Judges 6:5 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:5 mean?

Judges 6:5 describes how the enemies of Israel—specifically the Midianites and their allies—invaded the land with such overwhelming numbers that they were compared to a swarm of locusts, bringing their livestock and tents and devastating everything in their path. The verse emphasizes that both the people and their camels were so numerous they could not be counted, and their purpose was to ruin the land.

In this part of the book of Judges, the narrator is explaining to the reader how severe the oppression of Israel was during this period. The Midianites and their allies would come into Israel at harvest time, bringing all their animals and families, and consume or destroy the crops, leaving the Israelites in poverty and fear. The comparison to "grasshoppers for multitude" highlights the sense of being overwhelmed and helpless against such a massive force.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:5

• "Grasshoppers" (אַרְבֶּה, arbeh): This word refers to locusts, which were known for swarming in huge, destructive numbers. The comparison underlines how the invaders seemed countless and unstoppable, just like a locust plague.
• "Destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachath): This word means to ruin, corrupt, or devastate. The use here shows that the Midianites were not just raiding for supplies but were intentionally leaving the land in a ruined state, making life even harder for the Israelites.
• "Without number" (אֵין מִסְפָּר, ein mispar): This phrase means "beyond counting," stressing the overwhelming scale of the invasion and the Israelites’ inability to defend themselves against such a force.

Why Judges 6:5 matters

• This verse helps the reader understand the depth of Israel’s hardship and why they cried out to God for help, setting the stage for Gideon’s story.
• The focus on the invaders’ camels being "without number" is significant because camels were a military advantage, showing how outmatched Israel was.
• The vivid language of destruction connects this event to other times in the Bible when locusts or similar disasters struck, making the reader feel the severity of the situation.