Judges 7:21

“And they stood every man in his place around the camp, etc.] To see the salvation of God, and that it might most clearly appear to be his own doing; and indeed, had they gone into it, they could have done nothing; they had no weapons in their hands, a trumpet in one hand, and a lamp in the other; though this their position served to increase the terror of the enemy, who might suppose that they stood either to light and introduce a large army at the back of them; or to light the forces already in the midst of them, while they destroyed them; which latter seems rather to be the thing their imaginations were possessed with, since they fell to slaying their fellows, supposing them to be enemies,…”

“The effect to the Midianites would be, that they were surrounded by a mighty host. Their own camp being in darkness, as soon as the confusion of flight began they would mistake friends for foes, and fleers for pursuers. When once fighting had begun by the first casual mistake, the clashing of swords and the shouts of the combatants in the camp, accompanied by the continuous blowing of Gideon’s trumpets outside, would make it appear that the whole of the enemy was in the camp. Suspicion of treachery on the part of their allies would also be likely to arise in the minds of Midianites, Amalekites, and Arabs. Compare a similar scene in marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”

“They stood - As if they had been torch - bearers to the several companies. Judges 7:22”

“stood: Exo 14:13, Exo 14:14; Ch2 20:17; Isa 30:7, Isa 30:15 all the host: Exo 14:25; Kg2 7:6, Kg2 7:7; Job 15:21, Job 15:22; Pro 28:1 Judges 7:22”