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Judges 7:1 open_in_new
The sites here mentioned are doubtful. Moreh] said to be near Shechem (Genesis 12:6; Deuteronomy 11:30). After the battle Gideon crosses the Jordan by the fords one would take if travelling from Shechem eastwards.
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Judges 7:1-25 open_in_new
The Rout of Midian
1-7. Gideon's choice of his Followers.
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Judges 7:3 open_in_new
Gilead] is E. of the Jordan: some other locality must be meant. For the return of the timid, cp. Deuteronomy 20:8.
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Judges 7:5 open_in_new
Probably an arbitrary test. It is as easy to find abstract reasons for choosing those who stooped down as for rejecting them. The test in Judges 12:6 is very different.
8-25. The Rout of Midian.
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Judges 7:11 open_in_new
The author frankly admits that, in spite of Judges 6:34, Gideon is afraid to take the bolder course.
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Judges 7:13 open_in_new
A cake of barley bread] apparently a disk-like cake baked in the ashes: representing the Israelite peasants, as the tent represents the Midianite nomads.
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Judges 7:15 open_in_new
Worshipped] bowed down before God.
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Judges 7:16 open_in_new
Lamps] RV 'torches.'
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Judges 7:18 open_in_new
The sword] These words do not occur in the Heb. in this v. but are supplied from Judges 7:20. Jehovah is the true leader of the Israelite host.
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Judges 7:19 open_in_new
The middle watch] i.e. when the night was about a third through: well before midnight.
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Judges 7:22 open_in_new
These places cannot be identified, but were probably in the Jordan valley, towards a point E. of Shechem.
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Judges 7:23 open_in_new
See Judges 6:35. Probably those who had left Gideon before the surprise now hurry in pursuit of the flying foe. They did not, however, as it would seem, actually join Gideon (Judges 8:4).
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Judges 7:24 open_in_new
Ephraim] the leading tribe has not yet been mentioned. Beth-barah] not certainly identified; probably a tributary of the Jordan, the Wady Farah, which the Ephraimites would be able to reach before the fugitives. The latter—thus prevented from moving further southwards—would be enclosed between the two rivers, and helpless. Cp. Isaiah 9:4.
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Judges 7:25 open_in_new
Two princes] RV 'the two princes.' Oreb] 'Raven.' Zeeb] 'Wolf.' Other side Jordan] This is an anticipation of the next chapter (Judges 7:4).