JUDGES CHAPTER 6 The Midianites oppress Israel, JUDGES 6:1. A prophet raised rebukes them, JUDGES 6:7. An angel calls Gideon to Israel's deliverance, JUDGES 6:11; confirms him by a miracle, JUDGES 6:17. He builds an altar; calls it Jehovah-shalom; and offereth there. By God's command he breaks down... [ Continue Reading ]
In which they might secure their persons and provisions from the hands of the Midianites.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHILDREN OF THE EAST, i.e. the Arabians, who are commonly called _the children of the east_, as GENESIS 29:1 JUDGES 8:10,11 JOB 1:3 EZEKIEL 25:4. Not all the Arabians, for in that were many and divers people; but in the eastern part of Arabia.... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL THOU COME UNTO GAZA, i.e. from the east, on which side they entered, to the west, where Gaza was near the sea; so they destroyed the whole land.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT NUMBER, i.e. so many that it was not easy to number them. It is an _hyperbole_.... [ Continue Reading ]
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FEAR NOT, i.e. do not serve or worship them.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN OPHRAH, to wit, in Manasseh; for there was another Ophrah in Benjamin, JOSHUA 18:23. _The Abi-ezrite_; of the posterity of Abi-ezer; of whom see JOSHUA 17:2 1 CHRONICLES 7:18. See JUDGES 8:27,32. THRESHED WHEAT; not with oxen, as the manner was, DEUTERONOMY 25:4; but with a staff, to prevent disc... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. Will assist thee against thine and mine enemies. THOU MIGHTY MAN OF VALOUR; to whom I have given strength and courage for this end.... [ Continue Reading ]
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THE LORD LOOKED UPON HIM, with a settled and pleasant countenance, as a testimony of his favour to him, and of his readiness to help him. GO IN THIS THY MIGHT; or, _go now_, or _at this_ time, _in thy might_; the strength which thou hast already received, and dost now further receive from me, is suf... [ Continue Reading ]
MY FAMILY, Heb. _my thousand_; for the tribes were distributed into several thousands, whereof each thousand had his peculiar governor. POOR, i.e. weak and contemptible. I AM THE LEAST either for age, or for wisdom, and fitness for so great a work.... [ Continue Reading ]
As easily as if they were all but one man; or, thou shalt destroy them to a man, as he did, JUD 8.... [ Continue Reading ]
That it is _thou_, to wit, an angel or messenger sent from God, that appears to me, and discourseth with me; and not a fancy or delusion; that thou art in truth what thou seemest and pretendest to be, JUDGES 7:12. Or, A SIGN OF THAT WHICH THOU TALKEST WITH ME, i.e. that thou wilt by me smite the Mid... [ Continue Reading ]
MY PRESENT; not a sacrifice, because neither was Gideon a priest, nor was this the place of sacrifice, nor was any altar here, nor was there any such sacrifice as here follows appointed by God; but a repast, or some food for the angel, which he thought to be a man, as appears by JUDGES 6:22. Compare... [ Continue Reading ]
OF AN EPHAH OF FLOUR, to wit, out of the choicest part of a whole ephah; as also he brought to him the best part of a kid dressed; for a whole ephah and a whole kid had been very superfluous, and improper to provide for and set before one man.... [ Continue Reading ]
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By these things he showed himself to be no man that needed such provisions, but a true angel of God, or the Son of God; and by this instance of his omnipotency, gave the assurance that he both could and would consume the Midianites.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am an undone man; I must die, and that speedily; for that he feared, JUDGES 6:23, according to the common opinion in that case; of which see GENESIS 16:13, GENESIS 32:30 EXODUS 33:20 DEUTERONOMY 5:25,26. FOR BECAUSE, or, _for therefore_, &c., i.e. therefore God hath showed me this sight as a presa... [ Continue Reading ]
The Lord spake by inward suggestion, rather than in a visible apparition. PEACE BE UNTO THEE; thou shalt receive no hurt by this vision, as thou fearest; but only _peace_, i. e. all the blessings needful for thy own happiness, and for the present work; for this is a very comprehensive phrase among t... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE, to wit, on the top of the rock, as is evident from JUDGES 6:20, and especially from JUDGES 6:26, where that which is here expressed only in general, and by anticipation, is more particularly described, according to the usage of the Scripture. JEHOVAH-SHALOM, i.e. the _Lord's peace_; the sign... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN THE SECOND BULLOCK: thus there was but one bullock, which was young, to wit, comparatively, but not simply, for it was seven years old; and of such this Hebrew word is used, JOB 21:10; for these creatures are fruitful above seven years. Or thus, THY FATHER'S YOUNG BULLOCK, AND THE SECOND BULLOC... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON THE TOP OF THIS ROCK; of which JUDGES 6:20,21. Heb. _of this strong hold_; for in that calamitous time the Israelites retreated to such rocks, and hid and fortified themselves in them. IN THE ORDERED PLACE, i.e. in a plain and smooth part of the rock, where an altar may be conveniently built. O... [ Continue Reading ]
Doubtless he had acquainted the ten men with his design, and the assurance of success in it, whereby they were easily induced to assist him, if not sincerely, yet for the expectation of advantage to themselves by it. BECAUSE HE FEARED; not so much lest he should suffer for it, for he knew very well... [ Continue Reading ]
Not upon Baal's altar, for which it was designed; but upon an altar erected in contempt of Baal.... [ Continue Reading ]
Which they might easily conjecture, partly by his known aversion from the worship of Baal, and partly because no other person durst presume to do such a thing; but they might more certainly learn it from some of the persons employed in it, who through fear or favour might inform them.... [ Continue Reading ]
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WILL YE PLEAD FOR BAAL? Why are you so zealous in pleading for that Baal, for the worship whereof you suffer such grievous calamities at this day, and from whom you have no help? It is plain that Joash had been a worshipper of Baal; either therefore he was now convinced by Gideon's information and a... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CALLED HIM, i.e. Joash called _Gideon_ so, JUDGES 7:1, in remembrance of this noble exploit, and to put a brand upon Baal.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ Not that Jezreel in Judah_, of which JOSHUA 15:56; but another in the borders of Manasseh and Issachar, JOSHUA 17:16, JOSHUA 19:18, which is not far distant from Ophrah, where Gideon dwelt, and now was.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME UPON GIDEON, inspiring him with extraordinary wisdom, and courage, and zeal, to vindicate God's honour and his country's liberty. Compare 1 CHRONICLES 12:18 2 CHRONICLES 24:20. ABI-EZER, i.e. the Abi-ezrites, his kindred, And their servants, and others; who finding no harm coming to him for the... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGHOUT ALL MANASSEH, on both sides of Jordan. UNTO ASHER, ZEBULUN, AND NAPHTALI; because these tribes were nearest to him, and so could soonest join with him; and were nearest the enemy also, JUDGES 6:33, and therefore were most sensible of the calamity, and would in all reason be most forward t... [ Continue Reading ]
GIDEON SAID this in way of humble supplication, partly for the strengthening of his own faith, and partly for the greater encouragement of his soldiers in this great and strange attempt.... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON ALL THE EARTH BESIDE, i.e. upon all that spot of ground which adjoineth to and encompasseth the fleece.... [ Continue Reading ]
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Which was more difficult and preternatural than the former instance, because if there be any moisture, such bodies as fleeces of wool are most likely to drink it up.... [ Continue Reading ]
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