And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

JUDGES 7:21KJV
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Judges 7:21 (KJV)

What does Judges 7:21 mean?

Judges 7:21 describes the moment when Gideon’s men hold their positions around the enemy camp while the enemy army breaks into panic. The verse draws a sharp contrast between the men standing in place and the camp’s soldiers running, crying out, and fleeing.

The narrator describes the scene after Gideon’s men sound their trumpets and shout in verse 20. “Every man in his place” pictures the men stationed around the camp, rather than rushing into its center. The cries in verse 21 come from the enemy army, identified in the passage as Midian and its allies.

Why Judges 7:21 matters

  • The verse distinguishes Gideon’s men from the fleeing army. The first group stands “round about the camp,” while “all the host” runs from within it.

  • The sudden disorder sets up what happens next. Verse 22 says the enemy soldiers turn their swords against one another, showing how the confusion affects the battle.

Where else these words appear

“cried” Hebrew H7321 · used in 42 verses

  • Numbers 10:7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
  • Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
  • Psalms 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

“ran” Hebrew H7323 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • 2 Samuel 18:23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
  • Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

“fled” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 9:21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.