And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
JUDGES 7:14KJVWhat does Judges 7:14 mean?
Judges 7:14 describes how one Midianite soldier interprets a dream as a sign that God has given Gideon, an Israelite leader, victory over the Midianite army. The verse shows that even the enemies of Israel recognize that Gideon, with God's help, will defeat them.
In the story, Gideon overhears two Midianite soldiers talking in their camp. One shares a dream, and the other responds by saying the dream can only mean that Gideon (named as "the son of Joash," a man of Israel) will defeat Midian. The verse highlights the fear and sense of doom among the Midianites, and it sets the stage for Gideon's surprising victory with a small force.
The Hebrew behind Judges 7:14
- "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): This word means a literal sword, but it often represents military power or victory. Here, the "sword of Gideon" stands for the coming defeat of Midian by Gideon's hand.
- "Delivered" (נָתַן, natan): This verb means "to give" or "to deliver." The Midianite soldier uses it to say that God has handed over Midian and all their army into Gideon's control, showing a sense of total defeat.
- "Host" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): This word means "camp" or "army." The verse emphasizes that not just some, but the entire Midianite force is believed to be given over to Gideon.
Why Judges 7:14 matters
- Judges 7:14 shows that even Israel’s enemies recognize God’s power at work through Gideon, which builds suspense and highlights the miraculous nature of the coming victory.
- The verse connects to the larger story by showing how God encourages Gideon’s faith through the words of his enemies, just before Gideon leads his small group to victory.
- This verse clears up any idea that Gideon’s success is due to his own strength; the Midianite’s words make it clear that the victory is credited to God’s intervention.