Judges 6:3
Judges 6:3 in Multiple Translations
Whenever the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them,
And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east; they came up against them;
And whenever Israel's grain was planted, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the east came up against them;
Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other peoples from the east would come and attack them.
When Israel had sowen, then came vp the Midianites, the Amalekites, and they of the East, and came vpon them,
And it hath been, if Israel hath sowed, that Midian hath come up, and Amalek, and the sons of the east, yea, they have come up against him,
So it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the children of the east came up against them.
And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
And when Israel had sown, Madian and Amalec, and the rest of the eastern nations came up:
Whenever the Israelis planted things in their fields, the people of Midian and Amalek and other groups from the east invaded Israel.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 6:3
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Judges 6:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 6:3
Study Notes — Judges 6:3
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 6:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 6:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 6:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 6:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 6:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 6:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 6:3
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 6:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 6:3
- Sermons on Judges 6:3
Context — Midian Oppresses Israel
3Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them,
4encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys. 5For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 6:33 | Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. |
| 2 | Judges 3:13 | After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms. |
| 3 | Judges 7:12 | Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore. |
| 4 | Judges 8:10 | Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen. |
| 5 | Genesis 29:1 | Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 4:30 | Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. |
| 7 | Job 1:3 | and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East. |
| 8 | Isaiah 65:21–22 | They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses for others to inhabit, nor plant for others to eat. For as is the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 28:51 | They will eat the offspring of your livestock and the produce of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain or new wine or oil, no calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks, until they have caused you to perish. |
| 10 | Leviticus 26:16 | then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. |
Judges 6:3 Summary
This verse tells us that whenever the Israelites would try to grow crops, the Midianites and other enemy nations would come and attack them, stealing their food and leaving them with nothing. This was a very difficult time for the Israelites, and it shows how God allowed them to be oppressed because of their disobedience, similar to what happened in Judges 2:10-15. But even in the midst of this hardship, God was still with them, and He would eventually deliver them, as seen in Judges 6:11-24. We can learn from this that our actions have consequences, but God is always faithful to help us and provide for us when we turn to Him, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east invade the Israelites whenever they planted their crops?
The Midianites and other eastern nations invaded the Israelites because God had delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years as a form of judgment for their evil deeds, as seen in Judges 6:1, and also as a test of their faithfulness to Him, similar to the way He tested the Israelites in the wilderness in Deuteronomy 8:2-3.
What was the extent of the invasion by the Midianites and other eastern nations?
The invasion was extensive, with the Midianites and other eastern nations encamping against the Israelites as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land, leaving them with no sustenance, as described in Judges 6:4, much like the desolation described in Isaiah 5:6.
How did the Israelites respond to these invasions?
The Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds, as mentioned in Judges 6:2, indicating their fear and lack of trust in God's protection, similar to the way the Israelites responded to the Philistines in 1 Samuel 13:6.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience with the Midianites?
We can learn that disobedience to God can lead to spiritual and physical oppression, but God is always faithful to deliver and restore His people when they repent and turn to Him, as seen in Judges 6:6-10 and other passages like Psalm 107:6-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm being 'invaded' by the enemy, and how can I trust God to deliver me?
- How do I respond to difficult circumstances, and what can I learn from the Israelites' response to the Midianites?
- In what ways can I 'plant crops' in my life, trusting God to bring a harvest of blessing and provision, as described in Galatians 6:7-9?
- What are some ways I can 'prepare shelters' in my life, and how can I instead trust in God's protection and provision, as seen in Psalm 91:1-4?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 6:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 6:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 6:3
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 6:3
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 6:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 6:3
Cambridge Bible on Judges 6:3
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 6:3
Sermons on Judges 6:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Trumpet Solo by James A. Stewart | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Gideon from the book of Judges. He begins by describing how the Midianites, Amalekites, and the children of the East gathered t |
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Hebrews 11:33-34 by Don McClure | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Gideon from the Bible. He emphasizes the battle that God has in our lives of bringing us to a place of obedience and building an |
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Christ, Our Identity by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that our identity as Christians is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, who is our family member and the foundation of our lives. He encourages believers |
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(Genesis) Genesis 29:1-5 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob's journey to the land of Heron. Jacob arrives at a well where three flocks of sheep are gathered to be watered. The preac |
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(Genesis) 45 - the Deceiver Deceived; or Jacob Learning the Justice of God by S. Lewis Johnson | S. Lewis Johnson explores the story of Jacob in Genesis 29, focusing on how Jacob, a deceiver, is deceived by Laban, his uncle. This chapter illustrates the justice of God as Jacob |
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Through the Bible - Genesis 29-31 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses Jacob's journey to Haran, where he meets Rachel at a well, showcasing God's guidance in his life. Jacob's love for Rachel leads him to work seven years for he |
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The Sheep by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook preaches about the significance of sheep and lambs in the Bible, highlighting how they are frequently mentioned and the beautiful descriptions given about them. She |







