Breakdown of Judges 7:12

"And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance." — This verse describes the enemy as "like grasshoppers" and their camels like "sand." It’s easy to focus on the sheer number, but notice the type of imagery used: grasshoppers and sand are common, ev…

Judges 7:12 Meaning Explained

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Judges 7:12

And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.

English Standard Version (ESV)

This verse describes the enemy as "like grasshoppers" and their camels like "sand." It’s easy to focus on the sheer number, but notice the type of imagery used: grasshoppers and sand are common, even ordinary elements. This highlights how God can use overwhelming numbers from seemingly insignificant sources to achieve His purposes, a powerful contrast to Gideon’s small force.

What Judges 7:12 means

Gideon, having been encouraged by divine reassurance and a dream interpreted by the enemy themselves, now surveys the vast enemy camp. This overwhelming sight—Midianites, Amalekites, and all the peoples of the East—stretched out in the valley like countless locusts with innumerable camels, highlights the immense odds against his small force. This moment immediately precedes Gideon's daring night raid, underscoring the sheer audacity of his plan.

Understand the original words

Original language

Midianitesמִדְיָן

Midyan · Hebrew Noun

Nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes associated with the wilderness, often acting as adversaries to Israel; in this context, they represent a vast, oppressive enemy force.

Amalekitesעֲמָלֵק

Amaleq · Hebrew Noun

An ancient, desert-dwelling people often aligned against Israel; they represent the external threats and enemies of God’s covenant people.

locustsאַרְבֶּה

arbeh · Hebrew Noun

A common biblical simile for a vast, innumerable, or overwhelming multitude that consumes or destroys, often highlighting human helplessness without divine intervention.

Historical context

Written: Likely compiled during the period of the Monarchy, around the 10th to 7th centuries BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel, though scholars suggest it may be a compilation of various authors and traditions.
Location: The events described take place in the Valley of Jezreel, written from within Israel.
Genre: Narrative history, featuring vivid descriptions and hyperbole to emphasize the immense enemy numbers.

Key themes

01Overwhelming enemy numbers
02God's chosen deliverer
03Vastness of God's creation

Cross-references

Genesis 22:17

This verse also uses the imagery of sand by the sea to describe an immense, uncountable number, mirroring the description of the Midianite army's camels and emphasizing God's power to multiply His people and His blessings beyond measure.

Numbers 22:4-5

Here, Balaam prophesies Balak's great victory, mentioning a people as numerous as the sand by the sea. This highlights a similar theme of overwhelming opposition that God's people would face, and the need for divine intervention.

Isaiah 10:22

This passage speaks of a remnant of Israel returning, contrasting with the vastness of their oppressors. It echoes the situation in Judges where a seemingly small force (Gideon's army) faces an overwhelming enemy.

Jeremiah 50:37

This verse describes the destruction of Babylon, calling its army 'destroyers' and comparing their multitude to cattle in a meadow. It uses the concept of vast numbers being overcome, mirroring the defeat of the seemingly innumerable Midianites.

Scholarly commentary

Judges 7:9-15: "And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand."

Jud 7:9-15. He Is Encouraged by the Dream and the Interpretation of the Barley Cake.9, 10. Arise, get thee down unto the host … But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant—In ancient times it was reckoned no degradation for persons of the highest rank and character to act as spies on an enemy's camp; and so Gideon did on…
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Judges 7:12: "And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude."

the Midianites and the Amalekites … lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number—a most graphic description of an Arab encampment. They lay wrapt in sleep, or resting from their day's plunder, while their innumerable camel…

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