Judges 7:20 - The three companies blew the trumpets, broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow; and they shouted, “The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon!”
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What does "Judges 7:20" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Gideon and his small Israelite army facing the much larger Midianite forces. Let's break down the actions and their significance:
"The three companies blew the trumpets...": The sound of trumpets, particularly sudden and unexpected, would create a sense of alarm and a larger force.
"...broke the pitchers...": The breaking of clay pitchers was a key part of the plan. The pitchers likely concealed the torches. Breaking them simultaneously would create a sudden, bright flash of light. The noise of shattering pottery would also add to the chaos and confusion.
"...held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow...": This detail is crucial. The left hand holding the torch and the right hand the trumpet would create an impression that each soldier was equipped with a weapon that can light up the path and call for reinforcements.
"...and they shouted, 'The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon!'": This battle cry is the most important part of the verse, and has several layers of meaning:
"The sword of Yahweh...": This acknowledges that the victory is ultimately Yahweh's doing, God's intervention is the cause of the battle's conclusion. It signifies that they are fighting on God's behalf and that their strength comes from him.
"...and of Gideon!": This links Gideon to God's divine action. It is to say that Gideon is an agent chosen by God. This is important for establishing Gideon's authority and inspiring confidence in his leadership.
Overall Meaning and Interpretation:
The actions described in this verse are meant to create psychological warfare, and to hide the Israelite army's actual size. The trumpets and torches would create a loud and visually impressive spectacle, making the Midianites believe they were surrounded by a much larger force than was actually present.
The shout emphasizes that this is a holy war sanctioned and enabled by God. It reinforces the idea that their victory will be a testament to God's power, not their own strength.
In essence, this verse depicts a brilliant tactical maneuver, combining deception and faith to overcome a seemingly insurmountable enemy. It's a story about how God can use the weak and unlikely to accomplish his purposes.
Judges 7:20 - The three companies blew the trumpets, broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow; and they shouted, “The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon!”
What does "Judges 7:20" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Gideon and his small Israelite army facing the much larger Midianite forces. Let's break down the actions and their significance:
"The three companies blew the trumpets...": The sound of trumpets, particularly sudden and unexpected, would create a sense of alarm and a larger force.
"...broke the pitchers...": The breaking of clay pitchers was a key part of the plan. The pitchers likely concealed the torches. Breaking them simultaneously would create a sudden, bright flash of light. The noise of shattering pottery would also add to the chaos and confusion.
"...held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow...": This detail is crucial. The left hand holding the torch and the right hand the trumpet would create an impression that each soldier was equipped with a weapon that can light up the path and call for reinforcements.
"...and they shouted, 'The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon!'": This battle cry is the most important part of the verse, and has several layers of meaning:
"The sword of Yahweh...": This acknowledges that the victory is ultimately Yahweh's doing, God's intervention is the cause of the battle's conclusion. It signifies that they are fighting on God's behalf and that their strength comes from him.
"...and of Gideon!": This links Gideon to God's divine action. It is to say that Gideon is an agent chosen by God. This is important for establishing Gideon's authority and inspiring confidence in his leadership.
Overall Meaning and Interpretation:
The actions described in this verse are meant to create psychological warfare, and to hide the Israelite army's actual size. The trumpets and torches would create a loud and visually impressive spectacle, making the Midianites believe they were surrounded by a much larger force than was actually present.
The shout emphasizes that this is a holy war sanctioned and enabled by God. It reinforces the idea that their victory will be a testament to God's power, not their own strength.
In essence, this verse depicts a brilliant tactical maneuver, combining deception and faith to overcome a seemingly insurmountable enemy. It's a story about how God can use the weak and unlikely to accomplish his purposes.