Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Gideon Encouraged by the Dream. JUDGES VIII. The Ephraimiies Offended, but Pacified.
The people are too many— Although the Israelitish army mustered ouly 32,00(1—or one-sixth of the Mldianmore terrible than ever by the use of such striking words, broke through the stillness of the midnight air; the sleepers started from their rest; not a blow was dealt by the Israelites ; but the enemy ran tumultuously, uttering the wild, discordant cries peculiar to the Arab race. They fought indiscriminately, not knowing friend from foe; the panic being universal, they soon precipitately fled, directing their flight down to the Jordan, by the foot of the mountains of Ephraim, to places known as the "house of the acacia," and "the meadow of the dance." 33. the men of Israel gatliered tliemselves togetlier These were evidently the parties dismissed, who liaving lingered at a little distance from the scene of contest, now eagerly joined in the pursuit south-westward through the valley. !24:. Gideon sent messengers tlirougliont all Mount Ephraim—The Ephraimites lay on tlie south, and could render seasonable aid. come, take before tliem the viaters unto Beth-barah (8ee on c)i. 3. 2S)— these were the northern fords of the Jordan, to the east-north-east of wady Maleh. the men of Epliraim gathered themselves together unto Beth-barnli—
Itish host—the number was too great, for it was the Lord's purpose to teach Israel a memorable lesson of dependenee on Him. 3. Now tlierefore proclaim In the ears of tlie people, saying, Whosoever Is fearful, let him retnm—This proclamation was in terms of an established law (Deuteronomy 20.8). too many—Two reductions were ordered, the last by the application of a test which was made known to Gideon alone, bring them down to the water—The wandering people in Asia when, on a journey or in liaste, they come to water do not stoop down with deliberation on their knees, but only bend forward as much as is necessary to bring their hand in contact with the stream, and throw it up with rapidity, and at the same time such address that they do not drop a particle. The Israelites, it seems, were acquainted with the practice; and those who adopted it on this occasion were selected as fit for a work that required expedition the rest were dismissed according to the Divine direction.
7. the Lord said, By the three hundred men that lapped %vill I save you—It is scarcely possible to conceive a severer trial than the command to attack the overwhelming forces of the enemy with such a handful of followers. But Gideon's faith in the Divine assurance of victory was steadfast, and it is for this he is so highly commended (Hebrews 11. 32). 8. the host of Mldian was beneath Itim in the valley—Attention to the relative position of the parties is of the greatest impoi-tance to an understanding of wliat follows.
new conflict ensued, in which two secondary cliifls were seize<l,and slain on the spots where they were respectively taken. The spots were named after these chiefs, Oreb, " the Raven," and Zeeb, " the Wolf"—appropriate designations of Arab leaders.
CHAPTER VIII.
Ver. 1-9. The Ephraimites Offended, but Pacikiicd
1. the men of Ephraim said. Why liast tliou sei ved us thusi—Where this complaint was made, whether belore or after the crossing of the Jordan, cannot be determined. By the overthrow of the national enemy, the Ephr.ii mites Were benefited as largely as any of the other neighbouring tribes. But, piqued at not having been sharers in the gloi'y of the victory, their leading men could not repress their wounded pride; and the occasion only served to bring out an old and deeply-seated feeling of jealous rivalry that subsisted between the tribes (Isaiah 9. 21). The discontent was groundless, for Gideon acted according to Divine directions—and, besides, as their tribe was conterminous with that of Gideon, they miglit, had they been really fired with the flame of patriotic zeal, have volunteered their services in a movement against tne common enemy. 3, 3. he said. What liave I done now in comparison of you 1—His mild and truly modest answer breathes the spirit of a great as well as good man, who was calm, collected, and self-possessed in the midst of most exciting scenes. It succeeded in throwing oil on the troubled waters (Proverbs 16. 1), and no wonder, for in the height of generous self-denial, it ascribes to his querulous brethren a greater share of merit and glory than belonged to himself (1 Corinthians 13. 4 ; Philemon 2. 3). 4. Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over—Much exhausted, but eager to continue the pursuit till the victory was consummated. 5. he said unto tlie men of Succoth —i. e., a place of tents or booths. The name seems to have been applied to the whole part of the Jordan valley on the west, as well as on the east side of the river, all belonging to the tribe of Gad (cf. Genesis 33. 17; 1 Kings 7. 46; with Josliua 13. 27). Being engaged in the common cause of all Israel, he had a right to exjject support and encouragement from his countrymen everywhere. G. the princes of Succoth said. Are tlie hands of Zebali and Zalinunna now in thine hand—An insolent as well as a liiiK^-.'^erving reply. It was insolent, because it implied a bitter taunt that Gideon was counting with confidence on a victory which they believed he would not gain; and it was time-serving, because living in the near neighbourhood of the Midianite slieicks they dreaded the future vengeance of those roving chiefs. This contumelious manner of acting was heartU'ss and disgraceful in people who were of Israelitish blood. 7. I will tear your Hesh witli the thorns of the wilderness, and with briers—A cruel torture, to which captives were often subjected in ancient times, by having thorns and briers placed on their naked bmlles.and pressed down by sletlges, or heav.y implemenU
9-15. He is Encouraged by the Dkeam and the Interpretation of the Barley Cake. 9. arise, get thee down unto the host . . . but if thou fear to go doi%'n, go thou with Pliurah thy servant—In ancient times it was reckoned no degradation for persons of the highest rank and character to act as spies on an enemy's ciunp; and so Gideon did on this occasion. But the secret errand was directed by God, who intended that he should hear something whicli might animate his own and the valour of his troops. 11. the outside of the armed men that were in the host—"Armed," means embodied under tlie five officers established by the ordinary laws and usages of encampments. The camp seems to have been unprotected by any rampart, since Gideon had no difficulty in reaching and overhearing a conversation that was passing in one of them. 11. The Midianites and the Amalekites lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and tlteir camels witltout number—A most grapliic description of an Arab encampment. They lay wrapt in sleep, or resting from their day's plunder, while their innunierable camels were stretched round about them. 13. I dreamed a dream; and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of niidian—This was a characteristic and very expressive dream for an Arab in the circumstances. The rolling down the hill, striking against the tents, and overturning them, natujrally enough connected it in liis mind with the position and meditated attack of the Israeliti.sh leader. The circumstance of the cake, too, was very significant. Barley was usually the food of the poor, and of beasts ; but most probabI.y, from the widespread destruction of the crops by the invaders, multitudes must have been reduced to poor and scanty fare. 15. wlien Gideon heard tlie telling of the dream, and tlie inf eii>retation, he worshipped—The incident originated in the secret overruling providence of God, and C!ideon, from his expression of pious gratitude, regarded it as such. On his mind, as well as that of his followers, it ))roduced the intended ellect—that of imparting new animation and im-
• pnlse to their patriotism.
16-21. His Strataoem aoainst MiniAN. 16. he divided the three hnndred men into three companies— The object of dividing his forces was, that they might seem lo be surrounding the enemy. The pitchers were empt.v to conceal the torches, and made of earthenware, BO as to be easily broken; and the sudden blaze of the hcld-up lights—the loud echo of the trumpets, and tlie abouts of Israel, always K'rrlble (Xumljers 2J. 21), and now