MIDIAN - See Genesis 25:2 note. They were remarkable not only for the vast number of their cattle Judges 6:5; Numbers 31:32, but also for their great wealth in gold and other metal ornaments, showing their connection with a gold country. (Compare Numbers 31:22, Numbers 31:50, with Judges 8:24 :26.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The word rendered “dens” is only found in this passage. It is best explained of ravines hollowed out by torrents, which the Israelites made into hiding-places.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gaza indicates the extreme point south to which they spread their devastations, crossing the Jordan near Bethshan (Scythopolls), and entering by the valley of Jezreel, and sweeping along the whole of the maritime plain or Shephelah.... [ Continue Reading ]
GRASSHOPPERS - Rather locusts (compare Exodus 10:4, Exodus 10:14; Joel 1; Joel 2; Psalms 78:46)... [ Continue Reading ]
A PROPHET - His name is not given. (Compare 1 Kings 13.) This message is somewhat similar to that of the Angel, Judges 2:1. The reference to Exodus 20:2 is plain, and supposes the people to whom the prophet addresses these words to be familiar with the facts recorded in that text.... [ Continue Reading ]
A similar use of the name Amorite, instead of the more usual name Canaanite, occurs in Joshua 24:15, Joshua 24:18. Perhaps a special reason may be found for the use of Amorite, if the prophet was addressing those who dwelt in the mountains, where the Amorites chiefly dwelt. The idolatries of the Amo... [ Continue Reading ]
AN OAK - “The oak,” indicating it as a well-known tree, still standing in the writer’s days. There was another Ophrah in Benjamin Joshua 18:23. This Ophrah was in Manasseh, and was the village of Joash, the head, apparently, of the family of Abiezer, which was one of the families of Gilead, the son... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR - Known to God to be such, though as yet not known to be such either by himself or his countrymen (compare Luke 1:28, Luke 1:30).... [ Continue Reading ]
The extreme bitterness of the national sufferings under the Midianite occupation breaks out in Gideon’s language. The Angel’s words, suitable to times of prosperity, seemed to be a mockery, when it was evident the Lord was not with them. (Compare Deuteronomy 31:17.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD LOOKED UPON HIM - That gracious look conferred immediate strength (compare Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9; John 20:22; Acts 3:6) The change of phrase from “the angel of the Lord” to “the Lord” is remarkable. When messages are delivered by the Angel of the Lord, the form of the message i... [ Continue Reading ]
Gideon now perceived that the Lord was speaking to him by His angel. He saw, however, no qualifications in himself, or in his family or tribe, for the office of saviour to his people. He therefore desires some assurance that the message he had just received was indeed from God, and not a mere dream... [ Continue Reading ]
A SIGN - If the Angel ate of Gideon’s present it would be a conclusive proof of the reality of the vision. (Compare John 21:9; Luke 24:37; Acts 10:41.) It would also be a token of God’s goodwill to Gideon. Compare Genesis 18:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY PRESENT - My Minchah: the word used regularly, though not exclusively, for the meat and drink offering (Leviticus 2:1 note). Its double sense of an offering to God, and of a gift to man, suits the doubt in Gideon’s mind as to who his visitor might be.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNLEAVENED CAKES - As being much more quickly baked (compare Genesis 19:3) (and as connected with the meat offering). An ephah, containing 3 measures, was the quantity of flour commonly used at one baking Genesis 18:6; Exodus 16:16. PRESENTED IT - A word especially, though not exclusively, proper f... [ Continue Reading ]
POUR OUT THE BROTH - Libations were a very ancient form of offering (compare Genesis 35:14). The drink offerings of wine under the Levitical law were poured upon the altar Exodus 30:9. The pouring of the broth upon the rock was evidently of the nature of a libation. It might also, like the water pou... [ Continue Reading ]
ALAS, O LORD GOD! - Compare Joshua 7:7. “because I have seen an angel of the Lord” Compare the marginal references, in which the notion that it was death for mortal man to see God appears clearly. The same notion prevailed among the pagan.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gideon’s naming the altar which he built, in commemoration of the words of peace spoken by the Angel, is very similar to what we read of Abraham Genesis 22:14, and of Moses (Exodus 17:15, when he named the altar Jehovah-nissi).... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN - Rather, as in the margin, and. Two bullocks are spoken of. The labor of both would be required for pulling down and removing the altar of Baal, and for bringing the materials for building the altar of Yahweh. THE GROVE BY IT - Rather, “the idol upon it,” the Asherah, the wooden image of Asta... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE ORDERED PLACE - See the margin. “Build an altar, etc., with the materials,” “the wood laid in order” (compare Genesis 22:9), that, namely, which he would find ready to hand in the altar of Baal which he was to throw down. THE WOOD OF THE GROVE - “The (blocks of) wood of the idol,” i. e. the... [ Continue Reading ]
The mention of the “men of the city” by the side of Gideon’s “father’s household” suggests the probability of their being a remnant of the Canaanite population, and the special patrons of Baal-worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
From the boldness of Joash in defending his son, it is likely that the majority of the Abi-ezrites sided with him against “the men of the city,” and already felt drawn toward Gideon as their national and religious leader Judges 6:34. Joash appears as the chief magistrate of Ophrah. WILL YE PLEAD ..... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CALLED HIM - i. e. “He was called” Jerubbaal, as being the person against whom it was popularly said that Baal might strive. See margin.... [ Continue Reading ]
A fresh invasion, and the last, of Midianites Amalekites, and Arabs (see Judges 6:3). But the Israelites, instead of hiding in dens and caves, and tamely leaving all their substance as pIunder to the invaders, now rally around their leader.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 Judges 3:10, Jephthah Judges 11:29, and Samson Judges 13:25; Judges 14:6, Judges 14:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
His own tribe, Manasseh, and the three northern tribes of Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali hastened to join him. Issachar was probably unable to do so, because the Midianites were encamped in the heart of their country. Asher no longer “abode in his breaches,” as in the time of Jabin Judges 6:17, perhap... [ Continue Reading ]
The caution of Gideon, desirous of being assured that he really had a promise from God, does not imply doubts as to God’s faithfulness or power to fulfill His promise. Of such doubts there is not a trace in Gideon’s character. He is a worthy example of faith Hebrews 11:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
The threshing floors were and still are under the open air, and usually circular. The second sign Judges 6:40, would be more convincing than the former, because it is the nature of fleeces to attract and retain moisture.... [ Continue Reading ]