The people are too many: by the water the three hundred that lapped are chosen; with shofars, torches within empty pitchers, and the cry 'For Hashem and for Gideon!', the camp of Midian is set running.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside En-harod; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them, by Gibeath-moreh, in the valley.
verse value 3952
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 76 letters. Verse gematria: 3952 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "you" (ה֣וּא, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·the·people" (וְכׇל־הָעָם֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 212: Harod, in·the·valley. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "upon·En-" (עַל־עֵ֣ין), "Harod" (חֲרֹ֑ד), "from·hill·of" (מִגִּבְעַ֥ת). 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "was·to·him" (root היה, 120x in Judges); "you" (root הוא, 71x in Judges). First appearance of the root חרד ("Harod") in Judges. First appearance of the root גבעה ("from·hill·of") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Harod', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 7 words.
Rashi
From the height of Moreh in the valley. (Targum:) That it overlooks the plain. "Moreh" is a term of pointing and sighting, like (Proverbs 6:13) "he motions with his fingers," for from there they watch and signal into the valley.
Radak
"From the hill of Moreh." [The Targum renders it] "migb'ata demistakya" [the hill of watching/lookout]; and it is possible that there was a watchman there, one who would show the way.
Metzudat David
"He had." [Midian's camp] stood to the north of Gideon, and the beginning of the place where they (Midian) stood was from "the Hill of Moreh," which stands in the valley.
Metzudat Zion
From Gibeath-moreh. A place name:
Malbim
From the north, from Gibeath-moreh. Ein Harod was to the south of Gibeath-moreh, and the camp was in the north, in the valley.
And Hashem said to Gideon: ‘The people that are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying: mine own hand has saved me.
verse value 5300
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 71 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5300 is divisible by 50, the years to the Jubilee (yovel). The shortest word is "great" (רַ֗ב, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Gideon" (אֶל־גִּדְע֔וֹן, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "from·giving" (מִתִּתִּ֥י), "lest·he·vaunt" (פֶּן־יִתְפָּאֵ֨ר), "my·hand" (יָדִ֖י). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "that" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·their·hand', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 7 words.
Rashi
It will boast. "Vantir," in the vernacular [Old French]:
Metzudat David
“Upon me.” “Before me”:
"My own hand has saved me." Because of this great multitude [of troops].
Malbim
"The multitude that is with you." The Lord desired that it be seen that the Lord performed a mighty act through a miracle; for if there had been a large multitude, people would have said that they themselves achieved the victory.
Now therefore make proclamation in the ears of the people, saying: Whosoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.’ And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
verse value 6177
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 83 letters. The shortest word is "please" (נָ֜א, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·ears·of" (בְּאׇזְנֵ֤י, 5 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "who·is·fearful" (מִֽי־יָרֵ֣א), "and·trembling" (וְחָרֵ֔ד), "and·will·go·early" (וְיִצְפֹּ֖ר). The root שוב appears 2 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "the·people" (root עם, 79x in Judges); "call!" (root קרא, 38x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Gilead', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 8 words.
Rashi
"And let him depart." In the morning; in Aramaic: *tzefra*.
Radak
"And he rose early." We translate "early in the morning" as "tsafra" (morning). Alternatively, it means "he circled," that is, he went around Mount Gilead and returned. Similarly, the turban is called a "tzefirah" because it is wound around the head. And likewise, "a diadem of beauty" (lit. "tzefirat tife'arah"). And so too in the Mishnah: "A basket is considered a vessel once two circumferences have been made around its width."
Ralbag
And the meaning here of "ve-yitzpor" is that he will rise early in the morning to return from Mount Gilad.
Metzudat David
And they rose early. They would rise early in the morning, so that no one would see them upon their return and not shame them.
Metzudat Zion
And he shall rise early. The translation of 'morning' is 'tzafra,' so too (Ezekiel 7:7) 'the dawn has come,' meaning: he shall rise early in the morning:
Malbim
The Questions (3): What is the intent of the statement "he shall return and fly away [like a bird]"? And why does it say here "they turned back from the people," whereas in verse 8 it says "he sent men to their tents"?
"Who is the man who fears and trembles?" Behold, the Divine effluence does not descend except upon those who are prepared and worthy of it. Here, two things were required: 1) preparation of valor, and 2) preparation of holiness to receive the Divine matter. For the victory was girded with might, and they came through a miracle mighty with Divine power. Therefore, He first commanded that the fearful and faint-hearted, who were unprepared for valor, should return. And afterward, He separated those who bowed upon their knees, who were unworthy of the miracle.
"He shall return and fly away." This means that they should return immediately and spend the night on Mount Gilead, and in the morning they should go to their homes. He did not command them to go immediately to their homes, because he knew that the salvation would occur at night. These men pursued from Mount Gilead after those who were fleeing, and regarding this he used the language of "flying away" (yitzpor), which also indicates that they should fly swiftly like birds flying after the enemy. Not so with those who bowed on their knees; he commanded them to go immediately to their homes, because these were idolaters, and he did not want them to participate in the battle at all, even in the pursuit.
And Hashem said to Gideon: ‘The people are yet too many; bring them down to the water, and I will try them for you there; and it shall be, that of whom I say to you: This shall go with you, the same shall go with you; and of whomsoever I say to you: This shall not go with you, the same shall not go.’
verse value 5465
Insights
Verse structure: 31 words, 111 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֜ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "great" (רָב֒, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Gideon" (אֶל־גִּדְע֗וֹן, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 421: with·you, with·you. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "take·off" (הוֹרֵ֤ד), "and·I·will·test·them" (וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ), "that·I·say" (אֲשֶׁר־אֹמַ֜ר). The root הלך appears 3 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "that" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'there', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 19 words.
Radak
“And I will refine you there.” Just as silver is refined from its dross, so that in that war only the righteous will remain, for those who knelt on their knees to drink were marked by the sign of those who had bowed down to Baal. And in Midrash you find that in the days of Gideon they were worshipping their own image; those who knelt on their knees—this refers to the shadow that appeared from them on the water.
“Upon his knees to drink.” Likewise, you shall set him apart, alone.
Metzudat David
"And I will refine him." I will act like this refiner, who separates the dross from the silver.
Metzudat Zion
And I will refine them. From the word for refining and smelting:
Malbim
The Questions (4): Why did He perform a second test? What is the meaning of "and I will refine them for you"? And why is the language repeated: "all who... shall go" and "all who... shall not go"? And in the first instance it said "shall go with you," whereas in the second it said "shall not go" without the word "with you"?
"Moreover, the people are numerous." At first, the verse states, "The people who are with you," indicating that those who preceded them were not idolaters and were "with him," meaning they were similar to him in their devotion. However, these current people, who were idolaters, were not "with him" in that sense.
"And I will prove them for thee." This means: He who is fit to go with thee, he shall go with thee; that is to say, according to thy intention before God for the battle. And all of whom it is said, etc., shall not go at all. Not only will they not go with thee according to the proper intention, but they will not go at all, for when they see war, they will turn back, being unbelievers.
So he brought down the people to the water; and Hashem said to Gideon: ‘Everyone that laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, him shall you set by himself; likewise every one that bows down upon his knees to drink.’
verse value 6586
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 96 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֜ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "all" (כֹּ֣ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Gideon" (אֶל־גִּדְע֗וֹן, 7 letters). 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·he·brought·down" (וַיּ֥וֹרֶד), "that·laps" (אֲשֶׁר־יָלֹק֩), "in·his·tongue" (בִּלְשׁוֹנ֨וֹ). The root אשר appears 3 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "that·laps" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges). First appearance of the root לקק ("will·lap") in Judges. First appearance of the root שתה ("to·drink") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·waters', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 17 words.
Rashi
"All that will lick with his tongue, etc., and all that will bow on his knees to drink. You will present him alone, apart from your company, for they will not go with you, for thus they are accustomed to bow before idolatrous worship:"
Ralbag
And indeed for this very cause the Lord did not wish that anyone remain with him except those who lapped with their hands to their mouths, for this indicates diligence and courage. But those who knelt on their knees to drink, they are lazy, and he wished that they return. And in the first statement he eliminated from them the transgressors and the soft-hearted, for the fearful man is afraid of a transgression in his hand, as our Sages of blessed memory explained in the chapter 'Meshuach Milchamah' [the priest anointed for war]. And the trembling one is soft-hearted. And in this second matter he eliminated the lazy, and left only the righteous and the diligent and the courageous. And they were three hundred men alone, and he retained only them, as the Lord commanded him through his prophet, or by Himself in a prophetic vision.
Metzudat David
"All that will lap." For one who draws water into his hands and drinks from them cannot drink with his lips in the manner of all the world, but rather laps with his tongue like the drinking of a dog. However, one who kneels on his knees to drink from the stream is able to drink with his lips. Therefore, He commanded that those who lap be set apart by themselves, and those who kneel by themselves.
"And all that shall bow down, etc." – This means: and so you shall likewise set apart, by itself, all that shall bow down, etc.
Metzudat Zion
Lick. The sense of licking with the tongue, as in (I Kings 21:19) 'the dogs shall lick [your blood]':
Malbim
“Every one that licks” – this means one who takes [water] in his hand and brings it to his mouth, from which he licks with his tongue; this is unlike one who crouches and fills his mouth from the water.
And according to the opinion of our Sages of blessed memory, those who kneel are accustomed to kneel to their own reflection. Moreover, the kneeling indicates the voracious desire to drink all at once, and the weakening of the joints of the limbs, as is stated in the Akeidah: He commanded that they be set apart alone, for they would not be able to march; whereas those who lap with the tongue are the same as what is meant by "those who lap with their hand into their mouth" — they went [to battle]. And Rashi of blessed memory has another approach to this matter.
And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
verse value 5026
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 64 letters. The shortest word is "three" (שְׁלֹ֥שׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "upon·their·knees" (עַל־בִּרְכֵיהֶ֖ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 56: in·their·hand, and·them·of. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "to·peh" (אֶל־פִּיהֶ֔ם), "remainder" (יֶ֣תֶר), "they·knelt" (כָּרְע֥וּ). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "and·it·was" (root היה, 120x in Judges); "to·peh" (root איל, 114x in Judges). First appearance of the root יתר ("remainder") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'man', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 7 words.
Rashi
“Those who lick with their hands.” This is not the manner of kneeling, as one who licks with his tongue.
Radak
"On their knees." The kaf is unaccented [rafe, not geminated], and so too [in the phrase] "and he knelt on his knees" [Daniel 6:11], while elsewhere [the word] is geminated (with a dagesh).
Malbim
"And all the surplus." Initially, it stated, "And ten thousand remained." This is as explained by me: that which remains is intentional, whereas the surplus is that which is unnecessary and superfluous.
And Hashem said to Gideon: ‘By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand; and let all the people go every man to his place.’
verse value 5186
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 77 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֜ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "man" (אִ֥ישׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Gideon" (אֶל־גִּדְע֗וֹן, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "by·three" (בִּשְׁלֹשׁ֩). The root איש appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·your·hand', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 4 words.
Metzudat David
“The lickers.” He chose the lickers and rejected the kneelers, because the kneelers had become accustomed to kneeling to idolatry, whereas the lickers had not.
So they took the victuals of the people in their hand, and their horns; and he sent all the men of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the three hundred men; and the camp of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
verse value 7149
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 93 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֖וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֖וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·in·three·hundred" (וּבִשְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 407: and, and. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "provision" (אֶת־צֵדָה֩), "their·horns" (שׁוֹפְרֹֽתֵיהֶ֗ם), "to·his·tents" (לְאֹֽהָלָ֔יו). The root איש appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "all·man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "was" (root היה, 120x in Judges); "Israel" (root ישראל, 114x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'repaired', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 6 words.
Radak
"[And they took] the provisions of the people in their hands." The provisions of the people who had gone to their homes were taken by the people who remained with him; and likewise their horns, which had been with some of them to sound in battle — those who remained with him took these as well, so that there would be a horn in the hand of each and every one of the three hundred who remained, and they would sound a great blast to terrify the camp of Midian. And the word "tzedah" is recognized [in this form] in construct position, for its rule is "tzedet," similar to "and meekness, righteousness" (Psalms 45:5) and "like an ephah of barley" (Ruth 2:17), and others that we have written about in the book Mikhlol, in the grammar section. And likewise Jonathan [ben Uzziel] rendered it nearby: "the provisions of the people."
Ralbag
And they took the people's provisions in their hands and their trumpets, so that each of them should have a trumpet in his hand. And it seems that the Lord informed him how the deliverance would be through these three hundred men. Meaning, that this would be by giving trumpets in the hands of all of them, and empty pitchers, and burning torches within the pitchers, in the manner that they did this. But the verse shortened, as is its custom. And the Lord strengthened his heart with the recounting of the dream and its interpretation, for this is from what indicated the truth of what the Lord promised them.
Metzudat David
"And they took." The lappers took from the rest of the people their provisions and their shofars.
"And all, etc." — They are those who kneel.
He held fast. He grasped them to go with him:
"beneath." And Gideon was in the mountain above.
Metzudat Zion
Provision. Food:
He seized. He grasped:
Malbim
Questions (8): Why did the verse state a second time, "And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley," when this was already stated in verse 1?
"And they took." The three hundred men took the provisions of those who were leaving, and therefore three hundred pitchers and horns were found in their possession. And [as for] "the camp of Midian was below him" — this was already mentioned in verse 1, but now he ascended the mountain, and the camp was beneath him.
And it came to pass the same night, that Hashem said to him: ‘Arise, get you down upon the camp; for I have delivered it into your hand.
verse value 1842
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 47 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "go·down" (רֵ֣ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·the·night" (בַּלַּ֣יְלָה, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "I·gave·it" (נְתַתִּ֖יו). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges); "and·it·was" (root היה, 120x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·camp', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַֽיְהִי֙ [and·it·was] (31) + בַּלַּ֣יְלָה [in·the·night] (77) + הַה֔וּא [that] (17) + וַיֹּ֤אמֶר [and·said] (257) + אֵלָיו֙ [to·him] (47) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + ק֖וּם [rise] (146) + רֵ֣ד [go·down] (204) + בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה [in·the·camp] (105) + כִּ֥י [for] (30) + נְתַתִּ֖יו [I·gave·it] (866) + בְּיָדֶֽךָ [in·your·hand] (36) = 1842.
Malbim
"Go down..." "into the camp..." "and if you are afraid..." "he shall go down..." "to the camp." "Into the camp" means that he will descend into the camp to conquer it, whereas "to the camp" means that he will stand at a distance to hear what they will say. And this is what it means when it says "if you are afraid": it means to say that it is not possible to bestow upon you a spirit of valor, for it does not rest upon the faint of heart; [therefore] go down yourself to the camp, etc., and afterward your hands will be strengthened, and you will go down into the camp to fight. "The edge of the fifty" means the armed ones, for not all of them were armed, only those standing at the edge on guard duty.
But if you fear to go down, go you with Purah your servant down to the camp.
verse value 2678
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 33 letters. Verse gematria: 2678 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "go·down" (רֵ֥ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·the·camp" (אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 406: you, you. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·if·afraid" (וְאִם־יָרֵ֥א), "your·boy" (נַעַרְךָ֖). The root אתה appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·go·down" (root ירד, 32x in Judges); "to·the·camp" (root מחנה, 29x in Judges); "you" (root אתה, 23x in Judges). First appearance of the root נער ("your·boy") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·go·down', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְאִם־יָרֵ֥א [and·if·afraid] (258) + אַתָּ֖ה [you] (406) + לָרֶ֑דֶת [to·go·down] (634) + רֵ֥ד [go·down] (204) + אַתָּ֛ה [you] (406) + וּפֻרָ֥ה [and·Purah] (291) + נַעַרְךָ֖ [your·boy] (340) + אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה [to·the·camp] (139) = 2678.
Metzudat David
“And if you are afraid, etc.” – If you are afraid to go down to fight against them, go down to hear what is in their mouths.
And you shall hear what they say; and afterward shall your hands be strengthened to go down upon the camp.’ Then went he down with Purah his servant to the outermost part of the armed men that were in the camp.
verse value 4721
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 70 letters. The shortest word is "he" (הוּא֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "what·they·say" (מַה־יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 105: in·the·camp, in·the·camp. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·you·shall·hear" (וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֙), "what·they·say" (מַה־יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ), "they·will·strengthen" (תֶּחֱזַ֣קְנָה). The root ירד appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "to·end" (root איל, 114x in Judges); "your·hands" (root יד, 75x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·camp', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 8 words.
Metzudat David
"And afterward." For when you hear what is in their mouths, then "your hands shall be strengthened," and you will go down to the camp to fight against them.
"To the edge of the armed men." The custom of the camp was to station armed men around it at night, as guards:
Metzudat Zion
The armed [ones]. The armed men, so too (Joshua 1:14) 'you shall cross over armed':
Now the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is upon the sea-shore for multitude.
verse value 3636
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 67 letters. Verse gematria: 3636 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "to·abundance" (לָרֹ֑ב, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·the·children·of·the·east" (וְכׇל־בְּנֵי־קֶ֙דֶם֙, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 232: to·abundance, to·abundance. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·Midian" (וּמִדְיָ֨ן), "and·all·the·children·of·the·east" (וְכׇל־בְּנֵי־קֶ֙דֶם֙), "fallen" (נֹפְלִ֣ים). The root רב appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·Midian" (root מדין, 32x in Judges); "nothing" (root אין, 29x in Judges); "fallen" (root נפל, 20x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·abundance', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 7 words. Full calculation: וּמִדְיָ֨ן [and·Midian] (110) + וַעֲמָלֵ֤ק [and·Amalek] (246) + וְכׇל־בְּנֵי־קֶ֙דֶם֙ [and·all·the·children·of·the·east] (262) + נֹפְלִ֣ים [fallen] (210) + בָּעֵ֔מֶק [in·the·valley] (212) + כָּאַרְבֶּ֖ה [as·the·locust] (228) + לָרֹ֑ב [to·abundance] (232) + וְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶם֙ [and·to·their·camels] (164) + אֵ֣ין [nothing] (61) + מִסְפָּ֔ר [number] (380) + כַּח֛וֹל [as·the·sand] (64) + שֶׁעַל־שְׂפַ֥ת [that·is·on·the·shore·of] (1180) + הַיָּ֖ם [sea] (55) + לָרֹֽב [to·abundance] (232) = 3636.
Rashi
"Lying (encamped) in the valley." Dwelling in the valley:
Metzudat Zion
Those lying [encamped]. Those who encamp, as in (Genesis 25:18) 'he dwelt alongside all his brethren':
And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man telling a dream to his follow, and saying: ‘Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and smote it that it fell, and turned it upside down, that the tent lay flat.’
verse value 4692
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 115 letters. The shortest word is "they" (הִנֵּ֧ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·behold·man" (וְהִ֨נֵּה־אִ֔ישׁ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 84: dream, dream. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·behold·man" (וְהִ֨נֵּה־אִ֔ישׁ), "to·his·neighbor" (לְרֵעֵ֖הוּ), "I·dreamed" (חָלַ֗מְתִּי). The root בוא appears 2 times in this verse. 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "and·came" (root בוא, 93x in Judges); "bread" (root לחם, 45x in Judges). First appearance of the root חלום ("dream") in Judges. First appearance of the root הפך ("turning") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'dream', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 19 words.
Rashi
Tzelil. It is written as tzalul, meaning that the generation was clear of the righteous:
"A cake of barley bread." (Targum:) "A cake of barley bread, a cake that is baked on the coals."
"Barley bread" – this refers to the merit of the Omer offering brought during Passover.
"And it struck it, and it fell." The tent. "And it overturned it." The tent, from below to above, and the tent fell.
Radak
“Tzelul.” It is written with a vav and read with a yod, and they are one, for the letters aleph, heh, vav, yod (א-ה-ו-י) interchange with one another. It pertains to the matter of “his ears shall tingle,” meaning that he heard the noise of barley bread being tossed about in the camp of Midian. In his saying “barley bread,” it appears that he both heard and saw it. Or perhaps it is from “tzeli esh” (roasted by fire), its root being tz-l-h, similar to the root of “hagah” (meditate) and “higgayi” (my meditations). And the meaning is “a cake of barley,” and the sense of “tzalil” is that it was roasted in embers, which is called by our Sages of blessed memory “chararah,” and not the chararah baked directly upon embers. And so did Jonathan render it: “charar delachim se’orim” (a roasted cake of moist barley). And this was an allegory for Israel, who were weak yet overpowered Midian and defeated them.
Ralbag
"A sound [tumult] of barley bread." Meaning, the sound of the rumbling of barley bread.
Metzudat David
"And it struck it." The loaf struck the tent, and it fell into the tent, and the bottom of the tent was turned upside down, and the tent fell.
Metzudat Zion
"A cake." From the word for roasting, meaning: a cake baked on the embers:
Tumbling. Turning and rolling, for when rolling it turns from side to side:
Malbim
The Questions (13) What is the intent of the dream in its details? (17) Why is there a duplication: “You shall see from Me, and so shall you do,” and “As I shall do, so shall you do”?
And behold, the sound of barley bread. It was then the sixteenth of Nisan, when the barley harvest takes place, and they [the Midianites] came to plunder the harvest of the field, which is barley bread. He saw the sound and the noise of the clatter of the barley bread that they sought to plunder — turning over in the camp of Midian: whereas at first they [Israel] had hidden from them, it was reversed so that he would rule over their enemies — and it came as far as the tent, which is as far as the camp, where the tents were.
“And He struck him, and he fell.” This is the account of the fallen slain. “And He turned him upside down” refers to the second vision, which subsequently occurred: they fled from the valley to the surrounding mountains, and there the tent collapsed completely. This is what is stated: “And he answered and said, etc.”
And his fellow answered and said: ‘This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: into his hand God has delivered Midian, and all the host.’
verse value 4873
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 76 letters. The shortest word is "nothing" (אֵ֣ין, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·the·encampment" (וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה, 10 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "his·neighbor" (רֵעֵ֤הוּ), "except" (בִּלְתִּ֗י), "but·sword-of" (אִם־חֶ֛רֶב). 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "Israel" (root ישראל, 114x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 5 words.
Metzudat David
"There is nothing else [it could mean]." There is no other explanation; rather, it alludes to Gideon's sword victory: just as a light thing, such as a sound, overturned a tent that was stronger than it, so too will Gideon, who is weak, defeat a numerous and strong nation.
And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped; and he returned into the camp of Israel, and said: ‘Arise; for Hashem has delivered into your hand the host of Midian.’
verse value 5751
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 85 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֛ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "and·it·was" (וַיְהִי֩, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·breaking" (וְאֶת־שִׁבְר֖וֹ, 7 letters). 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "when·he·heard" (כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ), "number" (אֶת־מִסְפַּ֧ר), "the·dream" (הַחֲל֛וֹם). The root מחנה appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges); "and·it·was" (root היה, 120x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·he·bowed·down', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 10 words.
Rashi
“the number of the dream” – the account of the dream; (the Targum:) “and the telling of the dream, and its interpretation.”
"And its brokenness." And its selling price, meaning: and its interpretation:
Radak
“The telling of the dream.” From “and he told them his dream”—the language of recounting:
“And its interpretation.” Its explanation is that the dream is like a sealed and closed matter, and the interpretation breaks it open and reveals it.
Metzudat David
And he bowed down. In thanksgiving to God:
Metzudat Zion
Shatter. Meaning: interpret it, for a dream is a closed and sealed matter, and through interpretation it shall be shattered and opened:
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them horns, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.
verse value 5775
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "and·divided" (וַיַּ֛חַץ, 4 letters) and the longest is "three·hundred" (אֶת־שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת, 9 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·divided" (וַיַּ֛חַץ), "three·hundred" (אֶת־שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת), "three" (שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה). The root שלוש appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "and·gave" (root נתן, 69x in Judges); "heads" (root ראש, 26x in Judges). First appearance of the root כד ("and·jars") in Judges. First appearance of the root ריק ("empty") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'heads', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 8 words. Full calculation: וַיַּ֛חַץ [and·divided] (114) + אֶת־שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת [three·hundred] (1478) + הָאִ֖ישׁ [man] (316) + שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה [three] (635) + רָאשִׁ֑ים [heads] (551) + וַיִּתֵּ֨ן [and·gave] (466) + שׁוֹפָר֤וֹת [horns] (992) + בְּיַד־כֻּלָּם֙ [in·hand·of·all·of·them] (106) + וְכַדִּ֣ים [and·jars] (80) + רֵיקִ֔ים [empty] (360) + וְלַפִּדִ֖ים [and·torches] (170) + בְּת֥וֹךְ [in·midst·of] (428) + הַכַּדִּֽים [the·jars] (79) = 5775.
Rashi
Shofarot and lefudim. To recall the merit of the Giving of the Torah, and its plain meaning: It was night, as it is written (verse 9): "And there was darkness." Therefore, they carried with them torches to illuminate for them, and they placed them in vessels so that [the Midianites] would not recognize the torches.
Metzudat Zion
And he divided. The sense of division and separation:
Heads. Meaning: parts, as in (Genesis 2:10) 'and it became four heads':
And jars. The name of a certain vessel:
Empty. Empty ones:
And torches. A burning stick with a flame attached to it, as in (Isaiah 62:1) "like a torch it shall burn":
Malbim
And he divided. The text enumerates eight of his stratagems: 1) That he divided them into three groups to approach from three directions; 2) That he gave horns into the hands of all of them to terrify them with the blast of war; 3) Torches, to terrify them with a pillar of fire and cloud; 4) Empty pitchers, so that the torches would be revealed suddenly and so that a sound would be heard when the pitchers shattered.
And he said to them: ‘Look on me, and do likewise; and, behold, when I come to the outermost part of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall you do.
verse value 4216
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 63 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "going·in" (בָא֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "as·I·will·do" (כַאֲשֶׁר־אֶעֱשֶׂ֖ה, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "you·will·see" (תִרְא֖וּ), "and·so" (וְכֵ֣ן), "as·I·will·do" (כַאֲשֶׁר־אֶעֱשֶׂ֖ה). The root כן appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "as·I·will·do" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "and·it·shall·be" (root היה, 120x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you·will·do', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 9 words.
Rashi
From Me you shall see. That which I do, see and do likewise:
Malbim
And He said, "From me you shall see, and so you shall do." 5) That they should not do until He does; since I come to the edge of the camp, therefore He shall be the one who begins.
6) "And it shall be, when I do so, you shall do" – this means that whatever he does, they shall do likewise, and he explains:
When I blow the horn, I and all that are with me, then blow you the horns also on every side of all the camp, and say: For Hashem and for Gideon! ’
verse value 6667
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 73 letters. The shortest word is "with·me" (אִתִּ֑י, 3 letters) and the longest is "with·the·horns" (בַּשּׁוֹפָר֜וֹת, 7 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·I·will·blow" (וְתָֽקַעְתִּי֙), "and·all·that" (וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר), "and·you·shall·sound" (וּתְקַעְתֶּ֨ם). The root תקע appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·you·shall·say" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "and·all·that" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·me', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 8 words. Full calculation: וְתָֽקַעְתִּי֙ [and·I·will·blow] (986) + בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר [in·the·horn] (588) + אָנֹכִ֖י [I] (81) + וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר [and·all·that] (557) + אִתִּ֑י [with·me] (411) + וּתְקַעְתֶּ֨ם [and·you·shall·sound] (1016) + בַּשּׁוֹפָר֜וֹת [with·the·horns] (994) + גַּם־אַתֶּ֗ם [also·you] (484) + סְבִיבוֹת֙ [around] (480) + כׇּל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה [all·the·encampment] (158) + וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם [and·you·shall·say] (687) + לַיהֹוָ֥ה [to·Hashem] (56) + וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן [and·for·Gideon] (169) = 6667.
Rashi
"I and all who are with me." One of the leaders, and a hundred men were with him (verse 19):
"To the Lord and to Gideon." (The Targum renders it:) "A sword that slays before the Lord, and a victory through the hand of Gideon."
Radak
“And you shall say to the Lord, and to Gideon.” Explanation: “Sword” means that they cried out, “A sword to the Lord,” meaning that our sword is for the Lord, for He fights for us; and after Him, our sword is for Gideon, for through him we will defeat this army. And so did Jonathan translate: “The sword’s slaying is from before the Lord, and the victory is through Gideon.”
Metzudat David
The surroundings of the entire camp. [This refers to the camps] of Midian and Amalek, etc.
"To the Lord and to Gideon." This means that the salvation is attributed to the Lord, and it came about through Gideon.
Malbim
"And I will blow" etc., "and you shall blow" etc., "you as well." 7) That the blasts should be sounded around the entire camp, so that they will think there are many battalions, since in each battalion one person blows, and likewise they will think that they are encircling them, since the sound goes around.
8) That they would cry out, “The sword for the Lord and for Gideon,” meaning that there is here a matter of miracles attributed to the Lord, and a matter of natural causality attributed to Gideon.
So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came to the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch; and they blew the horns, and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands.
verse value 7448
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 95 letters. The shortest word is "indeed" (אַ֛ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·watchmen" (אֶת־הַשֹּׁמְרִ֑ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: head, that. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·hundred·man" (וּמֵאָה־אִ֨ישׁ), "watch" (הָאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת), "middle" (הַתִּיכוֹנָ֔ה). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·with·him" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "and·came" (root בוא, 93x in Judges); "in·their·hand" (root יד, 75x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·watchmen', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 6 words.
Rashi
"He who sets them up, He has set them up." The men of the army had already stationed the watchmen whose watch was the middle watch, for it is customary for soldiers to appoint watchmen: these would guard the first third of the night, and those the second third, and these the final third.
And scatter the jars. And to break the jars that are in their hands:
Radak
The beginning of the middle watch. For they guarded the camp at night, and they divided the night watches into three parts. The guards at the beginning of the night were awake until the third part of the night, which is the end of the first watch and the beginning of the middle watch. And the first guards would go to sleep, and the others would rise from their sleep to guard. And this is what is meant by, "they had just now posted the sentries," and behold, Gideon came to the camp.
Ralbag
The beginning of the middle watch, after the passing of a third of the night. And indeed at the beginning of that watch they aroused the watchers of Midian and Amalek to guard the camp, that they should be there awake, because all the men of the camp were sleeping. And it seems that thus were there appointed watchers to arise at the beginning of every watch of the night's watches. For there is no one to say that the men of war did not sleep until the end of the first watch. And therefore they needed then to arouse the watchers, not before this, for what Gideon heard when he descended into the camp before this indicated that they were already sleeping. And indeed he began first, Gideon and the hundred men with him, to blow the trumpets, and after them the two remaining heads blew their trumpets, and the men with them. And at the time they began to blow the trumpets, they broke the pitchers that were in their hands, and the torches remained. And they saw the three hundred torches burning, as soon as they awoke. And these men were crying with a loud voice, 'The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.' And with the abundance of confusion, some of the army thought that Gideon's army was among them, and each of them thought that his companion was from Gideon's men. And for this cause every man's sword was against his brother. And indeed some of them were killing some, and some were fleeing in fear from the one who was near them, whom they thought was from Gideon's army.
Metzudat David
"Head, etc." – at the beginning of the middle watch.
"Just — they had set up." At the time when they set up the guards to keep watch, for the custom is to appoint other guards for each watch to guard the camp:
And they blew. Gideon and his men:
And scatter the jars. In order that the torches may be seen, to terrify the sons of Midian, etc.
Metzudat Zion
The watches. The night is divided into three parts, and they are called 'watches' because it is divided into three companies of angels, and each company guards its time to sing (Berakhot 2b):
The middle watch. From the word for 'within,' meaning: the middle one:
And shattered. The sense of shattering with scattering, so too (Psalms 137:9) "and shall dash your infants":
Malbim
The Questions (19–23): Why is there a repetition in the verses: “and they blew with trumpets,” “and the three leaders blew with trumpets,” and “and the three hundred blew with trumpets”? Why does the text first say “and they blew” and then “and they held the trumpets to blow”? And why is there a repetition in: “and the camp ran,” “and they fled,” and “the camp fled”?
"And he came, etc." — the head of the middle watch. For then the majority of them are asleep, but the guards, who rotate at every watch, had just been freshly posted; and with this, those who are leaving lie down to sleep, and those who are coming doze with their eyelids drooping. And they blew [the trumpets]: Gideon and his men blew first. And then,
And the three companies blew the horns, and broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the horns in their right hands wherewith to blow; and they cried: ‘The sword for Hashem and for Gideon! ’
verse value 7054
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 98 letters. The shortest word is "sword" (חֶ֥רֶב, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·hand·of·their·left" (בְיַד־שְׂמֹאולָם֙, 9 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "and·they·broke" (וַיִּשְׁבְּר֣וּ), "and·they·held" (וַיַּחֲזִ֤יקוּ), "in·hand·of·their·left" (בְיַד־שְׂמֹאולָם֙). The root תקע appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges); "in·hand·of·their·left" (root יד, 75x in Judges); "and·they·called" (root קרא, 38x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·blow', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 4 words.
Radak
"The three heads." The text does not say that only the heads blew [the shofar], but rather that the entire people blew. And the meaning of "heads" is portions, as it is stated: "And it shall be into four heads."
Metzudat David
The three leaders. For the other two leaders also sounded the horn, as Gideon said to them (verse 18): "And you too shall blow the trumpets."
"The sword is for the Lord." The salvation wrought by the sword is ascribed to the Lord, and it came about through Gideon.
Malbim
"And the three companies blew." Just as it is stated, "From me you shall see, and so shall you do."
"And they took hold." With this, the text begins to recount the confusion that was caused in the enemy camp. It states that at the time they took hold of the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands, ready to blow them—while they had not yet all blown, but only prepared themselves to blow—then they cried out, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon."
And they stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran; and they shouted, and fled.
verse value 2524
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 52 letters. The shortest word is "man" (אִ֣ישׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·the·encampment" (כׇּל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "in·his·place" (תַּחְתָּ֔יו), "to·the·camp" (לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה), "and·ran" (וַיָּ֧רׇץ). The root מחנה appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "to·the·camp" (root מחנה, 29x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·camp', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 5 words.
Rashi
"And they sounded [a blast]." The blast [used] for setting out on a journey, and for flight.
Radak
“And all the camp ran” – to flee, as it is said, “and they fled.” And as for what is stated, “and they shouted” – it was a shout of alarm and fear.
Metzudat David
A man. Each and every one of Israel stood in his place, surrounding the camp of Midian.
"And they shouted." It was a shout of breaking and flight.
Metzudat Zion
In his stead. In his place:
Malbim
"And they stood." This implies that at that time they still stood, each in his place, surrounding the camp. From this, we learn that a commotion had already arisen in the camp, and the entire camp ran, beginning to run here and there in panic. And they cried out and fled: some of them cried out the war cry, while others began to flee, for confusion had taken hold among them.
And they blew the three hundred horns, and Hashem set every man’s sword a against his fellow, even throughout all the host; and the host fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.
verse value 7840
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 91 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "until" (עַ֛ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·in·all·the·encampment" (וּבְכׇל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה, 9 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "his·fellow" (בְּרֵעֵ֖הוּ), "and·in·all·the·encampment" (וּבְכׇל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה), "ha-Shittah" (הַשִּׁטָּה֙). The root מחנה appears 2 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 171x in Judges); "until·Beth" (root בית, 88x in Judges). First appearance of the root טוב ("by·Tabbath") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·in·all·the·encampment', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 9 words.
Radak
tzararta. With two resh letters:
Metzudat David
And they blew. This means that by blowing the three hundred shofars, which is a terrifying matter, a tumult arose among them, and it was from the Lord that they should kill one another, and such was the case throughout the entire camp.
Metzudat Zion
To Tabbath. As far as Tabbath, and it is a place name:
Malbim
"And they blew [the trumpets]." However, after all three hundred trumpets had actually begun to blow, then "the Lord set every man's sword against his companion," because by virtue of the fact that some of them shouted a war cry and some of them fled, those shouting the war cry assumed that those fleeing were their enemies, and this misconception spread throughout the entire camp; consequently, "the camp fled," and they all scattered in every direction.
And the men of Israel were gathered together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after Midian.
verse value 3505
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "after" (אַחֲרֵ֥י, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·from·all·Manasseh" (וּמִן־כׇּל־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה, 9 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "from·Naphtali" (מִנַּפְתָּלִ֥י), "and·from·Asher" (וּמִן־אָשֵׁ֖ר), "and·from·all·Manasseh" (וּמִן־כׇּל־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "man·Israel" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "and·from·Asher" (root אשר, 178x in Judges); "after" (root אחר, 49x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·from·all·Manasseh', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּצָּעֵ֧ק [and·was·cried] (276) + אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל [man·Israel] (852) + מִנַּפְתָּלִ֥י [from·Naphtali] (610) + וּמִן־אָשֵׁ֖ר [and·from·Asher] (597) + וּמִן־כׇּל־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה [and·from·all·Manasseh] (541) + וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ [and·they·pursued] (306) + אַחֲרֵ֥י [after] (219) + מִדְיָֽן [Midian] (104) = 3505.
Ralbag
And the men of Israel were mustered from Naftali and from Asher and from all Menashe, and they pursued after Midian to destroy them, at the time that they were confused and were fleeing.
Metzudat Zion
And he cried out. The sense of a gathering, because it comes with the cry of the gatherer:
Malbim
"And they cried out." I have already mentioned (verse 3) that this is why he told those whom he sent first to remain on Mount Gilead, so that they would be ready to pursue; and they came, cried out, and pursued.
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill-country of Ephraim, saying: ‘Come down against Midian, and take before them the waters, as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan.’ So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and took the waters as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan.
verse value 7437
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 114 letters. The shortest word is "until" (עַ֛ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·Jordan" (וְאֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 676: and·Jordan, and·Jordan. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "in·all·hill·of" (בְּכׇל־הַ֨ר), "go·down" (רְד֞וּ), "and·capture" (וְלִכְד֤וּ). The root אפרים appears 2 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 268x in Judges); "all·man" (root איש, 190x in Judges); "house·of" (root בית, 88x in Judges). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·Jordan', dividing the verse into phrases of 16 and 9 words.
Rashi
“And seize the waters for them.” These are the waters that separate Aram from the Land of Canaan.
"And the Jordan." That it, too, was a dividing line [between the two lands]:
Radak
“And they cut off the waters for them.” This means that they were unable to cross. And these waters were not the waters of the Jordan, but rather other waters that were along their way until Beth-barah, as it subsequently states, “and the Jordan.”
Ralbag
And messengers Gideon sent throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, that they should go down to meet Midian and should capture for themselves the waters until Beit Barah and the Jordan, so that they could not pass the waters. And they captured them and killed them while they had battle front and rear.
Metzudat David
"And seize [the water] for themselves." This means: Take the fords from the river that was near them, and take them as far as Beth-barah; and also take the fords of the Jordan, so that he will not be able to cross the waters.
For them. This implies: on account of Midian, so that they would not be able to pass through.
And they took the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb at the Rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the Winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon beyond the Jordan.
verse value 6410
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 108 letters. The shortest word is "Midian" (מִדְיָ֜ן, 4 letters) and the longest is "at·Rock-of·Oreb" (בְּצוּר־עוֹרֵב֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 417: and·Zeeb, and·Zeeb. 12 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Judges. Unique to this verse in Judges (hapax): "the·two·princes·of" (שְׁנֵֽי־שָׂרֵ֨י), "and·they·killed" (וַיַּהַרְג֨וּ), "Oreb" (אֶת־עוֹרֵ֤ב). The root זאב appears 3 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Gideon" (root איל, 114x in Judges); "brought" (root בוא, 93x in Judges); "Midian" (root מדין, 32x in Judges). First appearance of the root ערב ("Oreb") in Judges. First appearance of the root זאב ("and·Zeeb") in Judges. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Midian', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 6 words.
Rashi
They brought them to Gideon beyond the Jordan. In the morning, when Gideon crossed the Jordan to pursue Zebah and Zalmunna:
Radak
“Tzur Oreb” – After Oreb was killed there, it was called “Tzur Oreb” (Rock of Oreb). Likewise, “Yekev Zeev” – after Zeeb was killed there, it was called “Yekev Zeev” (Winepress of Zeeb). And Jonathan rendered “Yekev Zeev” as “Mishar Zeev” (Plain of Zeev), perhaps because that plain was like a winepress, having high sides around it.
Ralbag
And they took Orev and Zeev, the two princes of Midian, and they killed Orev on a certain rock which they later called the Rock of Orev. And they killed Zeev on a certain plain whose form was like the form of a winepress, and they later called it the Winepress of Zeev on account of this deed that happened there.
Metzudat David
And they captured. The sons of Ephraim captured.
“Beyond the Jordan.” When Gideon crossed the Jordan to pursue Zebah and Zalmunna, they brought [the heads] to him there:
Rashi
Radak
Metzudat David
Metzudat Zion
Malbim