Judges 6
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k The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of l Midian seven years.
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And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and m the caves and the strongholds.
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For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and n the Amalekites and o the people of the East would come up against them.
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They would encamp against them p and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey.
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For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come q like locusts in number - both they and their camels could not be counted - so that they laid waste the land as they came in.
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And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel r cried out for help to the Lord.
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When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites,
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the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: s I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage.
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And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and t drove them out before you and gave you their land.
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And I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God; u you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.' But you have not obeyed my voice."
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Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash v the Abiezrite, while his son w Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
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And x the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, y "The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor."
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And Gideon said to him, "Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are z all his wonderful deeds a that our fathers recounted to us, saying, 'Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian."
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And the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; b do not I send you?"
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And he said to him, c "Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, d my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
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And the Lord said to him, e "But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man."
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And he said to him, f "If now I have found favor in your eyes, then g show me a sign that it is you who speak with me.
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Please h do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you." And he said, "I will stay till you return."
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So Gideon went into his house i and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them.
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And the angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them j on this rock, and k pour the broth over them." And he did so.
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Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. l And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.
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Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, m "Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face."
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But the Lord said to him, n "Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die."
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Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, o The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at p Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.
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That night the Lord said to him, "Take your father's bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down q the Asherah that is beside it
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and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of the r stronghold here, with stones laid in due order. Then take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah that you shall cut down."
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So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.
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When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built.
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And they said to one another, "Who has done this thing?" And after they had searched and inquired, they said, "Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing."
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Then the men of the town said to Joash, "Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it."
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But Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down."
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Therefore on that day Gideon was called s Jerubbaal, that is to say, "Let Baal contend against him," because he broke down his altar.
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Now t all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and they crossed the Jordan and encamped in u the Valley of Jezreel.
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But v the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, w and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.
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x And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they too were called out to follow him. x And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.
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y Then Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said,
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behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said."
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And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.
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Then Gideon said to God, z "Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew."
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And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.
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Cross References
Judges 2:19
But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.
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Cross References
Genesis 25:2
She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
Numbers 25:17 - 18
Harass the Midianites and strike them down.
Habakkuk 3:7
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 13:6
When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns.
Hebrews 11:38
Of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
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Cross References
Judges 3:13
He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms.
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Cross References
Judges 6:33
Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites and t...
Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all t...
Judges 8:10
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with thei...
Genesis 29:1
Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the ...
1 Kings 4:30
So that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom o...
Job 1:3
He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yok...
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Cross References
Leviticus 26:16
Then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heart ache. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
Deuteronomy 28:30 - 33
You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall ravish her. You shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it. You shall plant a vineyard, but you shall not enjoy its fruit.
Deuteronomy 28:51
It shall eat the offspring of your cattle and the fruit of your ground, until you are destroyed; it also shall not leave you grain, wine, or oil, the increase of your herds or the young of your flock, until they have caused you to perish.
Micah 6:15
You shall sow, but not reap; you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine.
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Cross References
Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.
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Cross References
Judges 3:9
But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 10:18
And he said to the people of Israel, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.
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Cross References
Psalms 44:2 - 3
You with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free.
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Cross References
Joshua 24:15
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
2 Kings 17:35 - 38
The Lord made a covenant with them and commanded them, "You shall not fear other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them.
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Cross References
Judges 8:2
And he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?
Joshua 17:2
And allotments were made to the rest of the people of Manasseh by their clans, Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph, by their clans.
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Cross References
Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -
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Cross References
Judges 13:3
And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.
Luke 1:11
And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Acts 10:3
About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius.
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Cross References
Joshua 1:5
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
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Cross References
Psalms 89:49
Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?
Isaiah 63:15
Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me.
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Cross References
Psalms 44:1
O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
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Cross References
1 Samuel 12:11
And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
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Cross References
Exodus 3:11
But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?
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Cross References
1 Samuel 9:21
Saul answered, "Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?
1 Samuel 18:18
And David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?
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Cross References
Exodus 3:12
He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.
Joshua 1:5
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
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Cross References
Exodus 33:13
Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.
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Cross References
2 Kings 20:8 - 9
And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?
Isaiah 7:11
"Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."
Judges 6:36 - 37
Then Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.
Exodus 4:1 - 8
Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The Lord did not appear to you.'
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Cross References
Judges 13:15
Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, "Please let us detain you and prepare a young goat for you.
Genesis 18:3 - 5
And said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.
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Cross References
Genesis 18:6 - 8
And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.
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Cross References
Judges 13:19
So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord, to the one who works wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching.
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Cross References
1 Kings 18:33 - 34
And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.
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Cross References
Leviticus 9:24
And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
1 Kings 18:38
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
2 Chronicles 7:1
As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
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Cross References
Judges 13:21 - 22
The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord.
Genesis 32:30
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.
Exodus 33:20
But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.
Deuteronomy 5:26
For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived?
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Cross References
Daniel 10:19
And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.
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Cross References
Genesis 22:14
So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.
Exodus 17:15
And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner.
Ezekiel 48:35
The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.
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Cross References
Judges 6:11
Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
Judges 8:27
And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family.
Judges 8:32
And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
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Cross References
Judges 3:7
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
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Cross References
Daniel 11:7
And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail.
Daniel 11:10
His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress.
Daniel 11:31
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
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Cross References
Judges 7:1
Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
1 Samuel 12:11
And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety.
2 Samuel 11:21
Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' then you shall say, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'
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Cross References
Judges 6:3
For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them.
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Cross References
Joshua 17:16
The people of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.
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Cross References
Judges 3:10
The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim.
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Cross References
Judges 3:27
When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was their leader.
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Cross References
Judges 7:24
Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against the Midianites and capture the waters against them, as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan." So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan.
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Cross References
Judges 7:24
Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against the Midianites and capture the waters against them, as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan." So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan.
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Cross References
Judges 6:36 - 40
Then Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.
Exodus 4:1 - 7
Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The Lord did not appear to you.
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Cross References
Genesis 18:32
Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.