And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

JUDGES 7:22KJV
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Judges 7:22 (KJV)

What does Judges 7:22 mean?

Judges 7:22 describes how, after Gideon’s three hundred men blew their trumpets, the LORD caused confusion among the enemy army so that they turned their swords against each other and fled in panic toward distant places. This verse shows that the victory was brought about not by Israel’s strength, but by God’s intervention causing chaos among their foes.

In the story, Gideon is leading a tiny force against a much larger Midianite army. The three hundred Israelites each blow a trumpet, and God (the LORD) makes the Midianites so confused and afraid that they start fighting one another. The verse lists the places to which the enemy fled, showing how far and wide the panic spread.

The Hebrew behind Judges 7:22

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that it was God’s direct action, not just chance, that caused the confusion.
  • Set (שִׂים, sîm): This word means "to put" or "to set," and here it shows that the LORD actively turned the swords of the Midianites against each other, not just allowing but causing the chaos.
  • Sword (חֶרֶב, cherev) and fellow (רֵעַ, re‘a): The Hebrew words highlight that each man turned his weapon against his own companion, underlining the total confusion and breakdown of unity among the enemy.

Why Judges 7:22 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Israel won by military might; it emphasizes that God’s intervention was the decisive factor.
  • The detail about the enemy fleeing to specific places shows how complete and far-reaching the panic was, reinforcing the miraculous nature of the victory.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Gideon, where God repeatedly reduces Israel’s numbers to make it clear that the victory is His doing, not theirs.

Where else these words appear

“Abelmeholah” Hebrew H65 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
  • 1 Kings 19:16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

“blew” Hebrew H8628 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 31:25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
  • 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.
  • Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

“trumpets” Hebrew H7782 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
  • 2 Samuel 2:28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
  • Isaiah 27:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

“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.