Judges 7:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord says even ten thousand are too many and directs Gideon to test the men at the water.
What Does Judges 7:4 Mean?
A second reduction follows. Even ten thousand is too large for God's purpose, so He brings the men down to the water to be sifted. The Lord reserves to Himself the choosing: He alone will say who goes and who stays. Gideon is to watch and obey.
The repeated 'too many' presses home the chapter's great theme. God is whittling the army down to a number so small that the victory can only be His. There is comfort here for anyone who feels inadequate to a calling. The Lord is not looking for sufficiency in us; He is making room for His own power to be seen. The test that follows belongs entirely to His wisdom.
Judges 7:4 in the Original Language
try (בָּחַן), 'test' -- to examine and prove, as metal is assayed for its worth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 7:4
What does Judges 7:4 mean?
The Lord says even ten thousand are too many and directs Gideon to test the men at the water.