Judges 7:23
In this verse, we read: *“The men of Israel were summoned from Naphtali and Asher and all Manasseh, and they pursued Midian.”* (v.23). Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh were three of the tribes located in the northern and western regions of ancient Israel, each occupying its own portion of the Promised Land. Naphtali’s territory lay in the north near the Sea of Galilee, characterized by rolling hills and fertile land. Asher stretched along the Mediterranean coastline, encompassing bustling ports used for trade in biblical times. Manasseh, which was one of the largest tribes, held territory on both the western side of the Jordan River and a portion to the east, granting them strategic control over key trade routes. The people of these tribes responded quickly once they heard the call to join in Gideon’s fight against the Midianites. The Midianites descended from Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2, NASB-95) and occupied regions to the south and east of the Promised Land.
Though Gideon himself is not named in this specific verse, he was the influential judge leading Israel’s forces at the time, around the late 12th century BC (circa 1162–1122 BC). After God miraculously shrank Gideon’s army to only 300 men (Judges 7:7, NASB-95), these reinforcements from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh joined in the final pursuit. The swift response of these tribes highlights the unifying spirit that arose among the Israelites when they heard that victory was possible over Midian. Their cooperation foreshadows the willingness of God’s people to gather for a common goal under faithful leadership—reminiscent of unity in the body of Christ in the New Testament (John 17:22-23, NASB-95), where believers come together to fulfill divine purposes.
Furthermore, the phrase *“they pursued Midian”* (v.23) demonstrates that God’s deliverance had already driven the Midianites to flee, and what remained was the resolute follow-through by the tribes of Israel. This determined pursuit reminds readers that once the Lord grants a breakthrough, believers are encouraged to finish the task, trusting His provision and direction. In many ways, God’s triumph over Midian foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate victory over sin, which believers are called to actively live out (Romans 8:37, NASB-95), standing firm and pressing forward when obstacles arise.
God gathered Israel’s tribes for a decisive victory over their enemies.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Daniel 7:23-26 meaning. The Interpreter explains that the boastful horn will challenge God and attack God’s people. He will rule for 3 ½ years before God destroys him.
- Judges 4:23-24 meaning. These final verses mark the conclusion of the battle against Jabin, king of Canaan. After Sisera’s defeat and death, God continues to subdue Jabin’s forces, leading to Israel’s increasing dominance over him. Over time, the Israelites press harder against Jabin until they fully destroy his rule, securing their freedom from Canaanite oppression.
- Judges 5:19-23 meaning. In the final part of the song of Deborah and Barak, they continue to celebrate Israel's victory over the Canaanite oppressors. The narrative shifts to a poetic description of the battle and the divine intervention that led to Israel's triumph.