Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

JUDGES 7:1KJV
Know the Bible

Judges 7:1 (KJV)

What does Judges 7:1 mean?

Judges 7:1 describes how Gideon, also called Jerubbaal, and his group of people got up early and set up camp near the spring of Harod, while the Midianite army was positioned to the north of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. This verse sets the scene for the coming events by showing where both armies were located before the battle.

The verse is part of the story where God is preparing Gideon to face the Midianites. Gideon leads his people to a specific place, and the text carefully notes the positions of both the Israelites and their enemies. This detailed setup helps the reader picture the tension and anticipation before the famous battle that follows in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Judges 7:1

  • יְרֻבַּעַל (Yerubba‘al, "Jerubbaal"): This name means "let Baal contend," a title given to Gideon after he tore down an altar to Baal. The verse clarifies that Jerubbaal and Gideon are the same person, which helps readers connect earlier stories about Gideon to this moment.
  • חֲרוֹד (Harod, "Harod"): The well or spring of Harod is a real location, and the name means "trembling" or "anxiety." This may hint at the fear among Gideon's men, which becomes important in the next verses when God tests their courage.
  • מוֹרֶה (Moreh, "Moreh"): The hill of Moreh is a landmark in the valley, helping to pinpoint the exact setting. Knowing this adds to the realism and historical grounding of the story.

Why Judges 7:1 matters

  • Judges 7:1 clears up that Jerubbaal and Gideon are the same person, which can be confusing if a reader does not remember the earlier story.
  • The verse emphasizes the careful arrangement of both armies, highlighting the tension and strategic planning before the battle.
  • By naming specific places, Judges 7:1 connects the story to real geography, making the events feel more grounded and helping readers visualize the scene.

Where else these words appear

“Moreh” Hebrew H4176 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?

“Jerubbaal” Hebrew H3378 · used in 13 verses

  • Judges 6:32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
  • Judges 9:2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
  • Judges 9:24 That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

“Gideon” Hebrew H1439 · used in 37 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • Judges 7:5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
  • Judges 8:11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

“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.