Old Testament
Judges 7:3
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"So announce to the people: 'Anyone who is afraid or trembling may leave Mount Gilead and go home.'" 22,000 men left that day, and only 10,000 remained.
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Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
What Judges 7:3 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Judges 7:3, God instructs Gideon to allow any soldiers who are afraid to return home. This command results in 22,000 men leaving, leaving Gideon with only 10,000. This moment highlights the importance of courage in leadership and battle. God wanted a smaller, more committed army rather than a larger one filled with fear. The act of sending the fearful home serves to strengthen the resolve of those who remain, ensuring that they are ready to face the challenges ahead. It also emphasizes that God values faith and bravery over sheer numbers. This passage illustrates that God often works through a remnant, showing that He can achieve great victories with a few faithful individuals rather than a multitude lacking conviction.
How to apply Judges 7:3 to your life
This verse encourages us to confront our fears and doubts. In our own lives, we may need to let go of negative influences or those who lack commitment. Surrounding ourselves with courageous and faithful individuals can strengthen our resolve to face challenges and pursue our goals.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
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Illustrated scene from Gideon's story: The Three Hundred (Judges 7:1–8)
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Gideon
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
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Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
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Keep studying Judges 7:3
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 7:3 mean?
Judges 7:3 means that God instructed Gideon to allow any soldiers who were afraid to leave the battle. This resulted in 22,000 men going home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight, highlighting the importance of courage in leadership.
What is the significance of fear in Judges 7:3?
The significance of fear in Judges 7:3 is that it shows God prefers a smaller, committed group of warriors over a larger army filled with fear. This emphasizes that faith and bravery are more valuable than numbers in achieving victory.
How does Judges 7:3 relate to leadership?
Judges 7:3 relates to leadership by demonstrating that effective leaders must recognize and address fear within their ranks. By allowing fearful individuals to leave, Gideon ensured that those who remained were committed and ready to face challenges.
What lessons can we learn from Judges 7:3?
From Judges 7:3, we learn the importance of surrounding ourselves with courageous and committed individuals. It teaches us to confront our fears and to prioritize faith and resolve over mere numbers in any endeavor.
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