The Meaning of Judges 6:34 Explained

Judges 6:34

KJV: But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

YLT: and the Spirit of Jehovah hath clothed Gideon, and he bloweth with a trumpet, and Abi-Ezer is called after him;

Darby: But the Spirit of the LORD took possession of Gideon; and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiez'rites were called out to follow him.

ASV: But the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered together after him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But the Spirit  of the LORD  came  upon Gideon,  and he blew  a trumpet;  and Abiezer  was gathered  after  him. 

What does Judges 6:34 Mean?

Context Summary

Judges 6:28-40 - Beginning Reform At Home
The good sense of Joash saved his son. "Of what use is Baal to us," said he, "if he cannot take care of himself?" Gideon had stood the divine test; can you wonder that the Spirit of Jehovah, whom we know as the Holy Spirit, came upon Gideon and wrought mightily through his submitted life? Oh, to be pliant to the Spirit of Christ, as clothes to the body! With heroic courage he blew the trumpet of revolt, regardless of Midian, and at its notes the whole country aroused as from the spell of a bad enchantment.
But amid the excitement of the hour, the young leader craved one more assurance. He asked two questions. Was it possible that the Spirit had come on him in an especial manner? The answer was in the affirmative, for the fleece-which represented himself-contained a bowlful of water, while the floor was dry. Was it possible, also, that the same Spirit that had come on himself would descend on the people who should gather to his summons? Again the answer was in the affirmative, for the floor was wet. God's promises are always "Yea" and "Amen." He cannot fail you. See 2 Corinthians 1:18-22. [source]

Chapter Summary: Judges 6

1  The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian
8  A prophet rebukes them
11  An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance
17  Gideon's present is consumed with fire
24  Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom
28  Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal
33  Gideon's army
36  Gideon's signs

What do the individual words in Judges 6:34 mean?

But the Spirit of Yahweh came upon - Gideon then he blew the trumpet and gathered the Abiezrites behind him
וְר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֔ה לָבְשָׁ֖ה אֶת־ גִּדְע֑וֹן וַיִּתְקַע֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיִזָּעֵ֥ק‪‬‪‬ אֲבִיעֶ֖זֶר אַחֲרָֽיו

וְר֣וּחַ  But  the  Spirit 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, common singular construct
Root: רוּחַ  
Sense: wind, breath, mind, spirit.
יְהוָ֔ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
לָבְשָׁ֖ה  came  upon 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: לָבַשׁ  
Sense: to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
גִּדְע֑וֹן  Gideon 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: גִּדְעֹון  
Sense: youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites.
וַיִּתְקַע֙  then  he  blew 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: תֹּוקְעִים 
Sense: to blow, clap, strike, sound, thrust, give a blow, blast.
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר  the  trumpet 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֹׁופָר  
Sense: horn, ram’s horn.
וַיִזָּעֵ֥ק‪‬‪‬  and  gathered 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: זָעַק  
Sense: to cry, cry out, call, call for help.
אֲבִיעֶ֖זֶר  the  Abiezrites 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִיעֶזֶר  
Sense: a Manassite, called “son” of Gilead, also son of Gilead’s sister.
אַחֲרָֽיו  behind  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).