Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. New Living Translation It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. English Standard Version So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Berean Standard Bible Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. Berean Literal Bible And Gideon came, and the hundred men who were with him, to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the complete stationing of the guard. And they blew on the shofars and shattered the pitchers that were in their hands. King James Bible So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. New King James Version So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. New American Standard Bible So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle night watch, when they had just posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands. NASB 1995 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands. NASB 1977 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands. Legacy Standard Bible So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set up the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands. Amplified Bible So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when the guards had just been changed, and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands. Berean Annotated Bible Gideon (hewer) and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. Christian Standard Bible Gideon and the hundred men who were with him went to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch after the sentries had been stationed. They blew their ram’s horns and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. Holman Christian Standard Bible Gideon and the 100 men who were with him went to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch after the sentries had been stationed. They blew their trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. American Standard Version So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands. Contemporary English Version Gideon and his group reached the edge of the enemy camp a few hours after dark, just after the new guards had come on duty. Gideon and his soldiers blew their trumpets and smashed the clay jars that were hiding the torches. English Revised Version So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands. GOD'S WORD® Translation Gideon and his 100 men came to the edge of the camp. It was the beginning of the midnight watch just at the change of the guards. They blew their rams' horns and smashed the jars they were holding in their hands. Good News Translation Gideon and his one hundred men came to the edge of the camp a while before midnight, just after the guard had been changed. Then they blew the trumpets and broke the jars they were holding, International Standard Version So Gideon and the 100 men with him arrived at the outer perimeter of the encampment at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had posted sentries. They blew their trumpets and smashed the jars that they were carrying in their hands. NET Bible Gideon took a hundred men to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guards. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars they were carrying. New Heart English Bible So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands. Webster's Bible Translation So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came to the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleGideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. World English Bible So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch. Then they blew the trumpets and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Gideon comes—and the hundred men who [are] with him—into the extremity of the camp, [at] the beginning of the middle watch (they had just posted watchmen), and they blow with horns—also dashing in pieces the pitchers which [are] in their hand; Berean Literal Bible And Gideon came, and the hundred men who were with him, to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the complete stationing of the guard. And they blew on the shofars and shattered the pitchers that were in their hands. Young's Literal Translation And Gideon cometh -- and the hundred men who are with him -- into the extremity of the camp, at the beginning of the middle watch (it hath only just confirmed the watchmen), and they blow with trumpets -- dashing in pieces also the pitchers which are in their hand; Smith's Literal Translation And Gideon will go and the hundred men that are with him, to the extremity of the, camp, the beginning of the middle watch; only now rising up they raised up those watching: and they will strike upon the trumpets, and they brake the buckets that are in their hand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Gedeon, and the three hundred men that were with him, went into part of the camp, at the beginning of the midnight watch, and the watchmen being alarmed, they began to sound their trumpets, and to clap the pitchers one against another. Catholic Public Domain Version And Gideon, and the three hundred men who were with him, entered a portion of the camp, at the beginning of the watch in the middle of the night. And when the guards were alerted, they began to sound the trumpets and to clap the pitchers against one another. New American Bible So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the posting of the guards. They blew the horns and broke the jars they were holding. New Revised Standard Version So Gideon and the hundred who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo Gideon and the hundred men that were with him, came to the outside of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch; and they blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Gedun entered and a hundred men who were with him at the head of the camp in the middle watch and they securely set the guards OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch; and they blew the horns, and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Gedeon and the hundred men that were with him came to the extremity of the army in the beginning of the middle watch; and they completely roused the guards, and sounded with the horns, and they broke the pitchers that were in their hands, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gideon Defeats Midian…18When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’ ” 19Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!”… Cross References Gideon and the hundred men with him Judges 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” Judges 6:16 “Surely I will be with you,” the LORD replied, “and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man.” Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, reached the outskirts of the camp 2 Kings 7:5-7 So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found. / For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives. 1 Samuel 26:5-7 Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him. / And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” “I will go with you,” answered Abishai. / That night David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the troops were lying around him. 1 Samuel 14:13-14 So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. / In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land. at the beginning of the middle watch, Mark 13:35 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. Luke 12:38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed. Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street. just after the changing of the guard. 2 Kings 11:5-7 and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall guard the royal palace, / a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple— / the two divisions that would go off duty on the Sabbath are to guard the house of the LORD for the king. Nehemiah 4:21-23 So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. / At that time I also said to the people, “Let every man and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” / So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water. Acts 12:6-7 On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison. / Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. They blew their horns Joshua 6:4-5 Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. / And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.” 2 Chronicles 13:14-15 When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, / and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. Numbers 10:9 When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies. and broke the jars that were in their hands. Jeremiah 19:10-11 Then you are to shatter the jar in the presence of the men who accompany you, / and you are to proclaim to them that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I will shatter this nation and this city, like one shatters a potter’s jar that can never again be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room to bury them. Treasury of Scripture So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came to the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. in the beginning Exodus 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. they blew Judges 7:8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley. brake Judges 7:16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Jeremiah 13:13,14 Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness… Jump to Previous Beginning Blew Brake Broke Broken Camp Edge Hands Horns Hundred Jars Line Middle Newly Outer Outermost Outside Outskirts Part Pieces Pitchers Posted Reached Sounded Start Stations Tents Trumpets Vessels Watch WatchmenJump to Next Beginning Blew Brake Broke Broken Camp Edge Hands Horns Hundred Jars Line Middle Newly Outer Outermost Outside Outskirts Part Pieces Pitchers Posted Reached Sounded Start Stations Tents Trumpets Vessels Watch WatchmenJudges 7 1. Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand is brought to three hundred9. He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake 16. His plan of trumpets and lamps in pitchers 24. The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb Gideon and the hundred men with him Gideon, a judge of Israel, was chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. The number "hundred" signifies a small, divinely chosen group, emphasizing God's power rather than human strength. This reflects the biblical theme of God using the weak to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch just after the changing of the guard They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. Known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God, Gideon ultimately demonstrates faith and obedience. 2. The Hundred Men Part of the 300 men selected by God to accompany Gideon in the battle against the Midianites. Their small number highlights God's power in delivering victory through unlikely means. 3. The Camp Refers to the encampment of the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples who were oppressing Israel. The camp was vast and intimidating, emphasizing the miraculous nature of Israel's victory. 4. The Middle Watch A time during the night, typically from 10 PM to 2 AM, when the camp would be most vulnerable due to the change of guards and the deep sleep of the soldiers. 5. Trumpets and Jars Instruments used by Gideon and his men to create confusion and fear among the Midianites. The breaking of jars and the blowing of trumpets symbolize God's unconventional methods of warfare. Teaching Points God's Power in WeaknessGod often uses the weak and the few to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Obedience to God's Plan Gideon's victory was contingent upon his obedience to God's specific instructions, reminding us of the importance of following God's guidance even when it seems illogical. Faith Over Fear Gideon's initial fear was overcome by faith in God's promises, encouraging us to trust God in the face of overwhelming odds. Divine Timing The timing of the attack during the middle watch shows God's perfect timing in orchestrating events for His glory and our good. Symbolism of the Trumpets and Jars The use of simple tools to achieve victory illustrates how God can use ordinary things in extraordinary ways for His purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 7:19?2. How does Gideon's strategy in Judges 7:19 demonstrate reliance on God's guidance? 3. What can we learn about obedience from Gideon's actions in Judges 7:19? 4. How does Judges 7:19 connect to God's power in 2 Corinthians 12:9? 5. How can we apply Gideon's faith in God's plan to our daily challenges? 6. What role does timing play in God's victories, as seen in Judges 7:19? 7. How does Judges 7:19 demonstrate God's power through unconventional means? 8. What is the significance of the timing in Judges 7:19? 9. Why did God choose Gideon to lead the attack in Judges 7:19? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 7? 11. How could Shamgar realistically kill 600 Philistines with a single oxgoad (Judges 3:31)? 12. Psalm 68:1–2: How can the defeat of enemies described as “vanishing like smoke” be understood in light of historical or scientific plausibility? 13. 2 Kings 7:6–7 — What natural or historical explanation accounts for an entire army fleeing upon hearing mysterious sounds? 14. Judges 8:4–5: Could 300 men realistically pursue thousands of Midianites without proper resources or logistical support? What Does Judges 7:19 Mean Gideon and the hundred men• Gideon obeys the LORD’s pared-down battle plan, advancing with only a third of the already reduced three-hundred-man force (Judges 7:16–18; 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Corinthians 1:27). • The size of the group highlights that victory will be unmistakably God’s work, echoing the LORD’s earlier word: “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands” (Judges 7:2). Reached the outskirts of the camp • They stop just outside Midian’s encampment, close enough to strike yet far enough to view the enemy lines, paralleling Gideon’s earlier recon trip (Judges 7:11). • Positioning on the perimeter maximizes surprise, much like Israel’s silent march around Jericho before the trumpet blast (Joshua 6:11–20). At the beginning of the middle watch • The middle night watch (roughly 10 p.m.–midnight) begins “just after the changing of the guard,” a vulnerable moment when fresh sentries are adjusting and outgoing guards are distracted (Exodus 14:24; Mark 13:35; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). • God times the attack to exploit human weakness and sow confusion, reinforcing that He is the strategist behind Israel’s victories (Psalm 121:4). They blew their horns • Ram’s-horn trumpets signal both warfare and divine presence (Numbers 10:9; Joel 2:1). • The simultaneous blast from three groups encircling the valley magnifies perceived numbers, recalling the trumpet-led collapse of Jericho’s walls (Joshua 6:20). • For Israel the sound proclaims confidence in God; for Midian it is a terrifying alarm announcing defeat (Judges 7:22). And broke the jars that were in their hands • Each clay jar hides a torch; smashing them suddenly unveils blazing light surrounding the camp (Judges 7:20). • Light, sound, and surprise combine to create panic, fulfilling God’s promise to “deliver Midian into your hands” (Judges 7:7). • The fragile jars illustrate how God uses ordinary vessels to reveal His power, a pattern later echoed in “treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). summary Judges 7:19 shows God orchestrating every detail—troop size, position, timing, and tactics—so that victory rests wholly on Him. Gideon’s hundred men simply trust, obey, and act. The result is a dramatic display of divine power that turns weakness into triumph and fear into faith. (19) The middle watch.--The Jews anciently divided the night, from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M., into three watches (Exodus 14:24; 1Samuel 11:11). The subsequent division into four watches of three hours each was borrowed from the Romans (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48). At the beginning of the middle watch--i.e., soon after 10 at night--would be the time at which the host would be buried in their first sleep.They had but newly set the watch.--Literally, scarcely--or. "just in rousing they roused the watch." The attack took place at the moment of confusion caused by changing the watch. Verse 19. - The middle watch. The ancient Israelites divided the night into three watches of four hours each, from sunset to sunrise, i.e. from six p.m. to six a.m. The first watch, from six to ten, is not mentioned in the Old Testament; but we have the middle watch mentioned here (from ten to two), and the morning watch (from two till six): Exodus 14:24 and 1 Samuel 11:11. According to this, Gideon's attack would have taken place soon after ten p.m., or towards eleven, the time when the sleep would be the deepest, the watchmen of the first watch having lately fallen into their first sleep. The later Israelites adopted the Roman division of the night into four watches (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48; cf. Luke 12:38; Mark 13:35).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Gideonגִ֠דְעוֹן (ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1439: Gideon -- a judge of Israel and the hundred וּמֵאָה־ (ū·mê·’āh-) Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular Strong's 3967: A hundred men אִ֨ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person with him אִתּ֜וֹ (’it·tōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among reached וַיָּבֹ֣א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go the outskirts בִּקְצֵ֣ה (biq·ṣêh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7097: End, extremity of the camp הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה (ham·ma·ḥă·neh) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army at the beginning רֹ֚אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head of the middle הַתִּֽיכוֹנָ֔ה (hat·tî·ḵō·w·nāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 8484: Central watch, הָאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת (hā·’aš·mō·reṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 821: A night watch just after אַ֛ךְ (’aḵ) Adverb Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely the changing הָקֵ֥ם (hā·qêm) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand of the guard. הַשֹּֽׁמְרִ֑ים (haš·šō·mə·rîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to They blew וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ (way·yiṯ·qə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8628: To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman their trumpets בַּשּׁ֣וֹפָר֔וֹת (baš·šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 7782: A cornet, curved horn and broke וְנָפ֥וֹץ (wə·nā·p̄ō·wṣ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 5310: To dash to pieces, scatter the jars הַכַּדִּ֖ים (hak·kad·dîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 3537: A pail, earthenware, a jar that [were] אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that in their hands. בְּיָדָֽם׃ (bə·yā·ḏām) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3027: A hand Links Judges 7:19 NIVJudges 7:19 NLT Judges 7:19 ESV Judges 7:19 NASB Judges 7:19 KJV Judges 7:19 BibleApps.com Judges 7:19 Biblia Paralela Judges 7:19 Chinese Bible Judges 7:19 French Bible Judges 7:19 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 7:19 So Gideon and the hundred men who (Jd Judg. 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