Judges 6:2
And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to skim over the phrase "made for themselves," but it reveals a crucial point: the Israelites weren't just forced into hiding places; they actively adapted existing natural features like mountain dens and caves into their own refuges. This shows their desperate resourcefulness born from a deep, ingrained fear of the oppressors, a fear that pushed them to mimic the very creatures they sought to escape.
The people of Israel had once again fallen into widespread disobedience to God, leading Him to deliver them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years. This foreign oppression was so severe that the Israelites were forced to abandon their homes and villages, hiding in mountain caves and rocky strongholds to survive the Midianite raids. This dire situation sets the stage for God to raise up Gideon as a deliverer.
Imagine living in constant fear, your livelihood plundered, your safety in question. This was Israel's reality.
The book of Judges is full of cycles, and Judges 6:2 marks a severe downturn. The 'hand of Midian' wasn't just a military defeat; it was a systemic oppression that stripped the Israelites of their ability to live normally. They were forced to abandon their homes and fields, retreating to inaccessible places like mountains, caves, and strongholds. This wasn't just about hiding; it was about survival, a desperate measure born from overwhelming powerlessness.
This deepens our understanding of what 'prevailing' meant. It wasn't just winning battles, but dominating a people to the point where they had to abandon their God-given land and live like hunted animals. Their prosperity and peace were gone, replaced by the constant threat of invasion and the desperate need for refuge.
Beyond just physical hiding places, what did these 'dens' represent for Israel?
The act of 'making dens' signifies more than just finding shelter; it implies a level of adaptation to a life of fear and subjugation. The commentaries suggest these weren't necessarily newly dug caves, but existing natural formations that were modified and fortified for concealment. This speaks to Israel's ongoing, desperate efforts to survive under Midianite dominance.
This strategy of retreat and hiding was a stark contrast to the God-given inheritance of the Promised Land, which was meant to be settled and cultivated. By living in dens, caves, and strongholds, Israel was essentially relinquishing their claim to the land and living in a state of constant vulnerability. It was a physical manifestation of their spiritual condition – having turned away from God, they were left exposed and weak.
Understand the original words
azaz · Hebrew Verb
To prevail over, be strong against, or overcome someone; often used in the context of military oppression or dominating power.
This verse depicts a desperate time for Israel, where the persistent and overwhelming oppression by the Midianites forced them into hiding, turning the very landscape into a means of survival.
c. 11th century BC
Midianite Raids Begin
Nomadic tribes, including the Midianites, begin systematic raids into Israelite territory during harvest season, disrupting agriculture and seizing crops.
c. 11th century BC— this verse
Escalation of Midianite Oppression
The Midianite incursions intensify, with larger groups migrating into Israel with their families and livestock, effectively occupying and plundering the land for extended periods.
c. 11th century BC
Israelites Seek Refuge
To escape the constant threat and destruction by the Midianites, the Israelites are forced to abandon their homes and fields, retreating to hide in mountains, caves, and makeshift strongholds.
c. 11th century BC
Midianite Dominance Over Israel
The Midianites establish a strong dominance over Israel, lasting for seven years, severely weakening the nation and causing widespread devastation.
This passage directly echoes the desperate situation of the Israelites in Judges 6, highlighting how those of faith were forced into hiding in 'dens and caves of the earth' to escape persecution.
1 Samuel 13:6This verse describes a similar scenario where the Israelites, under pressure from the Philistines, had to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, and pits, illustrating a recurring theme of seeking refuge when oppressed.
Jeremiah 41:9Although a different context, this passage shows individuals fleeing to places of safety and hiding, such as 'the great ditch,' reflecting the instinct to seek refuge in concealed locations during times of danger, much like the Israelites fleeing the Midianites.
Matthew 24:16Jesus speaks of a future time of tribulation where those in Judea will need to flee to the mountains for safety, drawing a parallel to the desperate flight to mountain strongholds described in Judges 6.
jfbJudges 6:2: "And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds."
- made … dens … in the mountains and caves—not, of course, excavating them, for they were already, but making them fit for habitation.
gillJudges 6:2: "And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds."
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel,.... They were too strong for them, and overcame them, and brought them into subjection to them, and no wonder, when the Lord delivered them into their hand: and because of the Midianites; because of their usage of them, their manner of coming upon them yearl…
It's easy to skim over the phrase "made for themselves," but it reveals a crucial point: the Israelites weren't just forced into hiding places; they actively adapted existing natural features like mountain dens and caves into their own refuges. This shows their desperate resourcefulness born from a deep, ingrained fear of the oppressors, a fear that pushed them to mimic the very creatures they sought to escape.
The people of Israel had once again fallen into widespread disobedience to God, leading Him to deliver them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years. This foreign oppression was so severe that the Israelites were forced to abandon their homes and villages, hiding in mountain caves and rocky strongholds to survive the Midianite raids. This dire situation sets the stage for God to raise up Gideon as a deliverer.
The people of Israel had once again fallen into widespread disobedience to God, leading Him to deliver them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years. This foreign oppression was so severe that the Israelites were forced to abandon their homes and villages, hiding in mountain caves and rocky strongholds to survive the Midianite raids. This dire situation sets the stage for God to raise up Gideon as a deliverer.
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"And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds." — It's easy to skim over the phrase "made for themselves," but it reveals a crucial point: the Israelites weren't just forced into hiding places; they actively adapted existing natural features like mo…
