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.
Gideon divided his three hundred men into three groups, and he gave each man a trumpet, an empty clay jar, and a torch hidden inside the jar.
Gideon is preparing his small army of 300 men with unusual weapons - trumpets, empty jars, and hidden torches - for a surprise attack against their enemies.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Judges, Gideon was a leader chosen by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites, who had been raiding and impoverishing the land for years. God instructed Gideon to drastically reduce his army from over 30,000 men to just 300, ensuring that the victory would be attributed to divine power rather than human strength. In Judges 7:16, Gideon prepares his small force by dividing them into three groups and equipping each man with a trumpet, an empty pitcher, and a lamp inside the pitcher for a clever nighttime surprise attack.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.