Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 6:34
But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abi-ezer was gathered after him.
34. the spirit of the Lord came upon ] lit. ‘put on as a garment,’ i.e. took possession of Gideon; cf. 1Ch 12:18, 2Ch 24:20. The verb is used in Syriac with the same metaphorical sense; e.g. ‘Ignatius, God-clad and martyr,’ a frequent expression in the Syr . fragments of the Ignatian Epistles 1 [38] . Cf. also Rom 13:14. For the spirit of the Lord see on Jdg 3:10.
[38] Lightfoot, Apostolic Fathers i. 184 190, iii. 100, 111.
blew a trumpet ] Cf. Jdg 3:27. Gideon’s own clansmen respond to the call; they seem to be the 300 who follow him in Jdg 8:4-21. This verse would form a suitable continuation of 11 24.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon – See the margin. The word contains a striking thought. It is different from that used in the case of Othniel Jdg 3:10, Jephthah Jdg 11:29, and Samson Jdg 13:25; Jdg 14:6, Jdg 14:19.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Jdg 6:34-35
He blew a trumpet, and Abi-ezer was gathered after him.
The muster
And what did he do? He seized a trumpet and blew a blast so loud that it startled the slumbering echoes of the hills, and stirred to the lowest depths the latent patriotism of the inhabitants of Abi-ezer. The martial notes of that shrill clarion as they pierced their ears operated like a charm on their minds, suffering as they were under the intolerable burden of suspense, not knowing how soon the enemy might be upon them, and might find them unprepared. Now their hearts beat strong with a new hope. Behold how suddenly and effectually the popular mind may undergo a thorough revolution! Where now were all their prejudices and fury and spite against Gideon? Before the startling peals of that trumpet blast they had vanished like a dream. Striking illustration of the expulsive power of a new affection or emotion of the mind! Yet a more striking illustration still of the truth to which we have already referred, namely, that God can make the very enemies of a godly man to be at peace with him, and even only too glad to come under his wing. See how they crowd around the man whom but yesterday they would have torn to pieces in expiation of his offence. Behold how readily they obey his summons, and how confidingly they look to him as the hero of the hour! So sure is real worth to rise to a premium in general esteem, when circumstances occur which call for more than ordinary wisdom, integrity, decision, fortitude, and nerve in the conduct of affairs. At such a time those who have contrived to suit themselves to the popular fancy during a season of ease and luxury are sure to be cast off, and men of sterner mould, men of high moral principle and integrity, men whose hearts are animated by the spirit of a hero, how ungainly soever the exterior beneath which they beat–men such as Havelock and Lawrence–are as sure to be in great demand, neglected though till then they may have been, and perhaps sneered at and despised by inferior souls. And in how many cases in the history of nations have such men as these–the Ezras, the Nehemiahs, the Jeroboams, the Gideons of our race–proved the right men in the right place, when elevated by a discerning country to that rank and authority and influence for which they were fitted above all others in virtue of their sterling worth. This is a lesson of too great importance to be lightly urged. How strikingly does the experience of Gideon, at this stage of his story, prove that no man who is conscious of being endowed with superior natural talents in combination with high moral principle should allow himself to be discouraged even though for a season he may fail to be duly appreciated by his fellow-men. Let him bide his time. Even in the piping times of peace, when there are no symptoms of coming convulsion, it is deemed the part of prudence to keep our arsenals well stored with the munitions of war, and standing army is maintained in continual readiness for whatever may occur. For who can tell how soon or how suddenly wild wars deadly blast may be blown, and its blood-hounds be let loose. And so it ought ever to be with body, soul, and spirit–the whole man. Reason, religion, experience, and common-sense, all combine to indicate that it is at once the duty and the interest of every one (leaving the future in the hands of God) to go straight forward in the improvement of all his talents and opportunities, and in the pursuit and practice of what is right, heedless of what men may say or do, satisfied that in due time God will secure for him the very place which it is fittest and best that he should occupy, in spite of all the opposition of earth or hell. (W. W. Duncan, M. A.)
The muster
What a strange, unwonted appearance must the market-place of Ophrah have presented at this juncture. The inhabitants had found something else to occupy them now than the martyrdom of Gideon. Rather than have injured a hair of his head, there was not one perhaps who would not have plucked out his eyes, and given them unto him, had the sacrifice been demanded, such and so general was the enthusiasm for him which now prevailed. As for ordinary business, it was in a great measure suspended, the grand business now in hand being to prepare for war. The sounds with which the ear must have been most familiar at that time were the ring of the anvil, the hiss of the grindstone, the shrill notes of the bugle and the clash of arms. And ever as a new arrival from distant parts took place, and ever as the colours of the different tribes that had received a summons were recognised, how would the air be rent with joyful acclamations. Here might be seen a band of stalwart shepherds and woodcutters from Lebanon, there a crew of sailors from the coasts of Asher. Yonder, streaming over the hills, eager to join their brethren, are a long line of fishermen from Zebulon and Naphtali, who have left their nets and boats on the shores of the sea of Galilee, accompanied by many of their own tribes of various grades and of various professions. All seem to be animated by one spirit–a spirit of patriotism, a desire to rid their beloved country at once and for ever of that hateful yoke under which for seven long years they had groaned, and thus to be restored once more to their ancestral liberties and rights. (W. W. Duncan, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 34. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon] He was endued with preternatural courage and wisdom.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Came upon Gideon, inspiring him with extraordinary wisdom, and courage, and zeal, to vindicate Gods honour and his countrys liberty. Compare 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 24:20.
Abi-ezer, i.e. the Abi-ezrites, his kindred, And their servants, and others; who finding no harm coming to him for the destroying of Baal, but rather a blessing from God, in giving him strength and courage for so great and dangerous an attempt, changed their minds, and followed him as the person by whose hands God would deliver them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
34. the Spirit of the Lord came uponGideonCalled in this sudden emergency into the public serviceof his country, he was supernaturally endowed with wisdom and energycommensurate with the magnitude of the danger and the difficulties ofhis position. His summons to war was enthusiastically obeyed by allthe neighboring tribes. On the eve of a perilous enterprise, hesought to fortify his mind with a fresh assurance of a divine call tothe responsible office. The miracle of the fleece was a veryremarkable oneespecially, considering the copious dews that fallin his country. The divine patience and condescension werewonderfully manifested in reversing the form of the miracle. Gideonhimself seems to have been conscious of incurring the displeasure ofGod by his hesitancy and doubts; but He bears with the infirmities ofHis people.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon,…. Not the spirit of prophecy, as Maimonides x, who calls this spirit the first degree of prophecy, but a spirit of fortitude and courage, as the Targum; the Spirit of God filled him, or, as in the Hebrew text, “clothed” y him with zeal, strength, and might, moved and animated him to engage with this great body of people come into the land, to ravage and waste it, and to attempt the deliverance of Israel from their bondage:
and he blew a trumpet; as an alarm of war, and as a token to as many as heard to resort to him, and join with him in the common cause against the enemy:
and Abiezer was gathered after him; the Abiezrites, one of the families of the tribe of Manasseh, of which Gideon and his father’s house were; and even it is probable the inhabitants of Ophrah, who were Abiezrites, being now convinced of their idolatry, and having entertained a good opinion of Gideon as a man of valour, and who, in the present emergence, they looked upon as an hopeful instrument of their deliverance, and therefore joined him.
x Moreh Nevochim, par. 2. c. 45. y “induit”, Pagninus, Montanus, c. Vid. Maimon. ut supra. (T. Bab. Temurah, fol. 28. 2. & 29. 1.) So Homer often represents his heroes as clothed with fortitude and courage see Iliad. 17.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(34) Came upon Gideon.Literally, clothed Gideon. See Jdg. 3:10 (Othniel); Jdg. 11:29 (Jephthah); Jdg. 13:25 (Samson). This forcible figure is found also in 1Ch. 12:18 ( Amasai); 2Ch. 24:20 (Zechariah); Psa. 59:17; and in the New Testament, Luk. 24:49 (endussthe); Gal. 3:27 (enedusasthe Christon); 1Pe. 5:5 (enkombsasthe).
Blew a trumpet.See Jdg. 3:27. The trumpet is shophar, or rams horn (LXX., keratine). Gideons call was two-fold: the first he had already obeyed in destroying the Baal-worship at Ophrah; he now begins to obey the second, which was to deliver his country.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
34. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon Literally, clothed him; wrapped him round as with a garment, or a strong coat of mail, so as to make him secure against his foes. Compare the same expression in 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 24:20; Luk 24:49.
Blew a trumpet The customary signal for calling troops together, or collecting an army. Comp. Jdg 3:27.
Abi-ezer was gathered That is the family or descendants of Abi-ezer, who dwelt in Ophrah. His own kindred were the first to rally around him; next his tribe, and then other tribes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ But the Spirit of Yahweh clothed Himself with Gideon, and he blew a trumpet (of ram’s horn) and Abiezer was gathered together after him.’
Yahweh now prepared to go into battle on behalf of Israel, in Gideon’s body through His Spirit. He ‘clothed Himself’ with Gideon. This did however require Gideon’s response and obedience. God does not force Himself on people. The result was that his own sub-tribe gathered in his support.
Word of his experiences and all that had happened to him had spread around and there was renewed hope in Yahweh at this hopeless time. Since being renamed Jerubbaal he had seemed only to prosper and Baal had been able to do nothing against him. This demonstrated clearly that Yahweh was with him. All the memories of what Yahweh had done in the past had come flooding back. And they were very conscious of the raiders again poised to strip them of everything.
“And he blew a ram” s horn, and Abiezer was gathered together after him.’ The call went out for them to gather to deal with the enemy in the name of Yahweh, and the first response came from his own sub-tribe. The Abiezrites were one of the sub-tribes of the tribe of Manasseh, to which Gideon and his father’s house belonged.
We are not specifically told that the people of Ophrah were reconciled to him, but they may well have been made to rethink by the course of events. When they cooled down they may well have felt that one who could stand against Baal, ‘the rider of the clouds’, in the name of Yahweh, could deal with this dreadful enemy who were ruining their lives. Baal was fine for producing crops but he seemed helpless against Gideon and against the Midianites.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 6:34. The spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon Or, according to the Hebrew and the LXX, the spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. He was replenished with courage and all other qualities necessary for a great commander.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
I beg the Reader to take notice of the expression, that the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon. Yes! it is that holy and eternal God, who worketh by his instruments through all the world of Providence and grace. Reader! be very earnest in your searchings, whether you are under his blessed influence. Eph 4:7 ; 1Co 12:1-11 ; Zec 4:6 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
Ver. 34. But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. ] Who had not his name for nought: for it signifieth a feller, or cutter down. He had manfully cut down Baal’s grove, and now God had brought him these barbarians that he might hew them down, and cut them in pieces: for which end also the Spirit of the Lord clothed him with wisdom, zeal, and fortitude.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Spirit = Hebrew. ruach. See App-9.
came upon = clothed (1Ch 12:18. 2Ch 24:20). Hebrew. labash, to put on so as to fill.
gathered: gathered by proclamation.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the Spirit: Jdg 3:10, Jdg 13:25, Jdg 14:19, Jdg 15:14, 1Sa 10:6, 1Sa 11:6, 1Sa 16:14, 1Ch 12:18, 2Ch 24:20, Psa 51:11, 1Co 12:8-11
came upon: Heb. clothed, Rom 13:14, Gal 3:27
blew: Jdg 3:27, Num 10:3
Abiezer: Jdg 6:11, Jdg 8:2, Jos 17:2
was gathered: Heb. was called
Reciprocal: Num 10:9 – oppresseth Num 26:30 – Jeezer Jdg 11:29 – the spirit 1Sa 13:3 – blew 1Ch 7:18 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and {o} Abiezer was gathered after him.
(o) The family of Abiezer, of which he was.