Judges 8:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Taking a desert route, Gideon surprises and strikes the Midianite army while it feels safe.
What Does Judges 8:11 Mean?
Gideon takes a roundabout caravan track past Nobah and Jogbehah, approaching from an unexpected quarter. He falls on the host while it is secure, that is, while it feels safe and off its guard, and strikes it hard.
The enemy's ease becomes its undoing. False security blinds the army to the danger at its door. The verse offers a sober lesson on presumption: those who imagine themselves safe apart from God are most exposed. Gideon's wisdom in timing and route reminds the reader that faith does not despise diligence; the man who trusts the LORD still moves with watchful care.
Judges 8:11 in the Original Language
betach (בֶּטַח), 'secure' -- at ease and unsuspecting, a confidence that proves misplaced.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 8:11
What does Judges 8:11 mean?
Taking a desert route, Gideon surprises and strikes the Midianite army while it feels safe.