And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

JUDGES 6:7KJV
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Judges 6:7 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:7 mean?

Judges 6:7 describes how the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help because they were suffering under the oppression of the Midianites. This verse marks the moment when the Israelites, overwhelmed by their enemies, turned to God in desperation.

In the story, the Israelites had been invaded and harshly treated by the Midianites for several years. The verse shows the people reaching a breaking point and seeking deliverance from God. This sets the stage for God’s response through a prophet and, later, the calling of Gideon as a judge to rescue them.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:7

  • "Cried" (זָעַק, za'aq) means to call out or cry for help, often in distress or desperation. This word highlights the depth of Israel’s suffering and their urgent plea for rescue.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH) is the personal name for God used here, emphasizing that the Israelites are appealing specifically to their covenant God, not just any deity.
  • "Because" (עַל, ‘al) often means "on account of" or "because of," making it clear that the Israelites’ cry was directly caused by the oppression of the Midianites.

Why Judges 6:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s cry was not just a general prayer but a direct response to real suffering caused by a specific enemy, the Midianites.
  • It marks a turning point in the narrative, showing the pattern in Judges where Israel turns back to God only after experiencing hardship.
  • The verse prepares the reader for God’s intervention, showing that the coming deliverance is a response to the people’s plea, not just an automatic act.

Where else these words appear

“because” Hebrew H182 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 21:11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
  • Exodus 18:8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
  • Joshua 14:6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

“Midianites” Hebrew H4080 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 25:2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
  • Judges 6:2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
  • Judges 7:25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

“cried” Hebrew H2199 · used in 73 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
  • Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.