And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.
Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, 'Come down and fight against the Midianites, and capture the river crossings at Beth-barah and the Jordan River before they can escape.' So all the men of Ephraim came together and seized control of the river crossings at Beth-barah and the Jordan.
Gideon is calling for reinforcements from the tribe of Ephraim to help cut off the Midianite army's escape routes by controlling the river crossings.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during Gideon's famous victory over the Midianites with just 300 men. After routing the enemy with God's miraculous help, Gideon strategically called upon the tribe of Ephraim to block the Midianites' retreat across the Jordan River. The hill country of Ephraim was located west of the Jordan, making them perfectly positioned to control these vital river crossings.
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