judges/7.htm">New King James Version</a> Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.’ ” And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained. <a href="/nasb_/judges/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and worried, is to return and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand from the people returned, but ten thousand remained. <a href="/nasb/judges/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, &#8216Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.&#8217&#8221 So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained. <a href="/nasb77/judges/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.’” So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained. <a href="/lsb/judges/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So now, come, call out in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.’” So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained. <a href="/amp/judges/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So now, proclaim in the hearing of the people, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men returned [home], but ten thousand remained. <a href="/csb/judges/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now announce to the troops, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand of the troops turned back, but ten thousand remained. <a href="/hcsb/judges/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now announce in the presence of the people: &#8216Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.&#8217&#8221 So 22,000 of the people turned back, but 10,000 remained. <a href="/asv/judges/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. <a href="/cev/judges/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So call your troops together and tell them that anyone who is really afraid can leave Mount Gilead and go home." Twenty-two thousand men returned home, leaving Gideon with only 10,000 soldiers. <a href="/erv/judges/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. <a href="/gwt/judges/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Announce to the troops, 'Whoever is scared or frightened should leave Mount Gilead and go back home.' " So 22,000 men went back home, and 10,000 were left. <a href="/gnt/judges/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> Announce to the people, 'Anyone who is afraid should go back home, and we will stay here at Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand went back, but ten thousand stayed. <a href="/isv/judges/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> That's why you're to ask in full view of the soldiers, "Whoever is afraid or is trembling may go back from Mount Gilead and return home." So 22,000 soldiers left and 10,000 remained. <a href="/msb/judges/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ?Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.?? So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. <a href="/net/judges/7.htm">NET Bible</a> Now, announce to the men, 'Whoever is shaking with fear may turn around and leave Mount Gilead.'" Twenty-two thousand men went home; ten thousand remained. <a href="/nheb/judges/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.' There returned of the people twenty-two thousand; but ten thousand remained. <a href="/wbt/judges/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now therefore, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. <a href="/web/judges/7.htm">World English Bible</a> Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and now, please call in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever [is] afraid and trembling, let him turn back and go early from Mount Gilead”; and there return twenty-two thousand of the people, and ten thousand have been left. <a href="/ylt/judges/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and now, call, I pray thee, in the ears of the people, saying, Whoso is afraid and trembling, let him turn back and go early from mount Gilead;' and there turn back of the people twenty and two thousand, and ten thousand have been left. <a href="/slt/judges/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And now, call now in the ears of the people, saying, Who being afraid and trembling shall turn back and turn about from mount Gilead. And there will turn back from the people twenty and two thousand; and ten thousand were left.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Speak to the people, and proclaim in the hearing of all, Whosoever is fearful and timorous, let him return. So two and twenty thousand men went away from mount Galaad and returned home, and only ten thousand remained. <a href="/cpdv/judges/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Speak to the people, and proclaim in the hearing of all, ‘Whoever has dread or fear, let him return.’ And twenty-two thousand of the men from the people withdrew from Mount Gilead and returned, and only ten thousand remained. <a href="/nabre/judges/7.htm">New American Bible</a> So announce in the hearing of the soldiers, “If anyone is afraid or fearful, let him leave! Let him depart from Mount Gilead!” Twenty-two thousand of the soldiers left, but ten thousand remained. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now therefore proclaim this in the hearing of the troops, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home.’” Thus Gideon sifted them out; twenty-two thousand returned, and ten thousand remained.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him stay behind and return from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty-two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. <a href="/hpbt/judges/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Now call into the ears of the people and say, “Whoever is afraid and fainthearted shall stay by himself and he shall return from the Mountain of Gelad.” And twenty and two thousand of the people returned and ten thousand were left<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now therefore make proclamation in the ears of the people, saying: Whosoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.' And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. <a href="/sep/judges/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And now speak in the ears of the people, saying, Who is afraid and fearful? let him turn and depart from mount Galaad: and there returned of the people twenty-two thousand, and ten thousand were left. <a href="/parallel/judges/7-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=1938" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm">Gideon's Army of Three Hundred</a> …2Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many people for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3<a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">Now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">therefore,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qə·rā (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">proclaim</a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: bə·’ā·zə·nê (Prep-b:: N-fdc) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear.">in the hearing</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of the people:</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">‘Whoever</a> <a href="/hebrew/3373.htm" title="3373: yā·rê (Adj-ms) -- Fearing, reverent. From yare'; fearing; morally, reverent.">is fearful</a> <a href="/hebrew/2730.htm" title="2730: wə·ḥā·rêḏ (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Fearful, reverential. From charad; fearful; also reverential.">and trembling</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šōḇ (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">may turn back</a> <a href="/hebrew/6852.htm" title="6852: wə·yiṣ·pōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3ms) -- Perhaps to depart. A primitive root; to skip about, i.e. Return.">and leave</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: mê·har (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">Mount</a> <a href="/hebrew/1568.htm" title="1568: hag·gil·‘āḏ (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably from Gal'ed; Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites.">Gilead.’”</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">So twenty-two</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·na·yim (Conj-w:: Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of them</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">turned back,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: wa·‘ă·śe·reṯ (Conj-w:: Number-msc) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">but ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ă·lā·p̄îm (Number-mp) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/7604.htm" title="7604: niš·’ā·rū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To remain, be left over. A primitive root; properly, to swell up, i.e. Be redundant.">remained.</a> 4Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Deuteronomy 20:8</a> Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.” <a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6-7</a> Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” / His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” <a href="/1_samuel/17-32.htm">1 Samuel 17:32-33</a> And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him!” / But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” <a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">1 Samuel 17:45-47</a> But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” <a href="/2_chronicles/20-15.htm">2 Chronicles 20:15-17</a> And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. / Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. / You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’” <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a> Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. <a href="/isaiah/41-13.htm">Isaiah 41:13-14</a> For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you. / Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. <a href="/isaiah/51-12.htm">Isaiah 51:12</a> “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass? <a href="/jeremiah/1-8.htm">Jeremiah 1:8</a> Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. <a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a> So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/matthew/14-29.htm">Matthew 14:29-31</a> “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. / But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” / Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” <a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Matthew 17:20</a> “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” <a href="/mark/4-40.htm">Mark 4:40</a> “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” <a href="/luke/12-32.htm">Luke 12:32</a> Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. <a href="/john/14-27.htm">John 14:27</a> Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.whosoever<a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Deuteronomy 20:8</a> And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.<a href="/matthew/13-21.htm">Matthew 13:21</a> Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.<a href="/luke/14-25.htm">Luke 14:25-33</a> And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, … mount Gilead.<a href="/matthew/20-16.htm">Matthew 20:16</a> So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/6-27.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/judges/6-18.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Early</a> <a href="/joshua/20-4.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/judges/4-14.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/joshua/22-34.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-9.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/judges/6-27.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/5-8.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-65.htm">Trembling</a> <a href="/judges/4-3.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/joshua/19-30.htm">Twenty-Two</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/7-10.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/judges/11-37.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/judges/9-33.htm">Early</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/judges/7-24.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/judges/21-13.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-22.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/judges/8-30.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/8-10.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Trembling</a> <a href="/judges/8-10.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/judges/10-3.htm">Twenty-Two</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 7</div>1. <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand is brought to three hundred</a> 9. <a href="/judges/7-9.htm">He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake</a> 16. <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">His plan of trumpets and lamps in pitchers</a> 24. <a href="/judges/7-24.htm">The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: This command is given by God to Gideon, emphasizing the importance of divine instruction in leadership. The act of proclaiming in the hearing of the men signifies transparency and public accountability. It reflects the biblical principle that God often communicates His will through chosen leaders, as seen with Moses and Joshua.‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” This directive aligns with <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Deuteronomy 20:8</a>, where soldiers who are fearful are allowed to return home, ensuring that only the courageous remain. Fear can be contagious, and God desires a committed and faithful remnant. Mount Gilead, though not the exact location of the battle, symbolizes a place of decision and separation. This moment foreshadows the New Testament teaching of counting the cost of discipleship (<a href="/luke/14-25.htm">Luke 14:25-33</a>).So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, The large number of men who leave highlights human nature's tendency towards fear and self-preservation. It underscores the biblical theme that God often works through a faithful few rather than a multitude, as seen in the stories of Noah, Abraham, and the early church. This reduction in numbers sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power and glory through a smaller, more dedicated group.but ten thousand remained. The remaining ten thousand represent a remnant, a recurring theme in Scripture where God preserves a faithful group to accomplish His purposes. This remnant is reminiscent of the faithful few in Israel's history, such as the 7,000 who did not bow to Baal in Elijah's time (<a href="/1_kings/19-18.htm">1 Kings 19:18</a>). It also points to the concept of the "remnant" in eschatological prophecy, where a faithful group is preserved through trials.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a> The judge chosen by God to lead Israel against the Midianites. He is tasked with reducing the number of his army to ensure that the victory is attributed to God, not human strength. 2. <a href="/topical/m/mount_gilead.htm">Mount Gilead</a> The location where Gideon’s army was gathered. It serves as the setting for the initial reduction of troops. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who are oppressed by the Midianites. They are called to battle under Gideon’s leadership. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_midianites.htm">The Midianites</a> The oppressors of Israel during this period. They are numerous and powerful, posing a significant threat to the Israelites. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_reduction_of_troops.htm">The Reduction of Troops</a> An event where God instructs Gideon to reduce his army, starting with those who are fearful, to demonstrate that victory comes from God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God’s Sovereignty</a> God’s instructions to reduce the army highlight His control over the situation. Believers are reminded to trust in God’s plans, even when they defy human logic. <a href="/topical/c/courage_and_faith.htm">Courage and Faith</a> The call for the fearful to leave underscores the importance of courage and faith in God’s promises. Believers are encouraged to confront their fears with faith. <a href="/topical/g/god's_glory_in_weakness.htm">God’s Glory in Weakness</a> The reduction of troops ensures that the victory is attributed to God. This teaches that God often uses our weaknesses to display His strength and glory. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God’s Commands</a> Gideon’s obedience in following God’s seemingly illogical command is a model for believers to follow God’s guidance, even when it is difficult to understand. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> The remaining ten thousand soldiers represent a committed community. Believers are encouraged to surround themselves with those who are steadfast in faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 7</a> <a href="/q/where_is_mount_tabor_in_the_bible.htm">Where did Moses view the Promised Land before dying?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_cut_gideon's_army_to_300.htm">In Judges 7:2, why would God deliberately reduce Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300, defying common military sense? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'collective_salvation'_mean.htm">What does 'Collective Salvation' mean?</a> <a href="/q/summarize_gideon's_bible_story..htm">What is the summary of Gideon's story in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Whosoever is fearful and afraid.--This proclamation is in exact accordance with <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm" title="And the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return to his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.">Deuteronomy 20:8</a> (and the other general directions in that chapter). It is there founded on the psychological observation that cowardice is exceedingly contagious, so that the presence of timid men in an army is a source of direct danger. The same rule was rigidly observed by the faithful Judas Maccabaeus (<a href="//apocrypha.org/1_maccabees/3-56.htm" title="But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law.">1 Maccabees 3:56</a>). Epaminondas, for the same reason, made the same proclamation before the battle of Leuctra. In this instance there was the further reason given in the previous verse. "The ancients had observed that even when there are many legions it is always the few that win the battle" (Tac. Ann. xiv. 36).Depart early.--The Hebrew word tsaphar occurs here only. The Chaldee explains it by tsiphra, "in the morning;" and Abarband says that this injunction was given in order that they might not incur shame when they retired. The rendering "hastily" is explained to mean "like a bird" (tsippor). Keil, connecting it with an Arabic root, makes it mean "slink away by bye-paths." It seems to involve a shade of contempt--"Let him take himself off." (Trolle sich: Cassel.)From mount Gilead.--This expression has caused great difficulty, but the Hebrew cannot mean "to mount Gilead," nor yet "beyond mount Gilead." The only tenable solution of the difficulty is, (1) to alter the text into "mount Gilboa" (Clericus), or from meehar, "from mount," to maheer, "speedily" (Michaelis); or (2) to suppose that "mount Gilead" was a rallying-cry of the Manassites in general, for Gilead was a son of Abiezer (<a href="/numbers/26-30.htm" title="These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:">Numbers 26:30</a>, where Jeezer is merely an error); and hence was derived the name "Gilead" of the trans-Jordanic district which fell to the half-tribe of Manasseh (<a href="/context/joshua/17-5.htm" title="And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;">Joshua 17:5-6</a>). If this be a true conjecture, the phrase "let him depart from mount Gilead" means "let him leave the camp of Manasseh." One more conjecture is that Gilead is an ancient name for Gilboa (Schwarz).There returned of the people twenty and two thousand.--No detail could more decisively show the terror struck into them by the sight of the Midianite host. They looked on them with the same alarm with which the Greeks, before Marathon, used to gaze on the Persian dress. It must not, however, be supposed that all the defaulters went straight to their homes. Doubtless many of them took part in the pursuit which made the victory decisive. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3.- Depart early. The Hebrew word so rendered only occurs here. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but the old versions generally give the meaning of "depart," "go back." Some, with much probability, connect the word with the Hebr <a href="/commentaries/judges/7-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now, therefore, וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> At this time proclaim קְרָ֨א (qə·rā) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read in the hearing בְּאָזְנֵ֤י (bə·’ā·zə·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - fdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_241.htm">Strong's 241: </a> Broadness, the ear of the people: הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock ‘Whoever מִֽי־ (mî-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix is fearful יָרֵ֣א (yā·rê) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3373.htm">Strong's 3373: </a> Fearing, reverent and trembling וְחָרֵ֔ד (wə·ḥā·rêḏ) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2730.htm">Strong's 2730: </a> Fearful, reverential may turn back יָשֹׁ֥ב (yā·šōḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again and leave וְיִצְפֹּ֖ר (wə·yiṣ·pōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6852.htm">Strong's 6852: </a> To skip about, return Mount מֵהַ֣ר (mê·har) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country Gilead.’” הַגִּלְעָ֑ד (hag·gil·‘āḏ) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1568.htm">Strong's 1568: </a> Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites So twenty-two עֶשְׂרִ֤ים (‘eś·rîm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> Twenty, twentieth thousand אֶ֔לֶף (’e·lep̄) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> A thousand [of them] הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock turned back, וַיָּ֣שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again but ten וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת (wa·‘ă·śe·reṯ) Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> Ten thousand אֲלָפִ֖ים (’ă·lā·p̄îm) Number - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> A thousand remained. נִשְׁאָֽרוּ׃ (niš·’ā·rū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7604.htm">Strong's 7604: </a> To swell up, be, redundant <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/7-3.htm">Judges 7:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/7-3.htm">OT History: Judges 7:3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/7-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 7:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 7:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/7-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 7:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 7:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>