Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 7:2
And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that [are] with thee [are] too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
2. The people that are with thee ] Whatever is to be understood by these words in Jdg 7:1, here they must refer to the host mentioned in Jdg 6:35.
lest Israel vaunt themselves against me ] For the thought cf. Deu 8:11-17; Deu 9:4 f.; the same word vaunt occurs in Isa 10:15. The army is to be reduced in order that Jehovah’s intervention on behalf of Israel may be the more striking and all the glory His; cf. 1Sa 14:6, Psa 44:3, 1Co 1:25-27.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. The people that are with thee are too many] Had he led up a numerous host against his enemies, the excellence of the power by which they were discomfited might have appeared to be of man and not of God. By the manner in which this whole transaction was conducted, both the Israelites and Midianites must see that the thing was of God. This would inspire the Israelites with confidence, and the Midianites with fear.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Too many for me, i.e. for my purpose; which is, so to deliver Israel, that it may appear to be my own miraculous act, that so I may have all the glory of it, and they may be more strongly obliged to love and serve me.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. the Lord said unto Gideon, Thepeople . . . are too manyAlthough the Israelitish armymustered only thirty-two thousand (or one-sixth of the Midianitishhost), the number was too great, for it was the Lord’s purpose toteach Israel a memorable lesson of dependence on Him.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the Lord said unto Gideon, the people that are with thee are too many,…. It appears, by what follows, that there were 32,000 of them, which was but a small army to engage with one of 100,000 more than they; for such was the army of the Midianites and their associates, see Jud 8:10 but the people were too many, says the Lord,
for me to give the Midianites into their hands; who would be apt to ascribe the victory to themselves, and not to the Lord; to their number, strength, and valour, and not to the hand of the Lord:
lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, mine own hand hath saved me; or glory over me, take the glory from me, and ascribe it to themselves, boasting that by their power and prowess they had obtained the victory.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) The people that are with thee are too many for me.This must have put the faith of Gideon to a severe trial, since the Midianites were 135,000 in number (Jdg. 8:10), and Gideons forces only 32,000 (Jdg. 7:4).
Lest Israel vaunt themselves.See Deu. 8:17.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Lest Israel vaunt themselves As human nature is ever prone to do. Compare marginal reference.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Yahweh said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, my own hand has saved me.” ’
Gideon undoubtedly wondered whether his thirty two units would be sufficient. But Yahweh declared that they were too many. For He knew men’s hearts. He did not want them taking the credit on themselves. This was in fact further assurance that He was committed to victory, and demonstrated that His strength did not lie in numbers but in His own power. Gideon could take comfort in that.
“Lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me.” The unusual use of ‘Israel’ (unusual in Judges – see introduction) as the subject of an active verb stresses the theoretical nature of the idea being mooted. His covenant ‘children of Israel’ would not vaunt themselves against Him, only a rebel Israel.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 7:2. The peoplewith thee are too many for me It is equal to Omnipotence to save by many or few; but, designing in this case to make it alike conspicuous to the Israelites and the neighbouring nations, that the victory was wholly owing to his interposition, God was pleased to order it in such a manner, as to prove, beyond doubt, that he alone was the author of it.
REFLECTIONS.Gideon, now fully convinced of his mission, is in haste to execute it. At early dawn he rises, his army is drawn out, and his camp fixed near the well of Harod. Diligence in duty must follow faith in the promise. The disproportion was very great, indeed, between the hosts of Midian and Israel; but, instead of lessening, God will have it increased, that they may see it was not their own arm which saved them. For this purpose, God commands,
1. Proclamation to be made through the camp, for the fearful and faint-hearted to depart before the next morning. Gideon obeys, and more than two-thirds of this little army shamefully turn their backs, and embrace the offer. Probably they had run together in haste at first; but when they saw the numerous host of Midian, wished themselves safe at home again. Note; (1.) Many take up with the profession of Christ’s service, who have never weighed the consequence, and therefore quickly start aside like a broken bow. (2.) They who are enslaved by the fear of man, are better out of God’s camp than in it, as their fearfulness is apt to be contagious, and to discourage the faithful.
2. Ten thousand remained, and these were yet too many: they might think their valour made up for the want of numbers, and ascribe the victory to themselves; therefore, another separation is made, by bringing them to the water to drink, and selecting those who lapped out of their hands from those who kneeled down to drink, which reduced their numbers to 300 men, and all the rest were dismissed. Thus Gideon’s faith was eminently displayed, and his readiness to trust the matter entirely with God appeared. Note; (1.) God’s ways are often mysterious, and he reduces his people to the greater straits, that his own glory may the more be magnified in their preservation. (2.) When faith is in exercise, no difficulties will make us stagger at the promise.
3. The 300 that remain when their brethren have been dismissed, are also in no wise accoutred as combatants. They are armed with trumpets instead of swords, and carry their victuals in their hands, as if God had designed that they should spend the day with music and feasting, instead of meeting their enemies in a field of battle. Note; (1.) God’s work is often accomplished by the most unlikely means. (2.) When God commands to arms, and appoints our weapons, we may safely advance against our most formidable enemies, though armed only with a trumpet, or five smooth stones.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Observe how graciously the Lord follows up the first tokens of his grace with the after actings of his favor. But I would have the Reader more particularly remark how the Lord deals with his people in the trials of their faith; even by a method which proves the reverse of human policy. While Midian was so numerous, who would have thought of lessening an army against them. But Reader! look at this scripture spiritually, and see if the same direction be not held forth to every warrior in the holy army of Jesus. Faith sends everything back but Jesus. All the success of the believer is in him, and in the power of his strength. “They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, ” is the motto of all the holy army in heaven. Rev 12:11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 7:2 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that [are] with thee [are] too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
Ver. 2. Are too many. ] They thought themselves too few, and therefore feared. God’s thoughts are not as man’s thoughts: he never complaineth of too few: but saith, as that general did to his fearful soldiers, How many reckon you me for? I alone am a whole army of men. Isa 52:12
Lest Israel vaunt themselves.
Mine own hand hath saved me.
a Dio. Euripides.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. lest, &c. This is the real reason of this direction.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
too many: 1Sa 14:6, 2Ch 14:11, Zec 4:6, Zec 12:7, 1Co 1:27-29, 1Co 2:4, 1Co 2:5, 2Co 4:7, 2Co 10:4, 2Co 10:5
Israel: Deu 32:27, Isa 2:11, Isa 2:17, Jer 9:23, Rom 3:27, Rom 11:18, 1Co 1:29, Eph 2:9, Jam 4:6
Mine own: Deu 8:17, Isa 10:13, Eze 28:2, Eze 28:17, Dan 4:30, Hab 1:16
Reciprocal: Exo 8:9 – Glory over me Num 31:4 – a thousand Deu 2:33 – the Lord 1Ki 17:9 – widow woman Job 32:13 – Lest Psa 33:16 – no king Isa 9:21 – Ephraim 1Co 1:25 – the foolishness
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 7:2. The people that are with thee are too many The army consisted of thirty-two thousand men, a small army in comparison of what Israel might have raised on so great an occasion, and a very small one in comparison with that which the Midianites had now brought into the field. Gideon, doubtless, was ready to think they were too few; but God comes to him and tells him they were too many. It is indeed the same thing with God to save by many or by few; but man being prone to attribute every thing to natural causes rather than to God, it is one great design of God in all his dispensations, both of providence and grace, to counteract this evil disposition in our nature which robs God of his glory, and to cause us to consider him, and see his hand more in all things.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
7:2 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that [are] with thee [are] too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel {a} vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
(a) God will not that any creature deprive him of his glory.