MPV Commentary

16-22. Gideon divided his 300 men into three groups to create the illusion that they were surrounding the enemy from all sides. The pitchers were empty and made of earthenware so they could be easily broken, allowing the torches inside to be revealed at the right moment. As the Israelites held up their lights, the loud sound of trumpets and their shouts filled the midnight air, creating a terrifying scene that was even more intense than usual due to the use of striking words.

The enemy soldiers were startled from their sleep; no blows were exchanged by the Israelites, but the Midianites fled in disarray, shouting wildly and fighting each other because they couldn't tell friend from foe. The panic spread quickly, and they soon fled down to the Jordan River, heading towards the mountains of Ephraim and specific locations known as Beth-shittah and Abel-meholah.

23. The Israelite forces gathered together, likely consisting of those who had been dismissed but lingered at a distance from the battle scene. They joined in the pursuit southwestward through the valley.

24-25. Gideon sent messengers throughout Mount Ephraim to gather their aid, as the Ephraimites were located to the south and could provide timely assistance. He instructed them to meet him at Beth-barah, a location near the northern fords of the Jordan River, east-northeast of Wadi Maleh.

The men of Ephraim gathered together and joined Gideon's forces at Beth-barah, leading to a new conflict in which two secondary leaders were captured and killed. The spots where they were taken were named after them: Oreb, meaning "Raven," and Zeeb, meaning "Wolf."