Matthew Poole and continuators on Judges 7:3

3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead : and there returned of the people twenty and two thousand , and there remained ten thousand.

Not that famous Mount Gilead which was beyond Iord[illegible: 1+ letters]; for it is apparent that both the Camps of the Israelites and of the Midianites were on this side Iordan: but another Mount Gilead in the Tribe of Manasseh; which might be so [illegible: 1+ letters]alled, either for some resemblance it had with the other Mount Gilead, in remembrance of their Father Gilead; or, that this might be a Memorial of their near relation to their Brethren, notwithstanding their being divided one from another by Iordan; or, for some other reason now unknown at this [illegible: 1+ letters]istance of Time and Place. Or, the words may be rendred towards Mount Gilead; for the Hebrew Particle, min, or mem, is sometimes rendred towards, of which see Gen. 11. 2. and 13. 11. Deut. 32. 2. 2 Sam. 6. 2. And so it may be understood of the famous Mount Gilead, beyond Iordan, which he may mention here, either, 1. Because many of his Soldiers were of that half Tribe of Manasseh which dwelt there, and so it was most proper for them to return thither: Or, 2. Because that was their safest course, to get furthest from the danger which they feared; Or, 3. Because though he would remove them from danger, yet he would not have them dispersed, but kept together in a Body about Mount Gilead; knowing that they who had not Courage enough to Fight their Enemies, might have Va[illegible: 1+ letters]our enough to Pursue them, when they were beaten by others; and suspecting, That the Midianites, if beaten, would probably flee that way.

Who finding their whole Army to be very small, in comparison of their Enemies, who were a Hundred Thirty Five Thousand, Iudg. 8. 10. and they, no doubt well Armed and Disciplined, and encouraged by song Success; whereas the Israelites were dis-spirited with long Servitude, and many of them unfurnished with Arms and Provisions; lost the Courage which in the beginning they seemed to have.

Marginal references: Deut. 20. 6.