Verse 4:[1] And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
[He crossed it] Objection: But he was already on the other side of Jordan, Judges 7:25. Response: Therefore, there is a hysterology[2] here (Lapide). Those things preceding were narrated proleptically, so that all the things that had regard to the Ephraimites might be related at the same time. Or, in the place of, he crossed, translate it, he had crossed (Bonfrerius).
Passed over, or, had passed over: when he passed over, see on Judges 7:25.
Verse 5: And he said unto the men of (Gen. 33:17; Ps. 60:6) Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
[And he said to the men of Succoth] This place was thus named after the tabernacles of Jacob, Genesis 33:17;[3] and he was on the other side of Jordan in the tribe of Gad. Therefore, Gideon crossed where the greater Jordan begins, and emerges from the lake of Gennesaret (Bonfrerius).
Succoth; a place beyond Jordan, Genesis 33:17; Joshua 13:27; Psalm 60:6.
[Give, I pray you, loaves of bread, כִּכְּר֣וֹת לֶ֔חֶם[4]] Cakes (spreadings [Junius and Tremellius], balls [Tigurinus]) of bread (Montanus); morsels of bread, loaves (Vatablus). Note: 1. he does not ask arms, supplies of men, luxuries, etc., but bread. 2. One made a General and conqueror was able to command; but he humbles himself, and entreats. 3. He is more concerned for his men than for himself, Give to the people, etc. (Serarius). He asked this of Israelites, whose inhumanity was hence the more grievous, and who were obliged willingly to offer all succor (Bonfrerius).
[To the people that are with me, אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּרַגְלָ֑י] That is in my feet (Montanus), or, at my feet (Junius); that is with me (Jonathan, Syriac, Arabic); that I lead with me (Vatablus); that follow my footsteps (Junius, Bonfrerius).
[Kings of Midian] Do not be surprise that here there are multiple petty kings of the Midianites, of whose number those two former, Oreb and Zeeb, are thought also to have been: For, in Numbers 31:8 there are five Kings of Midian; and in Canaan there were more than thirty petty kings (Bonfrerius). [See what things are on Numbers 31:8.]
Kings of Midian; where before this time were five kings at once, Numbers 31:8, who either reigned separately in divers parts of the land, or governed by common counsel and consent, as sometimes there were two or three Roman emperors together.
[1] Hebrew: וַיָּבֹ֥א גִדְע֖וֹן הַיַּרְדֵּ֑נָה עֹבֵ֣ר ה֗וּא וּשְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ עֲיֵפִ֖ים וְרֹדְפִֽים׃
[2] That is, a dischronologization.
[3] Genesis 33:17: “And Jacob journeyed to Succoth (סֻכֹּתָה), and built him an house, and made booths (סֻכֹּת) for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth (סֻכּוֹת).”
[4] כִּכָּר signifies a round; in this case, a round loaf.
William Jay's Morning Exercises: '"... Yet pursuing."—Judges 8:4
The life and experience of the Christian are full of contrasts. He resembles the bush of Moses, which was seen burning, but not consumed. [Exodus 3:2] And his language is, Cast down, but not destroyed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as dying, and behold, we live. [2 Corinthians 6:9] We are now viewing him as a soldier. In our last page we saw him faint, but we shall now find him, amidst all that is grievous, feeling no disposition to give up. Faint, yet pursuing.
And there is much to encourage and animate him. There is something in himself, and which is nothing less than a principle of divine grace. Everything else will…
William Jay's Morning Exercises: '"Faint—"—Judges 8:4
What war is there that has in it nothing to depress, nothing to animate, and that does not furnish a diversity of feelings in those who carry it on?
Christians resemble these followers of Gideon and pursuers of the Amalekites—faint, yet pursuing.
Yes; while engaged in this good fight of faith, they may be, faint. We need not wonder at this, if we consider the enemies they have to vanquish. These are, bodily appetites, filthiness of spirit, a depraved nature, all sin and error, the present evil world, [Galatians 1:4] the devil, and his angels. [Matthew 25:41] If we also consider the qualities of their adversaries, their number, their malignity, their power, their policy,…
Robert Hawker's Poor Man's Portion: '"Faint, yet pursuing."—Judges 8:4
Surely what is said here concerning the little army of Gideon, suits my case exactly. I know that in Jesus the victory is certain; but I know also, that I shall have battlings all the way. From the moment that the Lord called me out of darkness into his marvellous light, my whole life hath been but a state of warfare; and I feel what Paul felt, and groan as he groaned, under a body of sin and death; "as sorrowful, yet rejoicing; as dying, but behold I live; as chastened, and not killed." Truly I am faint, under the many heavy assaults I have sustained; and yet, through grace, pursuing…
Matthew Henry: '[Gideon's] firmness was very exemplary. He effected his purpose under the greatest disadvantages and discouragements that could be. (1.) He took none with him but his 300 men, who now laid aside their trumpets and torches, and betook themselves to their swords and spears. God had said, By these 300 men will I save you (Judges 7:7); and, confiding in that promise, Gideon kept to them only, Judges 8:4. He expected more from 300 men, supported by a particular promise, than from so many thousands supported only by their own valour. (2.) They were faint, and yet pursuing, much fatigued with what they had done, and yet eager to do more against the enemies of their country. Ou…