Judges 6:34

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.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Hebrew, clad Gideon.

The family of Abiezer, whereof he was.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon--Called in this sudden emergency into the public service of his country, he was supernaturally endowed with wisdom and energy commensurate with the magnitude of the danger and the difficulties of his position. His summons to war was enthusiastically obeyed by all the neighboring tribes. On the eve of a perilous enterprise, he sought to fortify his mind with a fresh assurance of a divine call to the responsible office. The miracle of the fleece was a very remarkable one--especially, considering the copious dews that fall in his country. The divine patience and condescension were wonderfully manifested in reversing the form of the miracle. Gideon himself seems to have been conscious of incurring the displeasure of God by his hesitancy and doubts; but He bears with the infirmities of His people.

Next: Judges Chapter 7

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 34. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon] He was endued with preternatural courage and wisdom.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(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 (endusçsthe); Gal_3:27 (enedusasthe Christon); 1Pe_5:5 (enkombôsasthe).

Blew a trumpet.—See Jdg_3:27. The trumpet is shophar, or ram’s horn (LXX., keratine). Gideon’s 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.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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 Epistles1[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.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he sent messengers through all Manasseh,.... Of which tribe he was; not only he called by the trumpet that part of the tribe, the Abiezrites, who were within the sound of it, but the rest of the tribe at a greater distance from him he sent messengers to, acquainting them with his design, and inviting them to his assistance. Some think this refers both to the half tribe of Manasseh within Jordan, and the other half tribe on the other side Jordan; but that is not very probable, only the half tribe within it is meant:

who also was gathered after him; obeying the summons and invitation he gave them by the messengers:

and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; which three tribes lay nearest to him on the north; but he sent not to the inhabitants of the tribe of Ephraim, which lay to the south, and which afterwards occasioned a quarrel, Jdg 8:1.

and they came up to meet them; that is, the inhabitants of the above three tribes, at least many of them, came up from the places of their habitations to meet Gideon, and those that were associated with him, at their place of rendezvous.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Him. He first calls his relations, and then the neighbouring tribes, to march against the enemy. He had before declared God’s orders, and was recognized as judge and deliverer of Israel; so that no one objects to his exercising this act of sovereignty.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Came upon Gideon, inspiring him with extraordinary wisdom, and courage, and zeal, to vindicate God’s honour and his country’s 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.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

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.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The Spirit of the Lord, etc. See Jud_1:3:10 11:29 13:25 14:6, 19; cf. Isa_11:2 Isa 61:1Jo Isa 20:22 Act_13:2 Act_20:28; and 1Co_12:4. Abi-ezer. His own family. (ver. 11; see Jos_17:2) In Num_26:30 the name appears as Jeezer, by a very defective transliterationAiezer represents the Hebrew letters. The b has probably fallen out by accident. Here we have the immediate fruit of Gideon s daring in the cause of God. The whole family of Abi-ezer, numbering probably thousands, sprang to his side.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The spirit came - Inspiring him with extraordinary wisdom, and courage, and zeal to vindicate God's honour, and his country's liberty. The Hebrew is, The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon; clothed him as a robe, to put honour upon him; clothed him as a coat of mail to put a defense upon him. Those are well clad that are thus clothed. Abiezer - That is, the Abiezrites, his kindred, and their servants, and others; who finding no harm coming to him for destroying Baal, but rather a blessing from God, in giving him strength and courage for so great an attempt, changed their minds, and followed him as the person by whose hands God would deliver them.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

came over Gideon

This is an idiom. AT: "took control of Gideon" (See: Idiom)

clan of Abiezer

Translate the name of this people group as you did in Judges 6:11.

so they might follow him

The words "to battle" are understood. AT: "so they might follow him to battle" (See: Ellipsis)

and they too, were called out to follow him

This can be stated in active form. AT: "calling them out to follow him" (See: Active or Passive)

to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali

These all represent the people of each tribe. AT: "to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali" (See: Metonymy)

translationWords

Holy Spirit

Yahweh

Gideon

trumpet

call

clan

send

messenger

Manasseh

Asher

Zebulun

Naphtali

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

The Divine spirit. The spirit of valor.

Aviezer gathered. The entire clan.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.