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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men <i>into</i> three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he divided the three hundred men <i>into</i> three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He divided the 300 men into three companies, and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he divided the 300 men into three companies, and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he divided the 300 men into three companies, and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he divided the 300 men into three companies and gave each of the men a trumpet in one hand and an empty pitcher with a torch inside it in the other.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Gideon divided his little army into three groups of 100 men, and he gave each soldier a trumpet and a large clay jar with a burning torch inside. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Gideon divided the 300 men into three companies. He gave them each rams' horns and jars with torches inside.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He divided his three hundred men into three groups and gave each man a trumpet and a jar with a torch inside it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he separated the 300 men into three companies, gave them each trumpets to carry, along with jars into which he placed lit torches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram?s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He divided the three hundred men into three units. He gave them all trumpets and empty jars with torches inside them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them trumpets and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he divides the three hundred men [into] three detachments, and puts horns into the hand of all of them, and empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he divideth the three hundred men into three detachments, and putteth trumpets into the hand of all of them, and empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will divide the three hundred men into three beginnings, and he will give trumpets into the hand of them all, and empty buckets, and torches in the midst of the buckets.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three parts, and gave them trumpets in their hands, and empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three parts. And he gave trumpets, and empty pitchers, and lamps for the middle of the pitchers, into their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and provided them all with horns and with empty jars and torches inside the jars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />After he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets into the hands of all of them, and empty jars, with torches inside the jars,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three divisions, and he put horns into all their hands, and empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them horns, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put horns in the hands of all, and empty pitchers, and torches in the pitchers:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/7-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=2105" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm">Gideon Defeats Midian</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15</span>When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2673.htm" title="2673: way·ya·ḥaṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To divide. A primitive root); to cut or split in two; to halve.">And he divided</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lōš- (Number-fsc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">the three</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’ō·wṯ (Number-fp) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction.">hundred</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šāh (Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">into three</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šîm (N-mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">companies</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·tên (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">each man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7782.htm" title="7782: šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A horn (for blowing). Or shophar; from shaphar in the original sense of incising; a cornet or curved horn.">a ram’s horn</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yaḏ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in one hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/7386.htm" title="7386: rê·qîm (Adj-mp) -- Empty, vain. Or req; from ruwq; empty; figuratively, worthless.">and a large</a> <a href="/hebrew/3537.htm" title="3537: wə·ḵad·dîm (Conj-w:: N-fp) -- A jar. From an unused root meaning to deepen; properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes.">jar in the other,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">containing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3940.htm" title="3940: wə·lap·pi·ḏîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- A torch. Or lappid; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame.">a torch.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3537.htm" title="3537: hak·kad·dîm (Art:: N-fp) -- A jar. From an unused root meaning to deepen; properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes."></a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>“Watch me and do as I do,” Gideon said. “When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-4.htm">Joshua 6:4-5</a></span><br />Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. / And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">1 Samuel 17:40</a></span><br />And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7</a></span><br />Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-16.htm">Exodus 14:16</a></span><br />And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-21.htm">2 Chronicles 20:21-22</a></span><br />Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32-34</a></span><br />And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Isaiah 41:14-16</a></span><br />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. / Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-6.htm">2 Kings 7:6-7</a></span><br />For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6-15</a></span><br />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.” / “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-3.htm">Psalm 44:3-7</a></span><br />For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them. / You are my King, O God, who ordains victories for Jacob. / Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">2 Corinthians 10:4</a></span><br />The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-57.htm">1 Corinthians 15:57</a></span><br />But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">three companies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7</a></b></br> But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.</p><p class="hdg">lamps.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/26-13.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/numbers/10-25.htm">Companies</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">Detachments</a> <a href="/judges/5-30.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-8.htm">Divideth</a> <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Dividing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/judges/7-15.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/7-14.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/6-34.htm">Horn</a> <a href="/judges/7-8.htm">Horns</a> <a href="/judges/7-8.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/joshua/19-9.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/numbers/4-9.htm">Jars</a> <a href="/numbers/8-3.htm">Lamps</a> <a href="/exodus/37-16.htm">Pitchers</a> <a href="/joshua/10-26.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/judges/4-11.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/judges/7-8.htm">Three</a> <a href="/revelation/4-5.htm">Torches</a> <a href="/judges/6-34.htm">Trumpet</a> <a href="/judges/7-8.htm">Trumpets</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-24.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/judges/2-9.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Companies</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Detachments</a> <a href="/judges/9-43.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/judges/9-43.htm">Divideth</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-3.htm">Dividing</a> <a href="/ruth/1-21.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/7-18.htm">Horn</a> <a href="/judges/7-18.htm">Horns</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Jars</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Lamps</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Pitchers</a> <a href="/judges/15-4.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/judges/9-43.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Three</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Torches</a> <a href="/judges/7-18.htm">Trumpet</a> <a href="/judges/7-18.htm">Trumpets</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-49.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand is brought to three hundred</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/7-9.htm">He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/7-16.htm">His plan of trumpets and lamps in pitchers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/7-24.htm">The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>And he divided the three hundred men into three companies</b><br>Gideon, under divine instruction, strategically divides his small force of 300 men into three groups. This division is significant as it reflects a military tactic aimed at creating confusion and surprise among the Midianite army. The number three often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection in the Bible, seen in the Trinity and other scriptural instances. This division also highlights the theme of God using small numbers to achieve great victories, emphasizing reliance on divine power rather than human strength.<p><b>and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand</b><br>The ram's horn, or shofar, is a significant instrument in Israelite culture, used for religious ceremonies, signaling, and warfare. Its use here is symbolic of divine intervention and the proclamation of God's presence. The shofar is also associated with the giving of the Law at Sinai and the fall of Jericho, linking Gideon's battle to God's past deliverances. The sound of the shofar would have been both a psychological weapon and a spiritual declaration, instilling fear in the enemy and confidence in the Israelites.<p><b>and a large jar in the other, containing a torch</b><br>The large jar, likely made of clay, served to conceal the torch's light until the right moment. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for the hidden power of God, revealed at the appointed time. The breaking of the jars to reveal the torches parallels the breaking of barriers to reveal divine truth and light, reminiscent of the light of Christ breaking into the darkness of the world. The use of torches also connects to the theme of light overcoming darkness, a recurring biblical motif. This tactic would have created the illusion of a larger force, contributing to the panic and confusion among the Midianites.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a></b><br>The judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. He is a central figure in this account, demonstrating faith and obedience to God's unconventional battle plan.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_three_hundred_men.htm">The Three Hundred Men</a></b><br>A select group of warriors chosen by God through Gideon. Their small number highlights God's power and the importance of faith over military might.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/midianites.htm">Midianites</a></b><br>The oppressive enemy of Israel during this period. Their defeat by Gideon's small army underscores God's deliverance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/ram's_horn.htm">Ram’s Horn (Shofar)</a></b><br>A traditional instrument used in Israelite worship and warfare, symbolizing God's presence and power.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/clay_jar_and_torch.htm">Clay Jar and Torch</a></b><br>Unconventional weapons that symbolize the light of God breaking through human frailty, as the jars are broken to reveal the torches.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_numbers.htm">Faith Over Numbers</a></b><br>Trust in God's power rather than human strength or numbers. Gideon's victory with only 300 men teaches us that God can achieve His purposes through seemingly inadequate means.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_plan.htm">Obedience to God's Plan</a></b><br>Gideon's adherence to God's unusual battle strategy highlights the importance of obedience, even when God's ways seem unconventional or counterintuitive.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_light.htm">Symbolism of Light</a></b><br>The torches hidden in clay jars symbolize the light of God within us. As believers, we are called to let our light shine, breaking through our human limitations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_glory_in_weakness.htm">God's Glory in Weakness</a></b><br>The breaking of the jars to reveal the light illustrates how God uses our weaknesses to display His strength and glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The spiritual battle requires reliance on God's strategies, which may differ from worldly tactics. Prayer, faith, and obedience are our spiritual weapons.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_300_men_defeat_the_midianites.htm">How could just 300 men using only trumpets and jars in Judges 7:16–22 realistically defeat a massive Midianite army? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_gideon_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/summarize_gideon's_bible_story..htm">What is the summary of Gideon's story in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jericho's_walls_fall_by_sound.htm">How could the walls of Jericho have collapsed simply from trumpet blasts and shouting (Joshua 6:20)?</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>(16) <span class= "bld">Into three companies.</span>--See <a href="/judges/9-43.htm" title="And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.">Judges 9:43</a>. This division of the attacking force was a common stratagem. We find it in <a href="/job/1-17.htm" title="While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell on the camels, and have carried them away, yes, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you.">Job 1:17</a>--"the Chaldaeans made out three bands "--and it was adopted by Saul against the Ammonites (<a href="/1_samuel/11-11.htm" title="And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.">1Samuel 11:11</a>), and by David against Absalom (<a href="/2_samuel/18-2.htm" title="And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.">2Samuel 18:2</a>). (Comp. <a href="/genesis/14-15.htm" title="And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.">Genesis 14:15</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">A trumpet.</span>--Hearing the sound of three hundred rams' horns, the Midianites would naturally suppose that they were being attacked by three hundred <span class= "ital">companies.</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Trumpets</span>, which had been collected from the whole army (ver. 8, note). <span class="cmt_word">Lamps</span>. Rather, as in the margin, <span class="accented">torches</span>, within the pitchers, so as not to be seen till the pitchers were broken, when the torches would flare with a sudden blaze. The <span class="accented">pitchers</span> were vessels for drawing water, as appears from <a href="/genesis/24-14.htm">Genesis 24:14, 16, 18, 20</a>. They were doubtless of earthenware, as they were so easily broken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/7-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And he divided</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֛חַץ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·ḥaṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2673.htm">Strong's 2673: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, split in two, to halve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the three</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹשׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lōš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hundred</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵא֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3967.htm">Strong's 3967: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hundred</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאִ֖ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into three</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">companies</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשִׁ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and gave</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתֵּ֨ן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">each man</span><br /><span class="heb">כֻּלָּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(kul·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a trumpet</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁוֹפָר֤וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7782.htm">Strong's 7782: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cornet, curved horn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in one hand</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיַד־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yaḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a large jar [in the other],</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכַדִּ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵad·dîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3537.htm">Strong's 3537: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pail, earthenware, a jar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">containing</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּת֥וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a torch.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלַפִּדִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lap·pi·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3940.htm">Strong's 3940: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flambeau, lamp, flame</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/7-16.htm">OT History: Judges 7:16 He divided the three hundred men into (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/7-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 7:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 7:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/7-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 7:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 7:17" /></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>