Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 7:3
Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever [is] fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
3. trembling ] Hebr. rd, with pointed reference to the name of the spring r d. The sentence ‘whosoever is fearful let him return’ closely resembles Deu 20:8, and may allude to the ordinance there laid down.
and depart from mount Gilead ] The verb ( afar) occurs only here, and its meaning must be guessed from the context; the renderings ‘depart early’ (AV. following Kimchi, from Aram. afra ‘morning’), or ‘go round,’ or ‘spring away from’ (Arab. afara ‘leap’) are impossible or very doubtful. Moore’s emendation ‘And Gideon tried ( araf) them’ is adopted by many, but the ‘testing,’ appropriate in Jdg 7:4, is not suitable here. Mount Gilead is probably a mistake for mount Gilboa, for Gilead was a district on the east of the Jordan.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The proclamation was in accordance with the Law (see the marginal reference). No mountain of the name of Gilead is known in this locality, and it has been conjectured that the right reading is Gilboa. Others think that this may be a form of proclamation customary in Manasseh.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let ham return – from Mount Gilead] Gideon was certainly not at Mount Gilead at this time, but rather near Mount Gilboa. Gilead was on the other side of Jordan. Calmet thinks there must either have been two Gileads, which does not from the Scripture appear to be the case, or that the Hebrew text is here corrupted, and that for Gilead we should read Gilboa. This reading, though adopted by Houbigant, is not countenanced by any MS., nor by any of the versions.
Dr. Hales endeavours to reconcile the whole, by the supposition that there were in Gideon’s army many of the eastern Manassites, who came from Mount Gilead; and that these probably were more afraid of their neighbours, the Midianites, than the western tribes were; and therefore proposes to read the text thus: Whosoever from Mount Gilead is fearful and afraid, let him return (home) and depart early. So there returned (home) twenty-two thousand of the people. Perhaps this is on the whole the best method of solving this difficulty.
There returned of the people twenty and two thousand] Gideon’s army was at this time thirty-two thousand strong, and after the above address twenty-two thousand went away. How astonishing, that in thirty-two thousand men there should be found not less than twenty-two thousand poltroons, who would neither fight for God nor their oppressed country! A state of slavery debases the mind of man, and renders it incapable of being influenced by the pure principles of patriotism or religion. In behalf of the army of Gideon we may say, if the best appointed armies in Europe had the same address, bona fide, from their generals as the Israelites had, at least an equal proportion would return home.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Mount Gilead; not that famous Mount Gilead which was beyond Jordan; for it is apparent that both the camps of the Israelites and of the Midianites were on this side Jordan: but another Mount Gilead in the tribe of Manasseh; which might be so called, either for some resemblance it had with the other Mount Gilead, or in remembrance of their father Gilead; or that this might be a memorial of their near relation to their brethren, notwithstanding their being divided one from another by Jordan; or for some other reason now unknown at this distance of time and place. Or, the words may be rendered towards Mount Gilead; for the Hebrew particle mid, or mere, is sometimes rendered towards, of which see Gen 11:2; 13:11; Deu 32:2; 2Sa 6:2. And so it may be understood of the famous Mount Gilead beyond Jordan, which he may mention here, either,
1. Because many of his soldiers were of that half tribe of Manasseh which dwelt there, and so it was most proper for them to return thither; or,
2. Because that was their safest course, to get furthest from the danger which they feared; or,
3. Because though he would remove them from danger, yet he would not have them dispersed, but kept together in a body about Mount Gilead; knowing that they who had not courage enough to fight their enemies, might have valour enough to pursue them when they were beaten by others; and suspecting that the Midianites, if beaten, would probably flee that way.
Twenty and two thousand; who finding their whole army to be very small in comparison of their enemys, who were a hundred and thirty-live thousand, Jdg 8:10, and they, no doubt, well armed and disciplined, and encouraged by long success; whereas the Israelites were dispirited with long servitude, and many of them unfurnished with arms and provisions, lost the courage which in the beginning they seemed to have.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Now therefore . . ., proclaim inthe ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful . . . let himreturnThis proclamation was in terms of an established law (De20:8).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people,…. Such a proclamation as follows, was, according to the law of God, to be made when Israel went out to battle against their enemies, De 20:8; though it looks as if Gideon would not have made such proclamation, had he not been directed to it by the Lord, his army being so small in comparison of the enemy; and perhaps Gideon might understand that law to have respect only to war made for the enlargement of their country, and not for defence against invaders:
saying, whosoever is fearful and afraid; to, engage in battle, because of the number of the enemy:
let him return, and depart early from Mount Gilead; where it seems they now were, being the same with the hill of Moreh, or adjoining to it; a mountain in the tribe of Manasseh, so called either from its likeness to Mount Gilead on the other side Jordan; or rather in memory of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, from whence the half tribe sprung, which was on this side, as well as that on the other; and perhaps this name might be given to the mount, to show that they were of the same tribe, though separated by Jordan: now the fearful and faint hearted had leave given them by this proclamation to return home directly; and as both armies lay so near, and it might reasonably be expected the battle would be the next day, they are directed to get away in the morning, as early as they could, that they might not be seen, and so be filled with shame themselves, and discourage others. Though some think Mount Gilead, on the other side Jordan, is meant, from whence it is supposed many came to Gideon, Jud 6:35 and now are ordered to return back, as many as were fearful; and instead of “from”, they render the word “to”, or “towards”, or “beyond” Gilead. Kimchi thinks the word we render “depart early” has the signification of surrounding, a diadem being expressed by a word from hence, which encompasses the head, Isa 28:5 and so the sense is, that they were ordered to go round about Mount Gilead, and so return home; but it rather may signify their hasty departure and speedy flight, like that of a bird, Ps 11:1 and there returned of the people 22,000, and there remained 10,000; so that they were in all 32,000: now though these of their own accord came and joined Gideon with an intention and resolution to stand by him, and fight the enemy, yet when they came and saw what a large host they had to engage with, and how small the army was with Gideon, their hearts failed them, and they were glad to take the advantage of the proclamation.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) Whosoever is fearful and afraid.This proclamation is in exact accordance with Deu. 20:8 (and the other general directions in that chapter). It is there founded on the psychological observation that cowardice is exceedingly contagious, so that the presence of timid men in an army is a source of direct danger. The same rule was rigidly observed by the faithful Judas Maccabus (1Ma. 3:56). Epaminondas, for the same reason, made the same proclamation before the battle of Leuctra. In this instance there was the further reason given in the previous verse. The ancients had observed that even when there are many legions it is always the few that win the battle (Tac. Ann. xiv. 36).
Depart early.The Hebrew word tsaphar occurs here only. The Chaldee explains it by tsiphra, in the morning; and Abarband says that this injunction was given in order that they might not incur shame when they retired. The rendering hastily is explained to mean like a bird (tsippor). Keil, connecting it with an Arabic root, makes it mean slink away by bye-paths. It seems to involve a shade of contemptLet him take himself off. (Trolle sich: Cassel.)
From mount Gilead.This expression has caused great difficulty, but the Hebrew cannot mean to mount Gilead, nor yet beyond mount Gilead. The only tenable solution of the difficulty is, (1) to alter the text into mount Gilboa (Clericus), or from meehar, from mount, to maheer, speedily (Michaelis); or (2) to suppose that mount Gilead was a rallying-cry of the Manassites in general, for Gilead was a son of Abiezer (Num. 26:30, where Jeezer is merely an error); and hence was derived the name Gilead of the trans-Jordanic district which fell to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Jos. 17:5-6). If this be a true conjecture, the phrase let him depart from mount Gilead means let him leave the camp of Manasseh. One more conjecture is that Gilead is an ancient name for Gilboa (Schwarz).
There returned of the people twenty and two thousand.No detail could more decisively show the terror struck into them by the sight of the Midianite host. They looked on them with the same alarm with which the Greeks, before Marathon, used to gaze on the Persian dress. It must not, however, be supposed that all the defaulters went straight to their homes. Doubtless many of them took part in the pursuit which made the victory decisive.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Whosoever is fearful and afraid The word rendered afraid is identical with the name Harod, given to the fountain in Jdg 7:1, and hence some have supposed that the fountain took its name fount of trembling from the fears and tremblings of the people on this occasion. The same word is used of Saul’s trembling on the same battlefield. 1Sa 28:5.
From Mount Gilead This expression it is difficult to understand, since Mount Gilead is beyond the Jordan, and the Israelites were now at Mount Gilboa. The most natural supposition is, that the word Gilead is an error in the text, and we should read Gilboa. Le Clerc, Houbigant, Geddes, and others, adopt this conjectural reading. But as there is no authority for such a change of the text, some have supposed that there was a mountain by the fountain of Harod called Gilead, of which no other trace remains. Ewald suggests that the phrase “Mount Gilead” had become a synonym for the tribe of Manasseh, and is here used as a sort of war-cry for the tribe. This bidding the cowardly depart lest they should intimidate the rest was commanded even in the law. Deu 20:8.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people saying, whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return, and depart (or ‘chirp’ – from the Arabic) from Mount Gilead.”
This was in accordance with Deu 20:8. The purpose was so that they might not spread fear among the remainder.
“Depart from Mount Gilead (gl‘d).” It is quite possible that those living in the area had called a nearby mountain after their ancestor Gilead (Num 26:29). Abiezer was descended from Gilead (Num 26:30 with Jos 17:2). There was a more famous Mount Gilead elsewhere (Gen 31:21). Some have suggested translating here ‘Mount Gal‘ud’ (the same consonants).
But the meaning of the verb translated ‘depart’ is unknown, and it is not found elsewhere. However, we can compare the later Arabic ‘to dance, leap, spring’ or ‘to chirp’. Thus the whole tenor of the phrase is uncertain. Perhaps it means ‘chirp from Mount Gilead’ in Transjordan, like a bird sitting watching from a place of safety. The idea being to picture the defaulters as taking refuge on Mount Gilead and chirping from there in safety as they watch the battle. Or perhaps the consonants need repointing and the ‘m’ (here translated ‘from’) be attached to ytspr instead. But the basic idea is clear. They could return home.
“And there returned of the people twenty two military units (‘thousands, clans, families”) and there remained ten units.’ Thus Gideon was now left with only ten military units. How his heart must have quailed when he saw two thirds of his fighting force depart. But Yahweh was also watching and His heart did not quail. In fact He decided that there were still too many. After all the enemy only had one hundred and thirty five military units of fighting men.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 7:3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever [is] fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
Ver. 3. Let him depart. ] Lest the rest be discouraged, for cowardice is catching. Deu 20:8 Judas Maccabeus made the like proclamation.
And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
mount Gilead. What was more natural than that the half tribe of Manasseh on the west side of Jordan should so name a mount in their tribe in compliment to the famous mount on the east side? (Gen 31:21-26; Gen 37:25. Num 32:1, Num 32:40. Deu 3:15. Jos 17:1). Gideon was of that tribe. Probably “the wood of Ephraim”, on east side; so named here out of compliment to the half tribe on west side (2Sa 18:6).
twenty = probably 20 + 2,000 = 2,020. Compare Jdg 12:6. 1Sa 6:19. If there remained 10,000, there must have been 10,000 + 2,020 = 12,020; and, as only 300 remained, 9,700 must have gone away at the second testing. Only 1,000 of each tribe = 12,000, sent out to fight in Num 31:4, Num 31:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Whosoever: Deu 20:8, Mat 13:21, Luk 14:25-33, Rev 17:14, Rev 21:8
mount Gilead: Gideon was certainly not at mount Gilead, east of Jordan at this time; but rather near mount Gilboa, west of Jordan. Calmet thinks there must either have been two Gileads, which does not appear from Scripture to have been the case, or that the Hebrew Text is corrupt, and that for Gilead we should read Gilboa. This reading, though adopted by Houbigant, is not confirmed by an manuscript or version. Dr. Hales endeavours to reconcile the whole, by the supposition that in Gideon’s army there were many eastern Manassites from mount Gilead, near the Midianites; and therefore proposes to read, “Whosoever from mount Gilead is fearful and afraid, let him return – homeand depart early.”
twenty: Mat 20:16
Reciprocal: Exo 13:17 – the people repent 1Sa 13:7 – followed him trembling
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 7:3. From mount Gilead Not that mount Gilead which was on the east side of Jordan, for the camps, both of the Israelites and Midianites, were on the west side of that river, in the land of Canaan; but another mount Gilead in the tribe of Manasseh. There returned of the people twenty and two thousand These, finding their whole army very small, in comparison of that of their enemies, who were a hundred and thirty-five thousand, (Jdg 8:10,) and all, no doubt, well armed and disciplined, and encouraged by long success, whereas the Israelites were dispirited with long servitude, and many of them unarmed, lost the courage which they had at first, and therefore returned.