And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

JUDGES 7:20KJV
Know the Bible

Judges 7:20 (KJV)

What does Judges 7:20 mean?

Judges 7:20 describes how Gideon's three groups of men carried out a surprise attack by blowing trumpets, breaking jars, holding lamps, and shouting, “The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.” This verse shows the moment when Gideon’s small force used noise, light, and a battle cry to startle and confuse the enemy.

Gideon is leading a nighttime attack against the Midianites, following God’s instructions. The men each have a trumpet and a hidden lamp inside a clay jar. At Gideon’s signal, they break the jars to reveal the lamps, blow their trumpets, and shout together. This sudden display is meant to create fear and chaos among the Midianite camp, making them believe they are being attacked by a much larger army.

The Hebrew behind Judges 7:20

  • "Trumpets" (שׁוֹפָר, shofar): This word refers to a ram’s horn used as a horn or trumpet. The sound of many shofars would have been loud and alarming, adding to the confusion of the enemy.
  • "Pitchers" (כַּד, kad): These are clay jars. Breaking them suddenly would have made a crashing noise and revealed the hidden lamps, creating a dramatic effect in the dark.
  • "Lamps" (לַפִּיד, lappid): This word means torches or lamps. The sudden appearance of many lights at night would have made the Midianites think they were surrounded.
  • "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): The shout about the “sword of the LORD, and of Gideon” is a battle cry, but the verse does not mention the Israelites actually using swords at this moment. The emphasis is on God’s power and Gideon’s leadership.

Why Judges 7:20 matters

  • This verse shows that Gideon’s victory depended on God’s strategy, not on military strength or weapons, since the men used noise and light rather than swords.
  • The details highlight how fear and confusion can be powerful tools in battle, especially when used at God’s direction.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing how God uses unlikely means and small numbers to achieve victory, emphasizing trust in God over human ability.

Where else these words appear

“lamps” Hebrew H3940 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
  • Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
  • Ezekiel 1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

“pitchers” Hebrew H3537 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
  • Genesis 24:20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
  • Judges 7:19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

“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 7:4 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
  • 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.

“left” Hebrew H8040 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • Judges 3:21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:
  • 2 Chronicles 34:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.