Study Desk

So Gideon built there an altar unto Yahweh, and called it, Yahweh-shalom. Unto this day, it remaineth, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

So Gideon took ten men from among his servants, and did as Yahweh had spoken unto him, - and so it was that, as he too much feared the house of his father, and the men of the city, to do it by day, he did it by night.

So they said, one to another, Who hath done this thing? And they inquired, and made search, and it was said, Gideon son of Joash, hath done this thing.

So the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring forth thy son, that he may die, - because he hath overthrown the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the sacred stem that was by it.

So he was called on that day, Jerubbaal, saying, - Let Baal, plead against him. Because he had overthrown his altar.

But, the spirit of Yahweh, clothed Gideon, - so he blew with a horn, and Abiezer was gathered after him.

And it was so, and he rose up early, on the morrow, and pressed together the fleece, - and wrung out the dew from the fleece, a small bowl full of water.

And God did so on that night, - and it was dry on the fleece alone, while, on all the ground, there was dew.

So he took down the people unto the waters, - and Yahweh said unto Gideon - Every one that lappeth with his tongue of the water, as a dog lappeth, thou shalt set him by himself, likewise, every one that boweth down upon his knees, to drink.

And so it was, that, the number of them that lapped with their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men, - but, all the rest of the people, bowed down on their knees, to drink water.

So the people took provisions in their hand, and their horns, but, every man of Israel besides, sent he away every man to his home, whereas, the three hundred men, he retained. Now, the camp of Midian, was beneath him in the vale.

so shalt thou hear what they shall say, - and, afterward, shall thy hands grow strong, and thou shalt go down against the camp. Then went he down, he and Purah his young man, unto the outmost part of the armed men that were in the camp.

And it was so, when Gideon heard the story of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he bowed himself down, - and returned unto the camp of Israel, and said - Arise! for Yahweh hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

Then he said unto them, On me, shall ye look, and, in like manner, shall ye do, - and lo! when I am coming unto the outermost part of the camp, then shall it be, that, as I do, so, shall ye do.

So Gideon came, and the hundred men that were with him, unto the outermost part of the camp, at the beginning of the middle watch, they had but, newly set, the watchers, - and they blew with the horns, and brake in pieces the pitchers, that were in their hand.

And, messengers, did Gideon send through all the hill country of Ephraim, saying - Go down to meet Midian, and capture, before them, the waters, as far as Beth-barah, and the Jordan. So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and captured the waters, as far as Beth-barah, and the Jordan.

So he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread to the people that are following me; for, faint, they are, and, I, am in pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

So he went up from thence, to Penuel, and spake unto them in like manner, - and the men of Penuel answered him, as had answered the men of Succoth.

So he spake to the men of Penuel also, saying, - When I return with success, I will break down this tower.

So Gideon went up by the way of the tent-dwellers, on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host, when, the host, had become secure.