8 That the LORD H3068 sent H7971 a prophet H376 H5030 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 which said H559 unto them, Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 I brought you up H5927 from Egypt, H4714 and brought you forth H3318 out of the house H1004 of bondage; H5650
And an angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 came up H5927 from Gilgal H1537 to Bochim, H1066 and said, H559 I made you to go up H5927 out of Egypt, H4714 and have brought H935 you unto the land H776 which I sware H7650 unto your fathers; H1 and I said, H559 I will never H5769 break H6565 my covenant H1285 with you. And ye shall make H3772 no league H1285 with the inhabitants H3427 of this land; H776 ye shall throw down H5422 their altars: H4196 but ye have not obeyed H8085 my voice: H6963 why have ye done H6213 this? Wherefore I also said, H559 I will not drive them out H1644 from before H6440 you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, H6654 and their gods H430 shall be a snare H4170 unto you.
And didst see H7200 the affliction H6040 of our fathers H1 in Egypt, H4714 and heardest H8085 their cry H2201 by the Red H5488 sea; H3220 And shewedst H5414 signs H226 and wonders H4159 upon Pharaoh, H6547 and on all his servants, H5650 and on all the people H5971 of his land: H776 for thou knewest H3045 that they dealt proudly H2102 against them. So didst thou get H6213 thee a name, H8034 as it is this day. H3117 And thou didst divide H1234 the sea H3220 before H6440 them, so that they went through H5674 the midst H8432 of the sea H3220 on the dry land; H3004 and their persecutors H7291 thou threwest H7993 into the deeps, H4688 as a stone H68 into the mighty H5794 waters. H4325 Moreover thou leddest H5148 them in the day H3119 by a cloudy H6051 pillar; H5982 and in the night H3915 by a pillar H5982 of fire, H784 to give them light H215 in the way H1870 wherein they should go. H3212
To him that smote H5221 Egypt H4714 in their firstborn: H1060 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 And brought out H3318 Israel H3478 from among H8432 them: for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 With a strong H2389 hand, H3027 and with a stretched out H5186 arm: H2220 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769 To him which divided H1504 the Red H5488 sea H3220 into parts: H1506 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 And made Israel H3478 to pass through H5674 the midst H8432 of it: for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 But overthrew H5287 Pharaoh H6547 and his host H2428 in the Red H5488 sea: H3220 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769 To him which led H3212 his people H5971 through the wilderness: H4057 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
In all their affliction H6869 he was afflicted, H6862 and the angel H4397 of his presence H6440 saved H3467 them: in his love H160 and in his pity H2551 he redeemed H1350 them; and he bare H5190 them, and carried H5375 them all the days H3117 of old. H5769 But they rebelled, H4784 and vexed H6087 his holy H6944 Spirit: H7307 therefore he was turned H2015 to be their enemy, H341 and he fought H3898 against them. Then he remembered H2142 the days H3117 of old, H5769 Moses, H4872 and his people, H5971 saying, Where is he that brought them up H5927 out of the sea H3220 with the shepherd H7462 of his flock? H6629 where is he that put H7760 his holy H6944 Spirit H7307 within H7130 him? That led H3212 them by the right hand H3225 of Moses H4872 with his glorious H8597 arm, H2220 dividing H1234 the water H4325 before H6440 them, to make H6213 himself an everlasting H5769 name? H8034 That led H3212 them through the deep, H8415 as an horse H5483 in the wilderness, H4057 that they should not stumble? H3782 As a beast H929 goeth down H3381 into the valley, H1237 the Spirit H7307 of the LORD H3068 caused him to rest: H5117 so didst thou lead H5090 thy people, H5971 to make H6213 thyself a glorious H8597 name. H8034
And say H559 unto them, Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 In the day H3117 when I chose H977 Israel, H3478 and lifted up H5375 mine hand H3027 unto the seed H2233 of the house H1004 of Jacob, H3290 and made myself known H3045 unto them in the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 when I lifted H5375 up mine hand H3027 unto them, saying, H559 I am the LORD H3068 your God; H430 In the day H3117 that I lifted up H5375 mine hand H3027 unto them, to bring them forth H3318 of the land H776 of Egypt H4714 into a land H776 that I had espied H8446 for them, flowing H2100 with milk H2461 and honey, H1706 which is the glory H6643 of all lands: H776 Then said H559 I unto them, Cast ye away H7993 every man H376 the abominations H8251 of his eyes, H5869 and defile H2930 not yourselves with the idols H1544 of Egypt: H4714 I am the LORD H3068 your God. H430 But they rebelled H4784 against me, and would H14 not hearken H8085 unto me: they did not every man H376 cast away H7993 the abominations H8251 of their eyes, H5869 neither did they forsake H5800 the idols H1544 of Egypt: H4714 then I said, H559 I will pour out H8210 my fury H2534 upon them, to accomplish H3615 my anger H639 against them in the midst H8432 of the land H776 of Egypt. H4714 But I wrought H6213 for my name's H8034 sake, that it should not be polluted H2490 before H5869 the heathen, H1471 among H8432 whom they were, in whose sight H5869 I made myself known H3045 unto them, in bringing them forth H3318 out of the land H776 of Egypt. H4714 Wherefore I caused them to go forth H3318 out of the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 and brought H935 them into the wilderness. H4057 And I gave H5414 them my statutes, H2708 and shewed H3045 them my judgments, H4941 which if a man H120 do, H6213 he shall even live H2425 in them. Moreover also I gave H5414 them my sabbaths, H7676 to be a sign H226 between me and them, that they might know H3045 that I am the LORD H3068 that sanctify H6942 them. But the house H1004 of Israel H3478 rebelled H4784 against me in the wilderness: H4057 they walked H1980 not in my statutes, H2708 and they despised H3988 my judgments, H4941 which if a man H120 do, H6213 he shall even live H2425 in them; and my sabbaths H7676 they greatly H3966 polluted: H2490 then I said, H559 I would pour out H8210 my fury H2534 upon them in the wilderness, H4057 to consume H3615 them. But I wrought H6213 for my name's H8034 sake, that it should not be polluted H2490 before H5869 the heathen, H1471 in whose sight H5869 I brought them out. H3318 Yet also I lifted up H5375 my hand H3027 unto them in the wilderness, H4057 that I would not bring H935 them into the land H776 which I had given H5414 them, flowing H2100 with milk H2461 and honey, H1706 which is the glory H6643 of all lands; H776 Because they despised H3988 my judgments, H4941 and walked H1980 not in my statutes, H2708 but polluted H2490 my sabbaths: H7676 for their heart H3820 went H1980 after H310 their idols. H1544 Nevertheless mine eye H5869 spared H2347 them from destroying H7843 them, neither did I make H6213 an end H3617 of them in the wilderness. H4057 But I said H559 unto their children H1121 in the wilderness, H4057 Walk H3212 ye not in the statutes H2706 of your fathers, H1 neither observe H8104 their judgments, H4941 nor defile H2930 yourselves with their idols: H1544 I am the LORD H3068 your God; H430 walk H3212 in my statutes, H2708 and keep H8104 my judgments, H4941 and do H6213 them; And hallow H6942 my sabbaths; H7676 and they shall be a sign H226 between me and you, that ye may know H3045 that I am the LORD H3068 your God. H430 Notwithstanding the children H1121 rebelled H4784 against me: they walked H1980 not in my statutes, H2708 neither kept H8104 my judgments H4941 to do H6213 them, which if a man H120 do, H6213 he shall even live H2425 in them; they polluted H2490 my sabbaths: H7676 then I said, H559 I would pour out H8210 my fury H2534 upon them, to accomplish H3615 my anger H639 against them in the wilderness. H4057 Nevertheless I withdrew H7725 mine hand, H3027 and wrought H6213 for my name's H8034 sake, that it should not be polluted H2490 in the sight H5869 of the heathen, H1471 in whose sight H5869 I brought them forth. H3318 I lifted up H5375 mine hand H3027 unto them also in the wilderness, H4057 that I would scatter H6327 them among the heathen, H1471 and disperse H2219 them through the countries; H776 Because they had not executed H6213 my judgments, H4941 but had despised H3988 my statutes, H2708 and had polluted H2490 my sabbaths, H7676 and their eyes H5869 were after H310 their fathers' H1 idols. H1544 Wherefore I gave H5414 them also statutes H2706 that were not good, H2896 and judgments H4941 whereby they should not live; H2421 And I polluted H2930 them in their own gifts, H4979 in that they caused to pass through H5674 the fire all that openeth H6363 the womb, H7356 that I might make them desolate, H8074 to the end that they might know H3045 that I am the LORD. H3068 Therefore, son H1121 of man, H120 speak H1696 unto the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 and say H559 unto them, Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Yet in this your fathers H1 have blasphemed H1442 me, in that they have committed H4603 a trespass H4604 against me. For when I had brought H935 them into the land, H776 for the which I lifted up H5375 mine hand H3027 to give H5414 it to them, then they saw H7200 every high H7311 hill, H1389 and all the thick H5687 trees, H6086 and they offered H2076 there their sacrifices, H2077 and there they presented H5414 the provocation H3708 of their offering: H7133 there also they made H7760 their sweet H5207 savour, H7381 and poured out H5258 there their drink offerings. H5262 Then I said H559 unto them, What is the high place H1116 whereunto ye go? H935 And the name H8034 thereof is called H7121 Bamah H1117 unto this day. H3117 Wherefore say H559 unto the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Are ye polluted H2930 after the manner H1870 of your fathers? H1 and commit ye whoredom H2181 after H310 their abominations? H8251 For when ye offer H5375 your gifts, H4979 when ye make your sons H1121 to pass through H5674 the fire, H784 ye pollute H2930 yourselves with all your idols, H1544 even unto this day: H3117 and shall I be enquired H1875 of by you, O house H1004 of Israel? H3478 As I live, H2416 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 I will not be enquired H1875 of by you. And that which cometh H5927 into your mind H7307 shall not be at all, that ye say, H559 We will be H1961 as the heathen, H1471 as the families H4940 of the countries, H776 to serve H8334 wood H6086 and stone. H68
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Judges 6
Commentary on Judges 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
Jud 6:1-6. The Israelites, for Their Sins, Oppressed by Midian.
1. and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian—Untaught by their former experiences, the Israelites again apostatized, and new sins were followed by fresh judgments. Midian had sustained a severe blow in the time of Moses (Nu 31:1-18); and the memory of that disaster, no doubt, inflamed their resentment against the Israelites. They were wandering herdsmen, called "children of the East," from their occupying the territory east of the Red Sea, contiguous to Moab. The destructive ravages they are described as at this time committing in the land of Israel are similar to those of the Bedouin Arabs, who harass the peaceful cultivators of the soil. Unless composition is made with them, they return annually at a certain season, when they carry off the grain, seize the cattle and other property; and even life itself is in jeopardy from the attacks of those prowling marauders. The vast horde of Midianites that overran Canaan made them the greatest scourge which had ever afflicted the Israelites.
2. made … dens … in the mountains and caves—not, of course, excavating them, for they were already, but making them fit for habitation.
Jud 6:7-10. A Prophet Rebukes Them.
8. the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel—The curse of the national calamity is authoritatively traced to their infidelity as the cause.
Jud 6:11-16. An Angel Sends Gideon to Deliver Them.
11. there came an angel of the Lord—He appeared in the character and equipments of a traveller (Jud 6:21), who sat down in the shade to enjoy a little refreshment and repose. Entering into conversation on the engrossing topic of the times, the grievous oppression of the Midianites, he began urging Gideon to exert his well-known prowess on behalf of his country. Gideon, in replying, addresses him at first in a style equivalent (in Hebrew) to "sir," but afterwards gives to him the name usually applied to God.
an oak—Hebrew, "the oak"—as famous in after-times.
Ophrah—a city in the tribe of Manasseh, about sixteen miles north of Jericho, in the district belonging to the family of Abiezer (Jos 17:2).
his son Gideon threshed wheat by the wine-press—This incident tells emphatically the tale of public distress. The small quantity of grain he was threshing, indicated by his using a flail instead of the customary treading of cattle—the unusual place, near a wine-press, under a tree, and on the bare ground, not a wooden floor, for the prevention of noise—all these circumstances reveal the extreme dread in which the people were living.
13. if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us?—Gideon's language betrays want of reflection, for the very chastisements God had brought on His people showed His presence with, and His interest in, them.
14-16. the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might … have not I sent thee?—The command and the promise made Gideon aware of the real character of his visitor; and yet like Moses, from a sense of humility, or a shrinking at the magnitude of the undertaking, he excused himself from entering on the enterprise. And even though assured that, with the divine aid, he would overcome the Midianites as easily as if they were but one man, he still hesitates and wishes to be better assured that the mission was really from God. He resembles Moses also in the desire for a sign; and in both cases it was the rarity of revelations in such periods of general corruption that made them so desirous of having the fullest conviction of being addressed by a heavenly messenger. The request was reasonable, and it was graciously granted [Jud 6:18].
Jud 6:17-32. Gideon's Present Consumed by Fire.
18. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I … bring forth my present—Hebrew, my mincha, or "meat offering"; and his idea probably was to prove, by his visitor's partaking of the entertainment, whether or not he was more than man.
19-23. Gideon went in, and made ready a kid; … the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot—(See on Ge 18:7). The flesh seems to have been roasted, which is done by cutting it into kobab, that is, into small pieces, fixed on a skewer, and put before the fire. The broth was for immediate use; the other, brought in a hand-basket was intended to be a future supply to the traveller. The miraculous fire that consumed it and the vanishing of the stranger, not by walking, but as a spirit in the fire, filled Gideon with awe. A consciousness of demerit fills the heart of every fallen man at the thought of God, with fear of His wrath; and this feeling was increased by a belief prevalent in ancient times, that whoever saw an angel would forthwith die. The acceptance of Gideon's sacrifice betokened the acceptance of his person; but it required an express assurance of the divine blessing, given in some unknown manner, to restore his comfort and peace of mind.
24-32. it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him—The transaction in which Gideon is here described as engaged was not entered on till the night after the vision.
25. Take thy father's … second bullock—The Midianites had probably reduced the family herd; or, as Gideon's father was addicted to idolatry, the best may have been fattened for the service of Baal; so that the second was the only remaining one fit for sacrifice to God.
throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath—standing upon his ground, though kept for the common use of the townsmen.
cut down the grove that is by it—dedicated to Ashtaroth. With the aid of ten confidential servants he demolished the one altar and raised on the appointed spot the altar of the Lord; but, for fear of opposition, the work had to be done under cover of night. A violent commotion was excited next day, and vengeance vowed against Gideon as the perpetrator. "Joash, his father, quieted the mob in a manner similar to that of the town clerk of Ephesus. It was not for them to take the matter into their own hands. The one, however, made an appeal to the magistrate; the other to the idolatrous god himself" [Chalmers].
Jud 6:33-39. The Signs.
33. all the Midianites … pitched in Jezreel—The confederated troops of Midian, Amalek, and their neighbors, crossing the Jordan to make a fresh inroad on Canaan, encamped in the plains of Esdraelon (anciently Jezreel). The southern part of the Ghor lies in a very low level, so that there is a steep and difficult descent into Canaan by the southern wadies. Keeping this in view, we see the reason why the Midianite army, from the east of Jordan, entered Canaan by the northern wadies of the Ghor, opposite Jezreel.
34. the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon—Called in this sudden emergency into the public service of his country, he was supernaturally endowed with wisdom and energy commensurate with the magnitude of the danger and the difficulties of his position. His summons to war was enthusiastically obeyed by all the neighboring tribes. On the eve of a perilous enterprise, he sought to fortify his mind with a fresh assurance of a divine call to the responsible office. The miracle of the fleece was a very remarkable one—especially, considering the copious dews that fall in his country. The divine patience and condescension were wonderfully manifested in reversing the form of the miracle. Gideon himself seems to have been conscious of incurring the displeasure of God by his hesitancy and doubts; but He bears with the infirmities of His people.