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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 7:20 The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/7-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/07_Jdg_07_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 7:20 - Gideon Defeats Midian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/7-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/7-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/7-19.htm" title="Judges 7:19">◄</a> Judges 7:20 <a href="/judges/7-21.htm" title="Judges 7:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/judges/7.htm">New International Version</a> The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, &#8220A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!&#8221 <a href="/nlt/judges/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” <a href="/esv/judges/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” <a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” <a href="/kjv/judges/7.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/judges/7.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!” <a href="/nasb_/judges/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the three units blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing, and shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” <a href="/nasb/judges/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> When the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing, and cried, &#8220A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/judges/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing, and cried, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” <a href="/lsb/judges/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, and they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing and called out, “A sword for Yahweh and for Gideon!” <a href="/amp/judges/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, they held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow, and they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” <a href="/csb/judges/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The three companies blew their ram’s horns and shattered their pitchers. They held their torches in their left hands and their ram’s horns to blow in their right hands, and they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon! ” <a href="/hcsb/judges/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The three companies blew their trumpets and shattered their pitchers. They held their torches in their left hands, their trumpets in their right hands, and shouted, &#8220A sword for Yahweh and for Gideon!&#8221 <a href="/asv/judges/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands wherewith to blow; and they cried, The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon. <a href="/cev/judges/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The rest of Gideon's soldiers blew the trumpets they were holding in their right hands. Then they smashed the jars and held the burning torches in their left hands. Everyone shouted, "Fight with your swords for the LORD and for Gideon!" <a href="/erv/judges/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the torches 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. <a href="/gwt/judges/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The three companies also blew their rams' horns and broke their jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the rams' horns in their right hands so that they could blow them. They shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" <a href="/gnt/judges/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> and the other two groups did the same. They all held the torches in their left hands, the trumpets in their right, and shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" <a href="/isv/judges/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the three companies sounded their trumpets and broke the jars, they held the torches in their left hands and sounded their trumpets with their right hands. Then they cried out, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" <a href="/msb/judges/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, ?A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!? <a href="/net/judges/7.htm">NET Bible</a> All three units blew their trumpets and broke their jars. They held the torches in their left hand and the trumpets in their right. Then they yelled, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" <a href="/nheb/judges/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow; and they called out, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon.'" <a href="/wbt/judges/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow with: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. <a href="/web/judges/7.htm">World English Bible</a> The three companies blew the trumpets, broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow; and they shouted, “The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon!” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the three detachments blow with horns, and break the pitchers, and keep hold with their left hand on the lamps, and with their right hand on the horns to blow, and they cry, “The sword of YHWH and of Gideon!” <a href="/ylt/judges/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the three detachments blow with trumpets, and break the pitchers, and keep hold with their left hand on the lamps, and with their right hand on the trumpets to blow, and they cry, 'The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon.' <a href="/slt/judges/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the three heads will strike upon the trumpets, and will break the buckets, and they will hold fast in their left hand upon the torches, and in their right hand the trumpets to strike: and they will call the sword for Jehovah and for Gideon.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when they sounded their trumpets in three places round about the camp, and had broken their pitchers, they held their lamps in their left hands, and with their right hands the trumpets which they blew, and they cried out: The sword of the Lord and of Gedeon; <a href="/cpdv/judges/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when they had sounded their trumpets in three places around the camp, and had broken their water pitchers, they held the lamps in their left hands, and sounded the trumpets in their right hands. And they cried out, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” <a href="/nabre/judges/7.htm">New American Bible</a> When the three companies had blown their horns and broken their jars, they took the torches in their left hands, and in their right the horns they had been blowing, and cried out, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” <a href="/nrsvce/judges/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars, holding in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow; and they cried, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the three companies blew their trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands; and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. <a href="/hpbt/judges/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the three hundred Leaders sounded with the trumpets and they broke the pitchers and they seized the lamps with their left hands, and horns to sound in their right hands and they called out, “The sword for LORD JEHOVAH and for Gedun!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the three companies blew the horns, and broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the horns in their right hands wherewith to blow; and they cried: 'The sword for the LORD and for Gideon!' <a href="/sep/judges/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> and the three companies sounded with the horns, and broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and in their right hands their horns to sound with; and they cried out, A sword for the Lord and for Gedeon. <a href="/parallel/judges/7-20.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=2151" 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 Defeats Midian</a> …19Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20<a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šeṯ (Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">The three</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: hā·rā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">companies</a> <a href="/hebrew/8628.htm" title="8628: way·yiṯ·qə·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to clatter, i.e. Slap, clang; by analogy, to drive; by implication, to become bondsman by handclasping).">blew</a> <a href="/hebrew/7782.htm" title="7782: baš·šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A horn (for blowing). Or shophar; from shaphar in the original sense of incising; a cornet or curved horn.">their horns</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: way·yiš·bə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">and shattered</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.">their jars.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: way·ya·ḥă·zî·qū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">Holding</a> <a href="/hebrew/3940.htm" title="3940: bal·lap·pi·ḏîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A torch. Or lappid; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame.">the torches</a> <a href="/hebrew/8040.htm" title="8040: śə·m·ʾō·lå̄m (N-msc:: 3mp) -- The left. ">in their left</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ḇə·yaḏ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/7782.htm" title="7782: haš·šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- A horn (for blowing). Or shophar; from shaphar in the original sense of incising; a cornet or curved horn.">and the horns</a> <a href="/hebrew/8628.htm" title="8628: liṯ·qō·w·a‘ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to clatter, i.e. Slap, clang; by analogy, to drive; by implication, to become bondsman by handclasping)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: yə·mî·nām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south.">in their right</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ū·ḇə·yaḏ- (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hands,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">they shouted,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥe·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">“A sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">for the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1439.htm" title="1439: ū·lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A judge of Isr. From gada'; feller; Gidon, an Israelite.">and for Gideon!”</a> 21Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran.…<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="/exodus/14-16.htm">Exodus 14:16</a> 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. <a href="/joshua/6-16.htm">Joshua 6:16</a> After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! <a href="/1_samuel/14-12.htm">1 Samuel 14:12</a> So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” <a href="/2_chronicles/20-17.htm">2 Chronicles 20:17</a> 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/9-4.htm">Isaiah 9:4</a> For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. <a href="/isaiah/41-15.htm">Isaiah 41:15-16</a> 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. <a href="/jeremiah/51-20.htm">Jeremiah 51:20</a> “You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. <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="/zechariah/9-13.htm">Zechariah 9:13</a> For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man. <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a> You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. <a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a> “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. <a href="/luke/9-1.htm">Luke 9:1-2</a> Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. / And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a> The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a> Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” <a href="/acts/2-3.htm">Acts 2:3-4</a> They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. / And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow with: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.blew.<a href="/numbers/10-1.htm">Numbers 10:1-10</a> And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, … <a href="/joshua/6-4.htm">Joshua 6:4,16,20</a> And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets… <a href="/isaiah/27-13.htm">Isaiah 27:13</a> And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.brake<a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7</a> But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.<a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm">Hebrews 11:4</a> By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.<a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm">2 Peter 1:15</a> Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Blew</a> <a href="/judges/7-18.htm">Blow</a> <a href="/joshua/6-13.htm">Blowing</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/judges/5-12.htm">Break</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Companies</a> <a href="/judges/6-7.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/judges/6-7.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Detachments</a> <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/4-5.htm">Held</a> <a href="/joshua/23-12.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-20.htm">Holding</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Horns</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Jars</a> <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Lamps</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-1.htm">Note</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Pitchers</a> <a href="/judges/6-19.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/judges/5-26.htm">Right</a> <a href="/joshua/6-20.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/judges/5-26.htm">Smashed</a> <a href="/judges/7-18.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Three</a> <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Torches</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Trumpets</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Vessels</a> <a href="/judges/6-15.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/numbers/4-7.htm">Withal</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Blew</a> <a href="/judges/16-28.htm">Blow</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">Blowing</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Break</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/judges/8-9.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Companies</a> <a href="/judges/7-21.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/judges/10-12.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Detachments</a> <a href="/judges/8-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/8-3.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/7-21.htm">Held</a> <a href="/judges/9-9.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/16-26.htm">Holding</a> <a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Horns</a> <a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Jars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-21.htm">Lamps</a> <a href="/judges/13-13.htm">Note</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-33.htm">Pitchers</a> <a href="/judges/13-15.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/judges/8-7.htm">Right</a> <a href="/judges/7-21.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Smashed</a> <a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Three</a> <a href="/judges/15-4.htm">Torches</a> <a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Trumpets</a> <a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Vessels</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm">Withal</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 = 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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>The three companies blew their horns The use of trumpets or horns in ancient Israel often signified a call to battle or a divine announcement (<a href="/joshua/6-4.htm">Joshua 6:4-5</a>). In <a href="/judges/7.htm">Judges 7</a>, Gideon's army is divided into three companies, a strategic move that reflects military tactics of the time, allowing for surprise and confusion among the enemy. The number three can also symbolize completeness or divine perfection in biblical numerology.and shattered their jars The jars, likely made of clay, were used to conceal the torches until the right moment. The breaking of the jars symbolizes the revelation of God's power and the suddenness of His deliverance. This act of breaking jars can be seen as a metaphor for the breaking of earthly vessels to reveal divine light, reminiscent of <a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7</a>, where believers are described as jars of clay containing the treasure of the gospel.Holding the torches in their left hands The torches represent the light of God, guiding and illuminating the path of His people. In the context of battle, the light would have been a psychological weapon, creating fear and confusion among the Midianites. The left hand, often considered the weaker hand, holding the torch, signifies that the true strength and victory come from God, not human might.and the horns in their right hands The right hand is traditionally associated with power and authority in biblical literature (<a href="/psalms/110.htm">Psalm 110:1</a>). By holding the horns in their right hands, the Israelites demonstrate that their authority and power in this battle come from God. The simultaneous use of light and sound would have amplified the perceived size and strength of Gideon's army.they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” This battle cry acknowledges both divine intervention and human leadership. The phrase emphasizes that the victory belongs to the LORD, yet it also recognizes Gideon's role as God's chosen instrument. This dual acknowledgment is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God works through human agents to accomplish His purposes (<a href="/1_samuel/17-47.htm">1 Samuel 17:47</a>). The sword, though not physically present, symbolizes the power and judgment of God, reminiscent of the "sword of the Spirit" in <a href="/ephesians/6-17.htm">Ephesians 6:17</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a> A judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is a central figure in this account, demonstrating faith and obedience to God's unconventional battle plan. 2. <a href="/topical/m/midianites.htm">Midianites</a> The oppressors of Israel during this period. They were a nomadic people who had been raiding and impoverishing the Israelites. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_three_companies.htm">The Three Companies</a> Refers to the 300 men divided into three groups by Gideon. This small force was used by God to achieve a great victory, emphasizing His power and the importance of faith. 4. <a href="/topical/t/trumpets_and_jars.htm">Trumpets and Jars</a> Instruments used in the battle strategy. The trumpets were used to create noise and confusion, while the jars, when broken, revealed the torches, symbolizing the light of God's deliverance. 5. <a href="/topical/t/torches.htm">Torches</a> Represent the light and presence of God, which brought fear and confusion to the Midianites, leading to their defeat.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_power_in_weakness.htm">God's Power in Weakness</a> God often uses the weak and the few to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that victory comes from Him, not human strength. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_plan.htm">Obedience to God's Plan</a> Gideon's obedience to God's unconventional strategy teaches us the importance of trusting God's wisdom over our own understanding. <a href="/topical/t/the_light_of_god's_presence.htm">The Light of God's Presence</a> The torches symbolize God's presence, reminding us that His light dispels darkness and brings victory over our spiritual battles. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> The actions of Gideon's men show that faith requires action, even when the plan seems illogical by human standards. <a href="/topical/p/proclaiming_god's_victory.htm">Proclaiming God's Victory</a> The shout, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon," emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's role in our victories and giving Him the glory.<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/summarize_gideon's_bible_story..htm">What is the summary of Gideon's story in the Bible?</a> <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> <a href="/q/what_means_god_is_my_helper.htm">What does it mean that God is my helper?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_gideon_order_his_son_to_kill.htm">Judges 8:20: Why would Gideon command his young son to kill captives, and is there any historical precedent for such practices?</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>(20) The trumpets in their right hands . . .--Thus they were comparatively defenceless, though, if they had any armour at all, doubtless they could still hold the shield on the left arm, while the sword was girded on the thigh. The effect of the sudden crash and glare and shout upon the vast unwieldy host of the Bedouins may be imagined. Startled from sleep in a camp which, like Oriental camps, must have been most imperfectly protected and disciplined, they would see on every side blazing torches, and hear on every side the rams' horns and the terrible shout of the Israelites. (Comp. Tac. Ann. i. 68.) The instant result was a wild panic, such as that which seized the camp of the Persians at Plataee. The first thought which would rise in their minds would be that there was some treachery at work among the motley elements of the camp itself. Even a well-disciplined camp is liable to these outbursts of panic. One such occurred among the Greeks in the camp of the Ten Thousand during their retreat. To shame these groundless alarms, Klearchus next morning caused a reward to be proclaimed for any one who would give information "who had let the ass loose;" and this seems to have been a standing joke to shame Greek soldiers from such panics (Xen. Anab. ii. 2, 20). Several stratagems similar to that of Gideon are recorded in history. Polyaenus, in his book on the "Art of War," tells us that Di?tas, when attacking Heraea, "ordered the trumpeters to stand apart, and sound a charge opposite to many quarters of the city; and that the Heraeans, hearing the blasts of many trumpets from many directions, thinking that the whole region was crowded with enemies, abandoned the city." Frontinus also tells us that the Tarquinians and Faliscans tried to frighten the Romans with torches, and Minucius Rufus terrified the Scordisci by trumpets blown among the rocks (Strateg. ii. 3). Hannibal on one occasion escaped from Fabius Maximus by tying torches to the heads of cattle, and having them driven about the hills. The Druids waved torches to repel the attack of Suetonius Paulinus on the island of Mona (Tac. Ann. xiv. 30). An Arab chief (Bel-Arab) in the eighteenth century used trumpets in exactly the same manner as Gideon did on this occasion, and with the same success (Niebuhr, Beschr. von Arabien, p. 304). Ewald alludes to similar stratagems in Neapolitan and Hungarian wars, the latter so recently as 1849 (Gesch. ii. 503). <a href="/commentaries/judges/7-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>The three שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> Three, third, thrice companies הָרָאשִׁ֥ים (hā·rā·šîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head blew וַֽ֠יִּתְקְעוּ (way·yiṯ·qə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8628.htm">Strong's 8628: </a> To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman their trumpets בַּשּֽׁוֹפָרוֹת֮ (baš·šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7782.htm">Strong's 7782: </a> A cornet, curved horn and shattered וַיִּשְׁבְּר֣וּ (way·yiš·bə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> To break, break in pieces their jars. הַכַּדִּים֒ (hak·kad·dîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3537.htm">Strong's 3537: </a> A pail, earthenware, a jar Holding וַיַּחֲזִ֤יקוּ (way·ya·ḥă·zî·qū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer the torches בַּלַּפִּדִ֔ים (bal·lap·pi·ḏîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3940.htm">Strong's 3940: </a> A flambeau, lamp, flame in their left שְׂמאוֹלָם֙‪‬ (śə·m·’ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8040.htm">Strong's 8040: </a> Dark, the north, the left hand hands בְיַד־ (ḇə·yaḏ-) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand and the trumpets הַשּׁוֹפָר֖וֹת (haš·šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7782.htm">Strong's 7782: </a> A cornet, curved horn in their right יְמִינָ֔ם (yə·mî·nām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3225.htm">Strong's 3225: </a> The right hand, side, the south hands, וּבְיַ֨ד־ (ū·ḇə·yaḏ-) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand they shouted, וַֽיִּקְרְא֔וּ (way·yiq·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read “A sword חֶ֥רֶב (ḥe·reḇ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword for the LORD לַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and for Gideon!” וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן׃ (ū·lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1439.htm">Strong's 1439: </a> Gideon -- a judge of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/7-20.htm">Judges 7:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">OT History: Judges 7:20 The three companies blew the trumpets (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/7-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 7:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 7:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/7-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 7:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 7:21" /></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>